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11.2 MHz DSD&384 kHz 32 bit PCM (¥140,000) HD-AMP1


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A « heads-up » as they say—official Japanese HD-AMP1 product page, see (click) especially « 特長・機能 » tab :)

 

Pardon, I've not time right now other than, briefly, to alert you of this upcoming (worldwide) option for...

 

Illustrative photo introduction (with corresponding Japanese captions) :

6_2.jpg

HD-AMP1(左)とHD-DAC1(右)

 

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マランツのサウンドマネージャーを務める澤田龍一氏

 

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開発試聴室でHD-AMP1の説明を行う澤田氏

 

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発表会ではB&W「803 D3」と組み合わせてのデモも実施された

 

l_hm_ma02.jpg

背面端子部

 

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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A « heads-up » as they say—official Japanese HD-AMP1 product page' date=' see (click) especially [/font']« 特長・機能 » tab :)

 

Pardon, I've not time right now other than, briefly, to alert you of this upcoming (worldwide) option for...

 

Illustrative photo introduction (with corresponding Japanese captions) :

 

 

If my conversion was good, the price is a little under 1150.00 USD. From the details a Hypex module and 35 watts per channel.

Looks great for a desktop system. The power is low for a full system. Unless really high efficiency speakers are used.

The JOB INTegrated may be more of a universal integrated amp/dac. It is 175 watts per channel. It is very industrial in appearance. No sub out either.

 

2012 Mac Mini, i5 - 2.5 GHz, 16 GB RAM. SSD,  PM/PV software, Focusrite Clarett 4Pre 4 channel interface. Daysequerra M4.0X Broadcast monitor., My_Ref Evolution rev a , Klipsch La Scala II, Blue Sky Sub 12

Clarett used as ADC for vinyl rips.

Corning Optical Thunderbolt cable used to connect computer to 4Pre. Dac fed by iFi iPower and Noise Trapper isolation transformer. 

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Greetings Panelhead, I'm busy with family and can but quickly refer you (without trying to decode the Japanese better by refining any copy and paste of online translators' results) to what « Senior Sound Manager » Ryuichi Sawada especially said about adopting Hypex UcD in AV Watch's write-up :

70.jpg

 

 もう1つの大きな特徴は、パワーアンプ部にHypex製の「UcD」(Universal Class D)スイッチングパワーアンプモジュールを採用した事。マランツはアナログアンプにこだわるメーカーで、「本格的なスイッチングアンプを使ったマランツのアンプはほとんどなく、初めてに近い」(澤田氏)という。

 

 そのため、「回路図を見ていただければわかるように、HD-AMP1は基本にはアナログアンプとして作っています。終段だけはスイッチングにしましたが、それはこの筐体サイズではスイッチングにしないと大きなパワーがとれないため」だという。

 

 Hypex製の「UcD」を選んだのは「もちろん音が良いから」(澤田氏)だが、もともとマランツはHypex製のデジタルアンプを良く知っていたという。「マランツはかつてPhilipsの傘下でしたが、当時Philipsのエンジニアが考えだしたSODA(ソーダ)というデジタルアンプの方式がある。そのエンジニアが、今、Hypexで手がけているのがUcD」だという。

 

a70.jpg

Hypexの回路図と特徴

 

 だが澤田氏によれば、音が良い反面、Hypexの「UcD」は使うのが難しいという。「ゲインをほとんど持たず、簡単に言えばパワーアンプ部の後ろ半分しかないようなもの。前段をメーカー側で作らなければ鳴りません。また、入力はアナログのみで、しかもバランスでないと動作しないのでプリアンプの終段をバランスにしなければなりません。小さな筐体のコンポでは使うのは大変ですが、音を聴けばやるだけの価値はある」という。

 

 その結果「徹底的にやった結果、スイッチングアンプで、マランツらしさを前面に打ち出したモデルになった。小型で高性能でも、ややこしいものは入れずにシンプルな構成を追求した。大げさな(サイズの)機械ではなく、それでも音楽が楽しめる。'90年代にラインナップしていた“MUSIC LINK”の名を再びつけることができた」という。

 

10_2.jpg

90年第に発売された“MUSIC LINK SERIES”のフォノアンプ「PH-1」

Trusting you to decipher translations of it as best...

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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  • 5 weeks later...

Andrew Everard published his praising write-up overnight (my time), concluding excerpt :

In fact, whatever you choose to drive with it, the Marantz shines, and it’s also more than capable of revealing the benefits of stepping up through the choice of hi-res files on offer out there, as was apparent when comparing DSD64 and DSD128 versions of the same track, and even the very few DSD256 files I have in my library.

 

Played through the Bowers & Wilkins speakers in particular, the HD-AMP1 just delivers more presence and sparkle as you move up through the DSD spectrum, but it’s also entirely convincing both when used with more modest speakers and when playing files at standard CD resolution. This is an amplifier you can buy with confidence for your current music collection, knowing it has the wherewithal to handle whichever direction your purchases may take you in the future.

 

Just occasionally I come across a product beyond the extremely good and well into truly special territory – having used the HD-AMP1 for a while now, I’m convinced the Marantz team has done it again. Compact it may be, but this amplifier has definite giant-killing ability, and is one of the most convincing products in its sector this side of £1000, if not beyond.

 

Add in the stylish ‘retro’ looks, the solidity of build and the comprehensive specification, and you have a real hi-fi bargain on your hands. That’s not a bad start for the New Year, is it?

marantz-hd_amp1-bl-atmosphere-scaled600.jpg?w=640

Click here to read AE's full MARANTZ HD-AMP1 IS A CLASSIC IN THE MAKING

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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Noticed just now, its listings are on (at least) US and UK sites, User Manual pdf from the former, whereas UK has longer Overview descriptions, for example :

Special Switching Amplifier Concept

The HD-AMP1 is the first ever Marantz Hi-Fi product that incorporated the concept of a switching amplifier. Up to now, switching (Class-D) amplifiers did show certain limitations which made them not acceptable for demanding Marantz sound engineers to be used in a premium Hi-Fi product. Now, the HD-AMP1 combines the unique Marantz HDAM technologies, the switching amplifier concept and an overall feedback loop, to guarantee a consistent performance with a wide range of loudspeaker types. Compared to regular switching amplifier concepts, the HD-AMP1 does not take the feedback signal at the output of the amplifier module, but right after the LC filter stage. In [the case] feedback is taken before the LC filter, the connected speaker is not taken into consideration in the amplification process, hence the amplifier reacts very sensitive to the connected speaker, and performance varies. With a carefully designed switching amplifier and the feedback taken after the LC filter the impact of a connected speaker becomes very small. In addition the damping factor defined by the output impedance of the amp and the impedance of the connected speaker is less sensitive to the frequency as well. The high slew rate of the amplifier concept and the high quality LC Filter itself ensure a wide bandwidth and flat frequency response. All adds up to an extraordinary Hi-Fi performance in a compact form factor.

a70.jpg

And a HD-AMP1 Quick Start Guide pdf from US...

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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Thanks Miska, it's good to know what Hypex said :

Shown below is a family of frequency response plots, taken with loads of 3, 6 and infinity (open circuit) ohms.

 

image008.gif

 

This is a breath of fresh air compared to other class D amplifiers that have a very wobbly frequency response that can vary over several (if not tens of) decibels, depending on what happens to be attached.

 

The load-insensitivity of the frequency response (ie. the output impedance) of UcD is even significantly lower than that of most class A amplifiers! This insures that irrespective of the kind of loudspeaker used with UcD, it will produce exactly the impulse response it was designed for.

And knowing your interest in DACs, here's some more of Sawada's insights in Japanese for you to decipher :

 方針転換のキッカケはESSのDAC「ES9010K2M」を採用した事だ。「マランツとしてこれまで採用していなかったが、ESSのDAC自体はかなり前からテストはしており、大変結果は良く、いつ採用しようかと思っていた」という。

 

 このES9010K2Mには、ESSがあらかじめ用意したデジタルフィルタが複数用意され、オーディオメーカーが好きなものを選んだり、設定を開放してユーザーが好きなものを選べるようにする事ができる。さらに澤田氏によれば、「メーカーが自分でデジタルフィルタを作り、DACに搭載する事もできる」という。

 

 そこで、マランツが高級機で取り入れてきた、オリジナルのデジタルフィルタパターンをESS用に手直しして投入。「ESSのDACを搭載するメーカーは多いが、我々はこのデジタルフィルタを入れ込む事で、我々ならではの使い方ができるようになった」という。

 

s01_800x600.jpg

 

 さらに電流出力型のDACである事も採用の決め手となった。電流出力型DACでは、その後ろにI/V変換を用意する必要があるが、逆にその部分が音質にも効いてくるため「マランツの音」を追求できる。

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

To you who still regularly enter brick-and-mortar-shops to audition, it seems the HD-AMP1 is now at Hi-Fi dealers—especially around Europe.

 

For example, I've just seen this £799 listing of Fidelity Audio.

 

I'd like to read experiences from our community's members—listening to it as a DAC whilst powering (successive) speakers that we may (or may not) know well.

 

And here's it's internal view :

maran02.jpg

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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I was confused for a while on the webpage: this is titled 'AMP' but it is both a DAC as well as an amplifier, right?

Dedicated Line DSD/DXD | Audirvana+ | iFi iDSD Nano | SET Tube Amp | Totem Mites

Surround: VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623

DIY: SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels

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I was confused for a while on the webpage: this is titled 'AMP' but it is both a DAC as well as an amplifier, right?

 

It is. What I can't see is how much difference (other than amp class) there is between this and the PM7005. Anyone?

Mac Mini (+Tidal +Roon) -> WiFi -> Lyngdorf TDAI1120 ->JM Reynaud Lucia (Tellurium Q Black v2)

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What I can't see is how much difference (other than amp class) there is between this and the PM7005. Anyone?

 

Briefly, recalling this :

s08_800x600.jpg

 

 

And this morning, American importers announced its orders have (more or less) landed.

 

If you want to study more closely (for example, of Owners Manuals), US listings MSRP : $1,099 HD-AMP1, PM7005 at $999

 

The US (believing it to be a difficult sell ? [as it believes not-enough-demand to justify ordering products in gold-silver-colour]) has UNDERPRICED its HD-AMP1, because Japan prices PM7005 at ¥100,000 !

 

 

Incidentally, reading from Japan, HD-AMP1 was Sawada's painstaking retirement project, a culmination of his knowhow as their Sound Manager since the 90s (having joined Marantz in 1977). Pardon, I've not time today to start discussing insights within that interview

2.jpg

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

HD-AMP1s still haven't landed for New Zealand's importer.

Meanwhile, Marantz Europe update :

« The Marantz HD Amp 1 has received a fantastic review from Hi Fi Choice, also managing to get the coveted "Editors Choice" Award.

 

“…the HD-AMP1 is anything but feeble, either in the way it can drive even demanding speakers or the excellent control it exerts over them.”

 

“Good things, small packages” is the consistent thought when playing music through the Marantz, so well does it both crash out rock and electronica with serious conviction and display excellent detail and ambiance with simpler, more atmospheric recordings.”

 

“…the ability of the Marantz to give a ‘listen-in’ experience is striking, but as with just about every mainstream product from this company the most impressive thing is the way it can make even the most familiar, “heard it a million times on the radio” track come up fresh and bursting with life, making the listener hear it anew and with a rapidly spreading silly grin.”

 

“…while the intimacy of Coltrane’s ‘My Favourite Things’ set, in 24-bit/192kHz, reveals again just how the subtlest nuances are used by this DAC/amp combination to enhance the listener’s involvement in the music.”

 

Conclusion

“For all that, the HD-AMP1 is more than adept at doing the down and dirty thing, too, whether with the slightly bonkers blues of Ironing Board Sam’s ‘Super Spirit’ set or the thunder of Thin Lizzy in their pomp.” http://social.marantz.com/J76 »

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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  • 2 months later...
  • 2 months later...

Australian readers, your importer said :

« Shipping now! Our new HD-AMP1 Compact Amplifier with DAC. Beautifully engineered; stunning sound; perfect for decoding hi-res files on your PC, or as a DAC for your CD player. Match it with your choice of quality bookshelf speakers or headphones. Message us for your nearest Marantz Specialist dealer!

For detailed product info - Marantz HD-AMP1 »

13730883_1154599801262995_2158005762485148831_o.png

 

«

an accurate picture

Sono pessimista con l'intelligenza,

 

ma ottimista per la volontà.

severe loudspeaker alignment »

 

 

 

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