TWO NEW MARANTZ “REFERENCE SERIES” PM-15S2 Amplifier and SA-15S2 SACD Player

[klipschfan]

TWO NEW MARANTZ “REFERENCE SERIES” AUDIO COMPONENTS BRING ASTOUNDING LEVELS OF MUSICALITY AND REALISM, WITH NEW INTRODUCTORY PRICE POINTS

– PM-15S2 Amplifier and SA-15S2 SACD Player Deliver Marantz High-Level Audio Excellence at Prices That Let More Discerning Consumers Enjoy the Unique “Reference Series” Experience –

Mahwah, NJ, November 3, 2011 – Marantz America, a world leader of advanced home entertainment solutions, has brought all of its expertise in high-end audio to bear in the creation of two new state-of-the-art Reference Series components, the PM-15S2 Limited Integrated Amplifier (SRP: $2,499.99) (http://us.marantz.com/US/PM15S2) and the SA-15S2 Limited Super Audio CD/CD Player (SRP: $1,999.99) (http://us.marantz.com/US/SA15S2) with their luxurious black anodized aluminum cosmetics and leading-edge audiophile-grade circuitry, both products reflect Marantz’ decades-long tradition of musicality and sonic excellence. And thanks to their new introductory price points, more music lovers and audio enthusiasts can now afford to experience the elevated listening experience of Marantz’ acclaimed Reference Series.
Jim Ludoviconi, Brand and Product Manager for Marantz America, noted: “The Marantz Reference Series is renowned for its sheer musicality, with a soundscape that reveals all the details and subtle nuances of music, from the lowest bass to the highest frequencies, all with keen attention to dynamics and true-to-life music reproduction. Both these new additions to the series feature a sleek new design, with seamless, rock-solid construction and no visible screw heads, making them ideal for integration into high-end home entertainment systems. Importantly, both utilize advanced sonic technologies, unique engineering traits and features found in our higher priced, top-of-the-line flagship models, at new introductory prices that will appeal to first-time Reference Series purchasers. With these new components, we are looking forward to bringing the elevated Marantz audio experience to more appreciating customers than ever before.”
PM-15S2 Limited Integrated Amplifier: Best Sound, From Both Digital Music and Vinyl
The Marantz PM-15S2 is designed from the ground up to deliver a powerful, rich and luxurious music listening experience. It features a host of innovative design attributes, some first introduced in Marantz’ award-winning MA-9S2 monoblock amplifier. The unit features a Marantz engineered HDAM-SA3 module for high slew rate, with low noise and a highly resolved sonic character. The custom-wound torrodial power transformer anchors a high current, regulated power supply newly tuned for quick response, and twin 20,000 micofarad filter capacitors custom made for Marantz provide huge current reserves for enhanced bass control. The PM-15S2 delivers 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms, with DC servo for superior low frequency response.
For vinyl enthusiasts, the PM-15S2 features a moving magnet phono stage that delivers the very best sound possible from a connected turntable, and the vivid audio imaging afforded by a digitally controlled analog volume stage boosts channel to channel accuracy within .5 dB. In addition, the unit’s HDAM-SA2 modules are deployed in a buffer configuration at the CD input for enhanced linearity. A special B-mode setting makes it possible to operate two PM-15S2 amps and mono-integrated amplifiers for total left-right channel isolation while a power amp direct input allows for compete integration with a home theater processor at the touch of a button. The PM-15S2 is ideal for pairing with Marantz’ critically acclaimed TT-15S1 high-performance turntable.

SA-15S2 Reference Series Super Audio CD/CD Player
Ever since it announced the world’s first CD player, Marantz has led the way in offering advanced digital playback with an unwavering focus on sound quality. With its Marantz custom SACDM 10-disc mechanism, the SA-15S2 Limited Super Audio CD/CD Player reflects this tradition, outperforming virtually all players in its class. Capable of playing CDs, CD-Rs, CR-RWs, and stereo SACDs, the SA-15S2 combines several significant technical accomplishments to enhance musical enjoyment. The audiophile-grade components have been re-voiced for greater speed and harmonic balance, and the Marantz designed linear power supply anchors an outsized torroidal transformer to provide the voltage stability and freedom from noise necessary for best audio performance. The advanced transport mechanism employs resonance-resistant composite Xyron and is mounted to a heavyweight aluminum billet base for virtually vibration free response. Additionally, the SA-15S2 boasts a superb Cirrus Logic CS4398 high-current DAC with 24-bit/192 kHz resolution for music reproduction with the speed and immediacy of a live performance. Selectable interpolation filters allow for a slight tailoring of the response to suit individual systems, while an optical input allows for the use of external digital sources.
Special audiophile grade decoupling capacitors help deliver crisp, clean power to the all-important DAC stages for enhanced audio transparency and a noise-free background, while HDAM SA2 modules are utilized throughout the analog output stage for wide dynamic range and the best possible fidelity. Finally, audiophile-grade foil film capacitors and metallic film resistors are employed at critical points in the topology to further enhance performance.
About Marantz
Marantz America, LLC is committed to upholding the tradition of technological superiority initiated by founder Saul Marantz. In keeping with this emphasis on quality, Marantz audio and video components are carried only by the nation’s premier audio/video specialty retailers. Additional information is available at www.us.marantz.com and www.facebook.com/marantzamerica. Marantz America, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings Inc.

[TommyC]

Hopefully the new flagships are coming! It's been a long time.

[bradleyc]

The original SA-15S2 offers exceptional value with superb sound and build quality. This limited edition has been upgraded but it's still selling for the same retail price as the original, an even better value

[JT3]

I wonder just how "limited" these are?

If I was a Brand and Product Manager for Marantz, I would re-issue a vintage style champagne faced receiver/integrated with yesterday's looks and today's digital technology - blue lights and all. Not another blacked out integrated.

But that's just me, thinking out loud.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by JT3

I wonder just how "limited" these are?

If I was a Brand and Product Manager for Marantz, I would re-issue a vintage style champagne faced receiver/integrated with yesterday's looks and today's digital technology - blue lights and all. Not another blacked out integrated.

But that's just me, thinking out loud.

+1 That would be very cool, and nice at the same time.

[Face]

The reason I sold mine was that it didn't have a black face plate. It would make the most sense to offer them in both styles.

[bradleyc]

Originally Posted by Face

The reason I sold mine was that it didn't have a black face plate. It would make the most sense to offer them in both styles.

The champagne face doesn't match up well with any of my other gear, but I'm sure it looks real nice with an all Marantz reference system

[avsBuddy]

I don't know guys, I didn't mind champagne color, and improved components in the black chassis for the the same price is nice, but for pit sake, make at least one SACD player that's multi-channel!

[Nuz1]

Is this just a re-release of the Pearl series of a couple of years ago?

[avsBuddy]

Originally Posted by Nuz1

Is this just a re-release of the Pearl series of a couple of years ago?

That's how it looks to me, except that Pearl was an upgrade of the regular line, and this is done on the lower end reference. I just wish Marantz would get off their butt and make a m/ch SACD player.