Disc Players

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