SA-10

It Starts with the Disc

(P)Whether playing SACDs, CDs, or other data discs containing music, it's vital that any player retrieves the information as accurately as possible: unlike a computer reading a disc for ripping, there's no time for repeated re-scans when playing music - it happens in real time, so the disc transport needs to get things right first time.(/P) (P)Many modern CD and SACD players use computer-style DVD or 'universal' disc drives, simply because it's increasingly difficult for manufacturers to source dedicated 'music drives', purely designed for SACD/CD playback. The Marantz solution? If you can t buy it off the shelf, design it and have it made: at the heart of the SA-10 is an all-new SACD-M3 transport mechanism, engineered solely for the best possible experience.(BR)(BR)Not only does this new mechanism promise the very best sound quality from conventional CD and SACD discs, its extended ability with the playback of music files stored on DVD-ROM discs makes it possible for users to create their own high-resolution audio compilation discs using a computer DVD burner. The SA-10 can play FLAC files from 44.1kHz to 192kHz/24-bit resolution, and DSD2.8MHz and DSD5.6MHz, well as ALAC (Apple Lossless), AIFF and MP3 files through USB. That means making and playing hi-res disc compilations is now just as simple as it s always been to make such discs in CD quality.(/P)

CDs, SACDs and Beyond

(P)The SA-10 goes so much further than just disc playback: it's also a fully-functional digital-to-analog converter for music stored on a home computer, as well as having conventional digital inputs for existing source components. Those conventional inputs - optical and coaxial - can handle your music files up to 192kHz/24bit.(/P) (P)In addition the player's digital input section includes a USB-B asynchronous input for the direct connection of a computer, and this is compatible with PCM and DXD music files at up to 384kHz/32-bit, as well as DSD2.8MHz, DSD5.6MHz and DSD11.2MHz.(BR)(BR)That means the SA-10 is not only equipped to handle all the commonly-available high-resolution audio formats available, but also the ultra-high-resolution files becoming available from a number of specialist labels and outlets. In other words, the SA-10 player is entirely futureproof.(BR)(BR)What's more, the digital input section is completely isolated, to avoid any electrical noise from connected components - a particular problem when computers are used as a source - from finding its way into the signal-path.(/P)

More than just a DAC

(P)The SA-10 takes things further - just as it features an all-new disc transport mechanism, so the digital to analog conversion has also been subject to a radical rethink, taking full advantage of the 1-bit conversion technology found in past flagship Marantz players, and incorporating brand-new filtering and up-conversion to take advantage of this simple, but elegant solution. (/P)

Marantz Musical Mastering

(P)DSD is at the heart of the way the SA-10 handles digital audio: PCM and DXD inputs are all upconverted to DSD at 11.2MHz using the proprietary MMM-Stream converter within the player, and then the high-frequency signal produced is processed by the unique MMM-Conversion stage, used in place of a conventional DAC, to produce the analog output.(/P) (P)The MMM-Stream section of the process replaces the oversampling filters normally used in digital to analog conversion and allows the implementation of the Marantz Musical Mastering filtering. These filters - one providing a slow roll-off and very short impulse response, the other offering the option of a medium roll-off with short pre-ringing and longer post-ringing - are essentially the same as those found in the Marantz SA-11 disc player and NA-11 network music player, but here they're implemented at a much higher oversampling rate, thanks to that up-conversion to DSD11.2.(BR)(BR)In fact, two system clocks are used, to ensure the most accurate up-conversion of the incoming signal, whether its from disc or the digital inputs: the 44.1kHz of CD, and its multiples - 88.2kHz, 176.4kHz and so on - are up-sampled to 11.2896MHz, while 48kHz and its multiples are taken up to 12.288MHz. This is done for maximum precision, and to avoid any need for sample rate conversion of the kind were the system to have to convert, say, 192kHz audio to DSD11.2MHz.(BR)(BR)In addition, all of this conversion is now done in Digital Signal Processing with 32-bit floating-point precision, rather than the 24-bit integer method used in such systems in the past.(/P)

Built For Generations

(P)Like its partnering, the PM-10 integrated amplifier, the SA-10 is constructed to the highest possible standards, with a double-layered copper-plated chassis for excellent rejection of mechanical and electrical interference, and casework constructed from thick non-magnetic aluminum panels and 5mm thick top lid. Both products also sit on aluminum machining feet for reduced vibration and allows for a smoother listening experience.(/P)