MARANTZ SA-12SE

Marantz Super Audio CD Player with DAC SA-12SE Special Edition

Marantz was present at the launch of the first CD players back in 1982 with the release of the CD-63. In the following years, Marantz became renowned as a CD player specialist. Drawing from the development process of its flagship SA-10 and designed by the same team, the SA-12 Special Edition was created to celebrate the love for music and enhance the mastery and emotion of music reproduction.

Marantz Musical Mastering technology sets new standards in both digital and analog audio processing. The "SACDM-3" disk drive mechanism, exclusively designed for audio, is capable of playing SACD, CD, and collections of audio files from CD-ROM or DVD-ROM discs. It also features an asynchronous USB input capable of handling formats up to PCM/DXD 384kHz/32bit and DSD11.2MHz. Marantz Musical Mastering Stream converts all PCM file formats into DSD, using advanced filtering and proprietary processing, before Marantz Musical Mastering Conversion converts the 1-bit data stream directly into an analog signal without the need for a conventional D/A converter.

The Marantz engineering team has designed this player to offer a sound that brings you closer to your favorite music than ever before. The reason is simple, and it’s the same for every Marantz product – ‘Because Music Matters.’

Key Features

• Engineered and fine-tuned by a team with over 35 years of Marantz experience in designing CD players
• Innovative Marantz Musical Mastering ‘MMM-Stream’ for DSD upsampling and filtering
• 1-bit direct DSD to analog conversion specifically designed
• High-quality analog output stage with Marantz HDAM-SA3 low output impedance technology
• SACD/CD mechanism developed by Marantz “SACDM-3” designed exclusively for audio use
• SACD and CD playback, and audio content from CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs
• Asynchronous USB input for high-resolution audio up to PCM/DXD 384kHz/32bit and DSD11.2MHz
• Isolation of digital and USB inputs to eliminate noise from connected sources
• Powered by a toroidal transformer
• Dedicated headphone amplifier with discrete construction and HDAM-SA2 technology

Marantz Special Edition The meticulous refinement by expert sound engineers fuels the prestigious sound signature of every Marantz product. No component leaves the hands of a Marantz Sound Master until it passes rigorous testing. Only the best products, carefully tested and handled with precision, reach your home.

Marantz Special Editions are how the brand celebrates the love for music flowing through the veins of its sound engineers, showcased in the art and mastery of these special components. The Sound Master occasionally identifies a product with higher-than-expected potential and examines it with constant attention to detail, component selection, and listening sessions. The original SA-12 was created exclusively for the Japanese market and quickly became the next selected component. European sound engineers combined it with the results from developing the famous SA-KI Ruby, and thus the SA-12 Special Edition was born.

Transport Mechanism At the heart of the SA-12SE is an innovative SACDM-3 transport mechanism, designed exclusively for the best possible performance during playback of SACD, CD, and stored music on data discs. This new reading mechanism promises exceptional sound quality from traditional CD and SACD discs and allows listeners to create their own high-resolution audio collections using a computer DVD burner. The SA-12SE supports FLAC files from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz with resolution up to 24 bits, DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz, ALAC (Apple Lossless), AIFF, and MP3. Creating and playing high-resolution disc collections is as simple as it is enjoyable.

CD, SA-CD, and Beyond The SA-12SE is a digital-to-analog audio converter with all the features for listening to music stored on a computer via USB-B connection. It also features optical and coaxial digital inputs for existing source components. These inputs support audio files up to 192kHz/24bit. The asynchronous USB-B input for direct connection to a computer is compatible with PCM and DXD music files up to 384 kHz/32bit, as well as DSD 2.8 MHz, DSD 5.6 MHz, and DSD11.2 MHz.

Marantz HDAM Technology Marantz developed its own discrete circuits called Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules, or HDAM, to replace chip-based amplifiers used in other products. Using discrete surface-mount components with short, mirrored signal paths for left and right channels, the HDAM modules drastically outperform conventional integrated operational amplifiers in terms of response speed and noise level. The result is a much more dynamic, precise, and detailed sound. Over the years, Marantz has developed different types of HDAM to meet the needs of players and amplifiers. The SA-12SE uses the latest high-quality SA3 version. Combined with an optimized circuit layout and carefully selected components, the SA-12SE offers exceptional sound quality and performance.

Marantz Musical Mastering: MMM-Stream and MMM-Conversion Marantz Musical Mastering is at the heart of the SA-12SE’s DSD digital audio. PCM input signals are all converted into 11.2MHz DSD using the proprietary MMM-Stream converter inside the player. The high-frequency signal generated is then processed by the exclusive MMM-Conversion stage, replacing a conventional DAC, to generate the analog output signal. The MMM-Stream section replaces the upsampling filters typically used in digital-to-analog conversion, allowing Marantz Musical Mastering filtering. Two system clocks are used to ensure the most accurate oversampling of the incoming signal for disc playback or digital input signals. All available digital signal formats are multiples of 44.1 or 48, so all processing is performed without rounding, preventing loss of important information or creating errors. Sigma Delta modulation enables a pure DSD standard signal to be transmitted to the conversion section as a high-frequency pulse stream. The DSD-to-analog filter design sends the audio signal to the Marantz HDAM module (Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Module) of the output stage for optimal audio quality.

High Current Power Supply The power supply of the SA-12SE features a large high-current toroidal transformer with OFC (oxygen-free copper) secondary winding conductors, along with high-speed and high-current Schottky diodes in the rectifier stage to provide the purest DC output voltage. Independent power supplies are also provided for the analog and digital circuits to minimize interference.

System Remote Control The elegant aluminum remote control features an intuitive ergonomic layout and is equipped with amplifier control functions for the SA-12SE and the reference-class integrated stereo amplifier PM-12SE. Use the Remote Control input and output jacks to connect the SA-12SE to other compatible Marantz components. An Internal/External switch on the rear panel provides additional flexibility for system control.

Low-Noise Fluorescent Display A luxurious low-noise LC display presents clear, easy-to-read alphanumeric characters and is compatible with music discs with CD Text encoding. The display can be turned off via the display control button on the remote. For a better user experience, information about the bit number of the input signal is now available on the front display of the SA-12SE.

Dedicated Headphone Output Connect your favorite headphones directly to the SA-12SE via the convenient headphone jack on the front panel, which also has its own adjustable gain control. The headphone circuit is compatible with a wide range of headphone types, including low-impedance headphones.

Built to Perform at Its Best Like the integrated amplifier of the same PM-12SE series, the SA-12SE Super Audio CD Player is built to the highest standards, featuring a thick, heavy, non-magnetic aluminum front panel to eliminate interference. The nickel-plated single-layer copper RCA terminals on the SA-12SE outperform competitors' terminals and provide an exemplary listening experience.

More Than 60 Years of Audiophile Tradition Founded in 1953, Marantz has a long and rich history of designing audio components that have been appreciated by music lovers and audiophiles around the world. Because Music Matters – because music is so important in our lives. The SA-12SE continues our long tradition of providing the best listening experience for both music and cinema.

Technical Specifications:

• Mechanism: SACD-M3 (METAL)
• D/A Conversion: Marantz Musical Mastering Conversion + Stream
• DAC IC: Marantz Musical Mastering Conversion + Stream
• Low Pass Filter Stage: HDAM-SA2, SA3 current feedback
• Output Buffer: HDAM SA3
• Headphone Amp: HDAM-SA2 current feedback
• Frequency Response (Cust.): 2 Hz - 50 kHz
• Dynamic Range (SA): 109 dB
• Signal to Noise Ratio (SA): 112 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (SA): 0.0008%
• Frequency Response: 2 Hz - 20 kHz
• Dynamic Range: 98 dB
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 104 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.000015
• Remote Control: RC005PMSA
• Maximum Dimensions (W x D x H) in mm: 440 x 419 x 123
• Weight: 16.4 kg