Marantz Model 30 & SACD 30n

In 2017, Marantz set out on a mission to reposition its future in the world of high-end audio. By looking at its storied history, the team modernized all aspects of the brand. Taking inspiration from legendary products like the original Audio Consolette, Model 30, Model 2250, and Model 9 amplifier, the new Model 30 and SACD 30n embrace elements of classic Marantz design and marry them with a thoroughly modern approach to construction and materials. Both new products offer the first look at the future for Marantz. "Our main goal in updating Marantz was to effectively capture the timelessness, musicality, and passion the brand has brought to the world for nearly 70 years. This is why we dove into the brand's history first to design the Model 30 and SACD 30n. We knew these new products and their successors had to continue refining that classic Marantz sound, but also deliver fresh new aesthetics and build quality that contemporary enthusiasts could love. The result is a familiar, yet entirely new Marantz ID and an exciting listening experience that delivers on the Marantz promise of the most musical sound." - said Joel Sietsema, SVP of Brand at Sound United, parent company to Marantz.

Led by meticulous Marantz Sound Masters and an approach to sound passed down through generations of experts, contemporary technical innovation and Hi-Fi tradition are combined to create Model 30. The all-analog design features a fully discrete two-stage build, with independent power supplies for the pre-amplifier and power amplifier. The power supply circuit, designed exclusively for the preamplifier, enables a stable power supply unaffected by fluctuations from power demanded by the power amplifier stage. An oversized toroidal transformer is dedicated exclusively for the preamp to ensure high purity while a double shield steel case is mounted around the transformer to suppress the leakage flux that could generate noise in peripheral circuits.

The power supply for the power amplifier stage delivers high current instantaneously to the switching mode amplifier. This ensures maximum control over any connected speakers to follow even the hardest bass attacks and provides clean power for the reproduction of the finest details. The result is absolute signal purity and exceptional audio quality. The amplifier also features a moving coil and moving magnet phono stage - complete with Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ circuit and Marantz HDAM technology - for top-of-the-line performance. The Phono EQ stage in the Model 30 amplifier can be used with both moving magnet and low-output moving coil cartridges, thanks to a built-in MC head amplifier. Distortion is reduced using two-stage amplification in the phono stage, and Marantz HDAMs are combined with JFETs (junction field-effect transistors) in the input stage, giving high input impedance. The exclusion of coupling capacitors further simplifies the design, reducing signal distortion, and enhancing signal purity. Further, Model 30 is equipped with an input impedance selector, which can be adjusted to three different settings "MC Low (33 Ohm), MC MID (100 ohm) and MC HIGH (390 ohm)," which further optimizes sound performance when using a moving coil or magnetic moving cartridge. Model 30 continues Marantz's tradition of using its proprietary discrete circuit design boards—Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAMs)—to replace chip-based amps and offer the most musical, accurate, and detailed sound possible. Leveraging curated discrete surface mount components with short mirror-image left and right signal paths, the HDAMs dramatically outperform regular integrated Op-amps to achieve exceptional sound quality and performance.

The new SACD 30n draws on the Marantz proprietary SACDM-3L transport mechanism, engineered solely for the best possible performance when playing SACDs, CDs, and music stored on data discs. It is also built to meet the requirements of the modern music enthusiast who wants access to existing file collections or to the leading streaming services. Leveraging the HEOS Built-in platform, SACD 30n combines a premium CD/SACD player with a modern digital source's hub, a USB-DAC, and a built-in preamplifier. With HEOS Built-in, SACD 30n can stream FLAC files from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz at up to 24-bit resolution, DSD 2.8 MHz, and DSD 5.6 MHz, ALAC (Apple Lossless), and MP3 files from major streaming providers, including Amazon Music HD, Tidal and others. HEOS Built-in also allows for greater listening flexibility and access, including a variety of voice-enabled technologies, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri to easily play music, skip tracks, and more.

SACD 30n relies on Marantz's proprietary Marantz Musical Mastering (MMM-Stream converter and MMM-Conversion stage) for optimal digital audio conversion. PCM inputs are up-converted to DSD at 11.2 MHz using the MMM-Stream converter within the player. The high-frequency signal produced is processed by the MMM-Conversion stage (used in place of a conventional DAC) to produce the analog output. Two system clocks ensure the most accurate up-conversion of the incoming signal, whether it's from the disc or digital inputs, ranging from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz. The design of the DSD-to-analogue converter feeds into the familiar Marantz HDAM in the output stage for optimal sound quality. In addition, the headphone amplifier used in the SACD 30n features a dedicated amplifier module using exclusive Marantz HDAM-SA2 circuitry with an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio. To work with a wider variety of headphones, the gain factor can be adjusted to three established presets - low, mid and high - making it possible to drive high impedance headphones. The Marantz Model 30 Integrated Amplifier (€3000/£2700) and SACD 30n Network Audio Streamer & SACD Player (€3000/£2700) are available at authorized Marantz retailers. Info and photos by Marantz.