Marantz PM-12SE - Stereo Amplifier - CALL FOR PRICE

Marantz PM12SE

Marantz PM-12 Special Edition Integrated Amplifier

• Designed and extensively optimized by a team drawing on over 65 years of Marantz amplifier design knowledge
• Marantz high-resolution preamplifier stage with proprietary HDAM technology
• Switching type power amplifier derived from the high-level PM-10 amplifier
• Remarkable Output Power: 100W + 100W (on 8 Ohm), 200W + 200W (4 Ohm)
• Fully discrete two-stage design for maximum signal purity, with separate power supplies for preamp and power amp sections to reduce interference
• Dedicated toroidal transformer for preamp for clean and powerful sound
• Current feedback design with newly developed wideband circuits
• HDAM® SA3 circuit for a clean signal and optimal dynamics
• Phono MM/MC input with new discrete Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ circuit
• Independent nickel-plated copper input terminals for CD and Phono, plus Marantz original high-quality/purity copper-plated speaker terminals
• Linear volume control with the new electric volume system
• High quality construction with double layer frame and solid aluminum front
• Purest Mode turns off unused circuitry for the best audio performance
• High quality audio components, carefully selected: Schottky diodes with minimal leakage current, low noise complementary transistors, high quality resistors, newly developed custom electrolytic capacitors, “audio grade” film capacitors and mica capacitors.

Thorough and painstaking tuning has long been the secret to the great sound of a Marantz amplifier. For the PM-12SE, the Marantz engineering team brought all their experience and expertise to bear, both in designing the amplifier and in extensive listening sessions to fine-tune the sound. The team of Sound Masters, located in Japan and Europe, did not finish their intense work until they were absolutely certain they had achieved a level of quality worthy of the Marantz name.

Marantz developed its own discrete circuits called Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules, or HDAMs, to replace the chip-based amplifiers used in other products. Using discrete surface-mount components with short mirror-image left and right signal paths, HDAMs dramatically outperform conventional integrated op-amps in slew rate and noise level. The result is much more dynamic, precise and detailed sound. Over the years, Marantz has developed different types of HDAMs to suit the needs of players and amplifiers. The PM-12SE uses the latest high-quality SA3 version. Combined with an optimised circuit layout and carefully selected components, the PM-12SE delivers exceptional sound quality and performance.

Marantz has taken its ongoing commitment to vinyl enjoyment to new heights with the introduction of the Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ stage. Designed to deliver optimum sound quality by simplifying the signal path – vital given the delicate nature of phono signals – the Phono EQ stage in the PM-12SE amplifier can be used with both moving magnet and low-output moving coil cartridges, thanks to a built-in MC amplifier. The phono stage uses two-stage amplification, combining Marantz HDAM modules with JFETs (junction gate field effect transistors) in the input stage, to achieve high input impedance. This further simplifies the design without using negative feedback, eliminating coupling capacitors, again reducing distortion and improving signal purity.

The newly developed electric volume control uses the latest volume control IC to achieve better channel separation, improved dynamic range and reduced distortion, while maintaining the operational feel of an analog volume control. The amplifier uses the new Marantz-designed electric volume control for high linearity and best-in-class channel separation.

Current Feedback amplification is a famous Marantz original circuit technology, designed to meet the requirements of high-resolution Super Audio music for ultra-fast, wide-bandwidth reproduction. The impedance at the current feedback point is limited, resulting in very low phase shift. Marantz Current Feedback amplifiers reduce the need for phase compensation by minimizing negative feedback (NFB). This simplifies the signal path and results in high-speed amplification, excellent transient response and superb sonic transparency across the entire bandwidth. Unlike conventional voltage feedback topology, Current Feedback also ensures that the power amplifier is unaffected by demanding speaker loads.

Drawing on design elements from the PM-10, the PM-12SE is designed to leverage the improvements, maintain the purest possible sound and produce the power needed to drive the most demanding loudspeakers. The PM-12SE’s amplifier output stage makes ample output power, delivering 2x100W into an 8-ohm load, and easily drives demanding loudspeakers with 2x200W into 4-ohm output. The amplifier module is connected directly to the PM-12SE’s rear panel circuit board to maintain signal purity and sound stability.

The PM-12SE’s pure analogue design contributes to its noise-reducing structure and clean construction: many competing designs today include digital-to-analogue conversion or employ digital amplification and volume control, but Marantz keeps things as clean and simple as possible with its acclaimed all-analogue design. It may seem convenient to have a DAC in the amplifier, but digital circuits are inherently noisy (in an electrical sense) and can interfere with the delicate analogue signals passing through the amplifier. That’s why Marantz chose to design its Premium Series range without any digital-to-analogue conversion, keeping its amplifiers as pure as possible.
There is also a Power Amp input, which carries the signal directly from the input section to the power stage, to allow the unit to function as a pure power amplifier.

Marantz has a solid reputation for selecting the finest components for its Premium Series products. Marantz’s alternative to IC “amplifier-on-a-chip” components is the HDAM, a miniature amplifier module constructed entirely from discrete components. Marantz engineers selected and optimized the HDAM through extensive listening sessions in dedicated Marantz facilities in Europe and Japan. Careful and meticulous tuning has long been the secret to the beautiful sound of Marantz amplifiers. During development, each part is carefully selected, tested and confirmed by Marantz audio engineers to ensure sound perfection every time you listen.

In addition to the analog phono and CD inputs, the PM-12SE features two line-level inputs and two pairs of tape recorder input/output jacks that allow connection of multiple sources and recorders. You can use the PM-12SE as a standalone stereo power amplifier, or as a power amplifier via the power amplifier direct input. For example, you can use the front pre outs of an AV setup and amplify them via the PM-12SE’s power amplifiers.

Using Marantz proprietary discrete HDAM modules, the headphone circuitry delivers superb audio fidelity across the widest range of headphone types and impedances, including low-impedance headphones.

Use the sleek remote control to control the PM-12SE and the complementary SA-12SE Super Audio CD Player. The PM-12SE features Remote Control input and output jacks for added remote control flexibility.

Like the SA-12SE Super Audio CD player in the same series, the PM-12SE integrated amplifier is built to the highest standards with a front panel made of thick, heavy, non-magnetic aluminum to eliminate interference. Independent nickel-plated copper input terminals for CD and phono connections and high-quality, high-purity copper speaker terminals ensure the best possible audio signal.

Founded in 1953, Marantz has a long and rich history of designing audio components embraced by music lovers and critical listeners around the world. Because Music Matters – because music matters so much in our lives, the PM-12SE continues our long tradition of delivering a best-in-class listening experience for music and cinema.