Marantz SACD 30n/Model 30 SACD/Network Player/Amp Lab Report

Lab Report

Employing the same Ncore NC500 Class D amp module as the PM-KI Ruby [HFN Jan '19] and PM-12SE [HFN Nov '20], the performance of the restyled Model 30 is necessarily very similar. Once again, the modest 100/200W 8/4ohm rating is exceeded to the tune of 200W/330W, with 240W, 445W, 577W and 315W achieved under dynamic conditions into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads [see Graph 1, below]. And, again, the Class D module's reactive filter network causes both an increase in output impedance and distortion at very high frequencies (to 0.035%/20kHz/10W) but the response remains unaffected by loading, reaching out to –0.6dB/20kHz and –5.7dB/100kHz. The 81.3dB A-wtd S/N ratio is perhaps 1dB better than measured via the PM-12SE but still 4-5dB below that of the 'average' integrated.

Marantz's partnering SACD 30n disc/network player mirrors the SA-12SE, offering a maximum 2.0V output (2.5V with SACD) coupled with a healthy 108dB A-wtd S/N ratio and distortion that's just 0.0001-0.0006% (20Hz-20kHz), falling to a minimum of 0.00006% over the top 10dB of its dynamic range [see Graph 2, below]. The response (and stopband rejection) depends on your choice of digital filter: 'Filter 1' is a linear phase, slow roll-off type that trades minimal pre/post ringing against a mere 4.0dB image rejection and a roll-off of –4.9dB/20kHz (CD), –7.3dB/45kHz (96kHz files) and –14.1dB/90kHz (192kHz files). 'Filter 2', a corrected minimum-phase 'fast' type has a flatter response trend reaching out to –1.45dB/20kHz, –4.9dB/45kHz and –20.5dB/90kHz. SACD/DSD64 media stretch out to –0.7dB/20kHz, –3.0dB/50kHz and –13dB/100kHz. Jitter is low with 24-bit LPCM inputs and SACD/DSD64 alike at 55psec. PM

221marantz.lab1

Dynamic power output versus distortion into 8ohm (black trace), 4ohm (red), 2ohm (blue) and 1ohm (green) speaker loads. Max. current is 17.7A

221marantz.lab2

THD vs. digital signal level at 1kHz (USB, red; CD, black) and 20kHz (CD, blue). Note extended Y scale

Continuous power (<1% THD, 8/4ohm) 199W / 329W
Dynamic power (<1% THD, 8/4/2/1ohm) 240W / 445W / 577W / 315W
Amp freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz/100kHz) +0.0 to –0.60dB/–5.7dB
CD freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz, Filter 1/2) +0.0 to –4.85dB/–1.45dB
Digital jitter (CD / USB / SACD) 130psec / 55psec / 55psec
A-wtd S/N ratio (Player/Amp) 108.1dB (0dBFs) / 81.3dB (0dBW)
Distortion (20Hz-20kHz; Player/Amp) 0.0001-0.0006%/0.0009–0.011%
Power consumption (Player/Amp) 27W / 260W (40W idle)
Dimensions (WHD, Player/Amp) 440x123x419/453mm
Price £2700 (each)

COMPANY INFO
Sound United/D&M Holdings
Kanagawa, Japan
Supplied by: D&M Audiovisual Ltd, UK
02890 279830
ARTICLE CONTENTS

X