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Marantz SM-11S1 review
Many early Marantz amplifiers, some of the most praised components in the
history of high fidelity, produced only modest power by today’s
standards. In that light, the SM-11S1 – with its 110 watt per channel
power rating – is fully in line with tradition. But tradition, however
respected, is only the starting point for Marantz engineers today.For one
thing, the SM-11S1’s output doubles to 220 continuous watts per
channel when delivering power to low impedance speakers. That results in
truly exceptional control and delineation of the most complex sources, be
they music or movie soundtracks. Brute force without finesse serves no real
purpose for the sonically sophisticated. To that end, Marantz engineers
combined many new approaches in designing this amplifier. At the circuit
board level, the SM-11S1 benefits from parallel line layout which minimizes
the size of current loops and L/R interference for superior ambience
reproduction. The SM-11S1 also boasts the newest version of Marantz’s
HDAM® (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology – the HDAM SA3. With
precision complementary cascade push-pull topology implemented with
precision surface-mount components, HDAM SA3 modules exceed measurement
limits of 200 volts/µsecond for exceptional ability to track and audibly
define any input signal. And the SM-11S1 includes 34 HDAM SA3 modules at
critical circuit junctions. The two-stage amplifier (voltage amplifier and
separate buffer/voltage-to-current converter minimize the back-EMF from
speakers for even more clarity. In addition, the voltage amplifier stage
now accepts balanced XLR inputs (with independent gain adjustment) and
allows switching between stereo and bridged-mono modes. A high current
power supply based on a toroidal transformer the same size as the one used
in our MA-9S2 monoblock Reference Power Amplifier feeds these innovative
circuits. It’s optimized for use in a stereo amplifier (acoustic
isolation plates, silicon steel sheets, etc.), sealed in an aluminum case,
and mounted to the chassis with a 10mm thick aluminum base plate. Of
course, high quality circuit parts – audio-grade capacitors, metal film
resistors, special LAPT transistors, etc. – were chosen only after
extensive listening tests to determine their positive contributions to
overall sound quality. Although you can’t easily see these parts, you
can use the WBT speaker terminals as an external indication of the rigorous
parts selection process that distinguishes all Marantz products, especially
Reference Series components. The SM-11S1 benefits from more easily observed
qualities also. As an example, consider a remote power turn-on circuit that
lets you activate the amplifier by simply turning on a preamplifier. And
the front panel digital power meter lets you monitor output levels. Even
here, Marantz innovation delivers a real user benefit without compromising
audio performance as the meter uses Hall-effect magnetic devices to monitor
current flow to the speakers without directly tapping the output itself.
The sublly-curved front panel echoes the SM-11S1’s internal
sophistication with a substantial yet d?cor-conscious design equally at
home in a custom cabinet or an open shelf. In that, the SM-11S1 is fully a
Marantz. Performance. Design. Appearance. A Reference in every way. For
operational and technical assistance 24/7, use our self help Online Support
Center, where answers to many common questions can be found.View Warranty
information..
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