Marantz SA-10 - SACD/CD Player With USB DAC And Digital Inputs

The onboard transport mechanism is engineered to provide enhanced performance when playing SACDs, CDs, and music stored on data discs, including DVD-ROMs, allowing you to create high-resolution audio compilation discs using your computer's DVD burner. It can play FLAC files from 44.1 to 192 kHz at up to 24-bit resolution, DSD 2.8 MHz, DSD 5.6 MHz, ALAC (Apple Lossless), AIFF, and MP3 files.

The built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) lets you convert music stored on your computer, and the digital inputs enable the SA10 to pass audio from existing source components. The optical and digital coaxial inputs can handle files at up to 192 kHz / 24-bit; a USB-B asynchronous input allows for the direct connection of your computer and supports PCM and DXD files at up to 384 kHz / 32-bit, as well as DSD 2.8 MHz, DSD 5.6 MHz, and DSD 11.2 MHz.

Further, the digital input section is completely isolated to help it avoid electrical noise from connected components, which is common when a computer is used as a source. The SA10 also uses 1-bit conversion and incorporates filtering and upconversion technologies.

PCM and DXD inputs are upconverted to DSD at 11.2 MHz using the onboard MMM-Stream converter, and the high-frequency signal produced is processed by the MMM-Conversion stage, rather than a conventional DAC, to produce the analog output.

MMM-Stream replaces the oversampling filters normally used in D/A conversion and allows the implementation of the Marantz Musical Mastering filtering. One provides a slow roll-off and short impulse response, and the other offers the option of a medium roll-off with short pre-ringing and longer post-ringing.

Two system clocks are used to help ensure accurate upconversion of the incoming signal, whether it's from a disc or the digital inputs. The 44.1 kHz of CD, and its multiples (88.2 kHz, 176.4 kHz, etc.) are upsampled to 11.2896 MHz, while 48 kHz and its multiples are brought up to 12.288 MHz to help achieve enhanced precision and to avoid sample rate conversions along the line of, for instance, 192 kHz to DSD 12.2 MHz.

All the conversion is done within the DSP with 32-bit floating-point precision, rather than the 24-bit integer method used in legacy systems.

Combining the onboard conversion technology with the reduction to a 1-bit signal immediately after the oversampling filter and Sigma Delta Modulation allows a nearly pure DSD-standard signal to be passed to the conversion section as a high-frequency stream of pulses, requiring only a low-pass filter to remove the superfluous high frequencies and pass virtually pure audio to the output stage.

The headphone amplifier is built from discrete components to help produce augmented sound quality.

The SA10 features a double-layered copper-plated chassis for enhanced rejection of mechanical and electrical interference, casework made from non-magnetic aluminum panels with a 0.197" thick top lid, and aluminum feet.

The SA10 uses a toroidal transformer designed to produce less vibration and magnetic leakage flux compared to non-toroidal transformers. The short-ring attached to its perimeter further helps reduce magnetic leakage flux.

A 4700 μF block capacitor is incorporated into the power supply circuit to help enhance acoustics. Additionally, film and electrolytic capacitors are installed.

The HDAM SA2 amplifier helps provide high-quality sound reproduction during private listening.

To help prevent audio quality from degrading due to noise from external devices, the ground circuit for the USB input interface is isolated from the audio circuit.

When the USB DAC, digital coaxial, or optical inputs are selected, the SA10 shuts off the optical drive.

To help minimize noise from peripheral circuitry, the SA10 features a function that turns off the digital output circuit, display, and illumination lamp.

You can switch between two types of filter characteristics during playback in the CD/DAC modes for enjoying different shadings of the music.

You can play audio files stored on your USB drive or compatible iOS device via the USB port.

• Filter circuit designed for low noise and distortion
• High-speed HDAM SA2-type output amplifier
• Machined analog audio connectors