Features
| Brand | Marantz |
|---|
Tech Specs
- Mechanism - SACD-M3 (METAL)
- D/A Conversion - Marantz Musical Mastering Conversion + Stream
- DAC IC - Marantz Musical Mastering Conversion + Stream
- Digital Filter - DSP (Marantz)
- Noise Shaper - DSP (Marantz)
- Low Pass Filter stage - HDAM-SA2, SA3 current feedback
- Output Buffer - HDAM SA3
- Headphone amp - HDAM-SA2 current feedback
- Frequency Response (Cust.) - 2 Hz - 50 kHz
- Dynamic Range (SA) - 109dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SA) - 112dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion (SA) - 0.0008%
- Channel Separation (SA) - No
- Frequency response - 2 Hz - 20 kHz
- Dynamic Range - 98 dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio - 104 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion - 0.000015
- Channel separation - No
Product Description
The Marantz SA12SE SACD CD Player is the mid-priced SACD player in the Marantz range. The special edition version has premium features such as custom HDAM modules and DAC. It is much more than just a CD player. It can play any digital file from other equipment or local storage.
It also has excellent HD performance and can play PCM files at 192kHz/24 bit as well as DSD 11.2. The DAC upconverts all digital audio to DSD. Lastly, the power supply uses an oversized toroidal transformer for the best performance. This CD player is designed to go with the high-end PM-12SE integrated amplifier.
Built-in high-performance DAC
The DAC built into the Marantz SA12SE SACD CD Player incorporates new filtering and up-conversion technology, for optimal sound. Moreover, the technology is paired with an all-new disc transport. The DAC is used to convert the ones and zeros of digital audio back into music.
Notably, the disc transport needs to be stable and accurate to deliver the best possible jitter-free signal to the DAC.
Marantz Musical Mastering: MMM-Stream and MMM-Conversion
Marantz Musical Mastering stream and conversion technology is used by the Marantz SA12SE SACD CD Players DAC. All digital audio signals are up-converted to DSD at 11.2mHz. That includes the PCM signals from CDs as well as DXD.
DXD stands for Digital eXtreme definition and is used at the mastering stage for digital audio. The MMM system is used instead of a traditional DAC for superior analogue output performance.
High-performance power supply
The power supply used in the Marantz SA12SE SACD CD Player features a high-current toroidal transformer. Having an oversized transformer reduces hum and noise. That is because it will not be as heavily loaded by the circuits it is supplying.
Oxygen-free copper cabling is also used. This has a lower resistance than conventional copper. Additionally, the rectifier diodes used are Schottky Barrier types. These outperform standard diodes giving the purest DC output.
High build quality
The superb build quality of the PM-12SE integrated amplifier is matched by the Marantz SA12SE SACD CD Player. The front panel is made of thick, heavy, and nonmagnetic aluminium to eliminate interference. Also, the RCA terminals are nickel-plated.
Inputs are provided for optical and coaxial digital audio. There is also a USB input for local file playback and connecting a PC.
What is SACD?
SACD was developed as a way of storing hi-res audio files on a standard-sized disc. They have a higher storage capability than standard CDs at 4.7GB as opposed to 700Mb. They can also hold multiple-track audio. However, primarily they offer hi-res music using DSD instead of PCM.
This is sampled at a much higher frequency than standard CDS, and PCM signals. SACDs can hold up to 110 minutes of hi-res uncompressed music. A special player is required such as the Marantz SA12SE SACD CD Player. Lastly, more than 10,000 SACD titles have been released.
