Marantz Best-Ever Model 10/SACD 10/Link 10 Gramophone

[@raykuiper4979]

It is very nice to notice, Marantz is returning to the quality Marantz had in the 70 ties. A piece of gear you like to look at. And sounds very good and a sublime build quality. It is as well good, you can play the new gear with the vintage Marantz gear

[@GramophoneMD]

Yes Ray! Pair a vintage Marantz power amp with the Link 10n and have a great time 🙂

[@Finn-FrenchGaming]

Will the Model 10 work in 2 Ohms? At this price there is also Luxman's L-509Z, and Classé must not be forgotten. Marantz is up against some serious competition. Is the sound restrained a bit, or designed to be good with rock? Some think the PM-10 was restrained with some types of music. If the Link 10 works as a preamplifier, what would you recommend as a power amplifier?

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Finn, Marantz recommends speaker impedance as 4 - 16 ohms. With a 4 ohm speaker that occasionally dips to 2 ohms, you should be fine. If your speakers are rated at 2 ohms nominal (not many are) we'd suggest another amp. We think you'll be very happy with the sound on rock n roll. Re Link 10n, any good quality amp should work. As this is a $12k preamplifier / streamer, let's make sure it's a good one! We're happy to help you choose wisely, so please reach out to us: [e-mail]

[@techsamurai11]

The Model 10 is probably the most impressive piece of separate gear in a single chassis that I've seen the insides of. There's something to be said for having this kind of quality and performance in a small box. We often see these massive racks of electronics and you know they cannot go into anyone's living room unless it's the size of Texas and some need to sit on the ground cause they are too heavy or big for shelves and require you having a listening room which defeats the purpose since you need a separate room and it's a lonely isolated experience that music should never be. Interesting to hear that Marantz is building its own Purifi amplifiers and DACs - Sony was also building some parts for its new AVRs so it seems that there's a realization by manufacturers that not everything is equal. I wonder if that will make it into other products and your home theater lineups down the road since home theater is also very capable of stereo music nowadays and it's near impossible to integrate 2 channel with multi-channel space-saving solutions. In general, Marantz has always tried to be minimalist and respective of premium real estate in cabinets. Expensive for sure - a 50% increase over the outgoing PM-10 (inflation accounts for 3 grand there) but there's a clear difference between them. I'm going to nitpick here. I'm not a designer but shouldn't the heatsink in the bottom left of the Model 10 be facing outwards with the parts mirrored which they really seem to be except for the heatsinks? Sorry, the design is so symmetrical that I couldn't help but notice that.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Tech! From what Gary says, Marantz engineers actually worked along with Purifi to develop modules that are custom to the Model 10. Can you share what part of the video you're questioning re the heatsink? You said the PM-10 but you may be thinking Model 10.

[@techsamurai11]

@@GramophoneMD Yes, thank you for the correction. I did mean Model 10 and edited the comment. It's at 3:25. The heatsink for one channel is not facing outwards like the other one.

[@nexus4googleplay612]

I was so hoping the Link 10n would have room correction.

[@Egofileo1]

It would have really been the icing on the cake, even if to keep up with the competition it would have required at least 2 independent subwoofer outputs (better 4 obviously).

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks Nexus for your comment

[@bossoli60]

Very surprise of this and while Ken left the ship,the boat still floats wow.I have kept my PM11 for years now😊

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks for our comment Boss 🙂

[@hans-ingo3039]

I do not understand the concept. If I buy a Model 10 together with the Link 10, I get two complete preamplifier sections including phono inputs. This appears unnecessarily redundant. And we still get the bad HEOS platform, that still does not support Qobuz. Otherwise nice gear.

[@richardsaila8073]

@@hans-ingo3039 Yes. Model 10 could be interesting if it can SQ wise match the big boys in the same price range from Accuphase, Luxman, Hegel etc. But that redundant preamp, baked together with an unknown DAC and Heos (!) streamer? No way!

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Hans, you are correct that if you buy a Link 10n, you only need a good power amp to have a complete system. There are folks who will want the Model 10 integrated amp who already have a good streaming solution. If you purchase both Link 10n and Model 10 integrated, you have some preamp redundancy

[@hans-ingo3039]

@@GramophoneMD You are right, but aren‘t these components not designed to be sold „together“?

[@henryradtka5480]

I totally agree with you, why introduce the LINK 10 as a preamp! I already have an outstanding preamp, McIntosh C12000. If the LINK 10 was a stand alone DAC and music server, I would be seriously considering purchasing the unit! Big screwup by Marantz! What were they thinking! The Model 10 should have been a power amplifier. 😮

[@GramophoneMD]

@@hans-ingo3039 Hello Hans, yes and no. We envision many customers who are happy with their current disc player, or who don't own one, would buy Model 10 integrated amp and be really happy with it. Those who haven't upgraded their disc player might well buy both. Similarly the Link 10n and SACD 10 make a great pairing. All 3 are great products, but aren't necessarily intended to all sell together, though they will make a great system if you buy all 3

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Seductive! The simplicity of form. Good to see a direct comparison side to side with the existing PM-10 & SA-10. If only I had the cash and could justify such an extravagant purchase. Will the upgrade really be a spectacular step up form the current PM-10/SA-10? What speakers to pair with the kit for the perfect system?

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Knock, we haven't heard these side by side with PM-10 and SA-10, but safe to say they will outperform them both on the test bench and in listening. Speakers - so many choices! We hope you can make it to our Experience Center here in Maryland to audition some of the finest 🙂

[@techsamurai11]

I was thinking the same. Obviously, it's meant to pair flagship speakers from B&W and other manufacturers. We can forget the 700 series including the 702 S3 Signature which goes for $9k. The minimum for the PM-10 would be the 802 D4 ($31k) or 801 D4 ($55k). Either way, you're looking at a $50-$100k system which you'd expect from these brands. Wait I forgot cables ... Double those amounts 🙂 Just kidding, but McIntosh has some crazy cable prices and they are not the only ones.

[@anhy10ful]

Marantz Model 10 (No DAC) vs McIntosh MA12000 (With DAC). Both are the same price range. Which one is the most bang for your buck?

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello ANHY, thank you for your question. Both integrated amps are very powerful and great sounding. Both are also extremely well built - the phrase "like a tank" comes to mind, and you can't go wrong either way. Please feel free to reach out to us and we'll help you sort through which might be best for you, starting with which speakers you are planning to drive: [e-mail]

[@richardsaila8073]

Does it make any sense to combine the amp with the network player? I mean then you pay twice for the preamp?

[@dorningarts]

I do not think the integrated amp has any digital at all

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Richard, yes, they will work great together. But as you say, you can pair the Link 10n with just a power amp rather than an integrated,, and you'll have a great sounding 2 channel system

[@richardsaila8073]

@@dorningarts I am talking about the analog domain. Link 10n has a preamp hence a volume control, and that would be redundant connecting both together. Of course you could connect Link 10n to the main input of Model 10 and use the pre input of the latter for another source.

[@techsamurai11]

@@richardsaila8073 I found that interesting that it had its own custom DAC and would work with an amp. I didn't even notice the volume control. I guess you're right and it would increase the cost but it also offers flexibility down the road if you decide to change your amplification (I can't think why). Also, anyone buying these is not really concerned about the extra cost, I would feel. Their 2 speakers have to cost more right?

[@madcrabber1113]

lol 70 year history explained in detail would be nice. Who owns it now? Where and in which plant using which parts were used and are now used? Simply charging more under a name/s just sounds pretty.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Madcrabber, the best evaluation is to sit with some of your favorite music and hear what these beauties are capable of 🙂

[@TheMeridian808]

Thank God we can all afford it!

[@GramophoneMD]

Yes, with a mighty fine collection of products like these, we can all have something to aspire to 🙂

[@low42g]

I love Marantz, but I don't understand why they're sourcing capacitors from Su'scon for these top-end components. With their budget, they could have chosen Nichicon, Nippon Chemicon, Kemet, Cornell Dubilier, Rubycon, Panasonic, Mundorf or Vishay. But Su'scon? What's next, Teapo?

[@Philear4124]

HI, will there also be a power amp? Grtz Phil

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Phil, so far there has been no comment about that from Marantz, so the short term answer is no. But we're jazzed that they are bringing out new flagship product, such as these and the Cinema 30 about 6 months ago

[@ptg01]

Bring back the Model 8 and Model 9 !!!

[@GramophoneMD]

Thanks PTG, great products from Marantz' great history

[@gw_tube]

Any comparison acording SQ to NAD M33 (with Purify section too)?

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi GW ,we also sell NAD, but as we haven't received the Model 10 Collection as yet, we can't directly compare. Based on what we saw and heard at the show, and the significant price difference, we'd say that this is a cut above

[@junior-OG]

home theater bypass on link 10 or model 10 ?

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Junior, we don't see a specific reference to HT bypass on Model 10, but we haven't received ours as yet, either. Re the Link 10n, we don't as yet have any detailed information, but it should not be too long now either

[@raynewcomb337]

weight of model 10 amp? 4 ohm stable?

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Ray, the Model 10 integrated weighs 33.7kg, or just over 74 lbs - so yes, it's a beast. It is 4 ohm stable with 500 wpc into 4 ohms

[@alainduquenois3812]

Un monstre de technologie

[@GramophoneMD]

Gracias Alain!

[@Prometheus1979]

The problem with class D is it’s the cheapest class to build, but they all charge like it’s class A or A/B prices. It’s all off the shelf parts with no R&D into class D. It’s just greed.

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Prometheus, thank you for your comment. As Gary detailed, the amplifier is not an off the shelf chip, but a dual development project between Purify and Marantz, with Purify's expertise in switch mode amplifiers and Marantz' engineering team on the audio circuitry and power supply. Model 10 took years to design and build

[@meesmo4]

Does Marantz know the kind of competition they are up against in this price range? Just compare that flimsy looking D&M transport to Esoteric's transport in the same price range. This is hilarious

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you for your comment, meesmo. Marantz put in a lot of research before introducing these models. In the end, listening to both would be a good way to judge them

[@sergejschuurman2633]

Class D by Marantz is 🙏🙏🙏

[@GramophoneMD]

Thank you Serge!

[@richardzedman1160]

class D ill pass

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Richard, many folks have the same reaction. But class D always meant poor sound 25 years ago, and like other technologies, a lot has changed with time. This amp sounds fabulous. We hope you get to audition this, and a number of other high-end amps using class D, before making a final decision

[@hiredfox52]

I noiced how quickly you skipped over the technical description of the SACD-10. Presumably this is because the new player is little more than the old SA-10 in a new suit of clothes? Like the look but I also like the look of my old SA-10. Conclusion? No need to change as unlikely Marantz can improve on the old Ken Ishiwata neasr perfect sound of the SA-10

[@GramophoneMD]

Hello Hired, thank you for your comment, and congratulations! The SA-10 is an outstanding disc player - great sounding, and excellent build quality. But there are many differences with SACD-10; upgraded transport, upgraded DAC, dual power supplies / transformers, upgraded PCB boards, etc. This may not be enough for someone who's already happy with the fine SA-10 to move up, but there is a lot to get excited about with the SACD-10.

[@michaelford8986]

@@GramophoneMD I also noticed the lack of technical info about the SACD 10 on this, and other Marantz videos, and came to the same conclusion as @hiredfox52. It's always the piece that they talk about the least. I strongly suspect that the differences between the SA-10 and SACD 10 will be almost purely cosmetic. True, the SACD 10 has dual power supplies, but does it really have an upgraded transport and DAC (MMM)? If so, why hasn't Gary Dayton said anything about that on any of these promo videos? I would have thought that if there were any substantive differences then Marantz would have pointed them out!

[@darrylfleet3773]

That Model 10 Collection Is Impeccable 😂 Yes Indeed This Will Be 1 Of My Christmas Gift's 🎉 To My Self 😂 Ha Ha Ha Yep ❤

[@GramophoneMD]

Merry Christmas Darryl!

[@darrylfleet3773]

@GramophoneMD Lol Thank You Because I Will Most Definitely Have The New Model ( 10 ) As Soon As You Guy's Start Selling It In Your Store Ha Ha Ha GRAMOPHONE 4 Ever Lol Yes Indeed

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Not powerful enough 😮 Coda v3 800w@4ohms

[@GramophoneMD]

Hi Carl, it's true that the Coda has even more power. But it's also true that Model 10 @ 500 wpc into 4 ohm loads will drive pretty much every speaker we sell to more than satisfying levels in most homes