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Marantz has been at the forefront since the beginning of the CD, launching its first player - the original CD-63 - in 1982. In the years that followed, Marantz became known as the specialist in CD players. Drawing on the development process of the reference SA-10 model, and designed by the same team, the SA-12 special edition was created to celebrate the love of music and exalt the mastery and emotion of music.
Marantz Musical Mastering technology sets new standards in digital and analog audio processing. The purely audio-built disc mechanism, the “SACDM-3”, is capable of playing SACDs, CDs and compilations on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. It also has an asynchronous USB input, capable of handling formats up to PCM/DXD 384kHz/32bit and DSD11.2MHz. The Marantz Musical Mastering Stream transforms all PCM file formats into DSD format, using advanced filtering and proprietary processing before the Marantz Musical Mastering Conversion converts the 1-bit data stream directly into an analog signal without using a conventional D/A converter.
The Marantz engineering team created this player to deliver the kind of sound that can bring you closer than ever to your favorite music. The reason is simple, and it’s at the heart of everything Marantz does - Because Music Matters.
At the heart of the SA-12SE is an innovative SACDM-3 transport mechanism, designed solely to achieve the best possible performance when playing SA-CDs, CDs and music stored on data discs. This new mechanism promises exceptional sound quality from classic CDs and SA-CDs and allows listeners to create their own high-resolution audio compilation discs using a computer DVD burner. The SA-12SE supports FLAC files from 44.1kHz to 192kHz and up to 24-bit resolution, DSD 2.8MHz and DSD 5.6MHz files, ALAC (Apple Lossless), AIFF and MP3. Creating and playing high-resolution disc compilations is as simple as it is enjoyable.
The player’s proprietary MMM-Stream converter. The resulting high-frequency signal is processed by the unique MMM conversion stage, used in place of a conventional DAC converter, to produce the analog output. The MMM-Stream section of the process replaces the upsampling filters normally used in digital-to-analog conversion and enables the implementation of Marantz Musical Mastering filtering. Two 44.1kHz and 48kHz system clocks ensure the most accurate upconversion of the incoming signal, whether from disc or digital inputs. All available digital signal formats are a multiple of either 44.1 or 48, so all processing is done without rounding, avoiding the loss of important information or the creation of artifacts. Sigma Delta modulation allows a pure DSD standard signal, a 1-bit stream, to be passed to the conversion section in the form of a very high frequency pulse stream. The DSD-to-analog filter design allows the audio signal to be injected into Marantz’s well-known HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) in the output stage for optimal sound quality.
The SA-12SE’s power supply includes a large, high-current toroidal power transformer with secondary OFC (oxygen-free copper) wires, as well as high-speed, high-current Schottky barrier diodes in the rectification stage for the purest possible DC voltage output. The analog and digital circuits are powered by independent sources to minimize interference.
Claude
Excellent player, I rediscovered my CDs and SACDs. Very deep opening of the spatialization, beautiful 3-dimensional sound.
Comment from August 09, 2023 — Experience from February 05, 2022
Mickael
A great success: rich, ultra-detailed and natural sound. It works wonders especially with CDs (so if you have a well-stocked CD collection, this is really one of the very best players at this price point, nothing like my other CD players). And with Hi-Res sources, it's obviously even better.
Paired with the Marantz PM 12, it really packs a punch. Tested with Focal, B&W and Sonus Faber speakers, and in every case it brings out the unique character of each speaker and gets the best out of them (although it may fall a bit short for Utopias, let's not get carried away, but for the Aria/Kanta range it's perfect).
I was so satisfied that I got a second one for my other system (paired with a McIntosh amp).
Comment from March 06, 2023 — Experience from July 21, 2021
Jean francois
Product meets my expectations. Extremely musical, very good value for money.
Comment from September 14, 2022 — Experience from September 03, 2022
