Marantz KI Pearls

By Stephen Mejias • Posted: May 20, 2009

I love the styling of the latest Marantz gear—strong and masculine without being overblown or audacious. Though the late '80s through early '90s saw Marantz move away from their high end roots, the last decade has been a return to form. Under the ownership of D&M Holdings, the respected audio company seems to be embracing their cherished past. In May 2008, Michael Fremer was extremely impressed by their SM-11S1 Reference power amplifier. He wrote:

Considering the SM-11S1's superb build quality inside and out, its fit'n'finish, its fully balanced architecture, the fact that it can be bridged for use as a monoblock—and, of course, its dazzling sound as a stereo amp—it's difficult to imagine that any company other than one big enough to take advantage of economies of scale could produce such an exceptional design for $4000. The SM-11S1 is one of those "get it while you can" products that comes along all too infrequently.

And in our October 2007 issue, Jim Austin approached musical satori with the SA8001 SACD player. Much more recently, MF enjoyed the heck out of the SA-11S2 Reference SACD player. He liked it so much, he almost gave up vinyl. (Just kidding.) And, as we speak, I believe Bob Reina has a review sample of the entry-level PM5003 integrated amplifier (which costs just $450 and includes a MM phono stage).

Now, to celebrate audio designer Ken Ishiwata's 30th anniversary with Marantz, the company is introducing two new products: the KI Pearls.

Designed and engineered to Mr. Ishiwata’s exacting specifications, the new KI Pearl units, including the SA-KI Pearl SACD player ($2,999) and the PM-KI Pearl integrated amplifier ($3,599), exemplify his passion for music and reflect his ongoing quest for audio perfection. A limited number of the SA-KI Pearl units will be released in May 2009 to select Marantz retailers, with availability of the PM-KI Pearl scheduled for September 2009.

A special website devoted to the KI Pearls is a treat, filled with all the information you'd expect, plus a sort of walking tour presented by an awesome little virtual Ken Ishiwata.

Comments

Submitted by SM on September 15, 2009 - 5:29am.

This is only a test.

Submitted by J. G. on September 29, 2009 - 9:39am.

I first heard a "display" SA-KI Pearl SACD/CD player next to my own Arcam CD-36 (which I brought along to the audio shop for the Marantz audition). From what I could tell from that side by side comparason, the sound from the Marantz was fuller: with more detail, depth and a wider soundstage. It was also "more musical"... A definate upgrade. I just received my own SA-KI Pearl. If my wife doesn't kill me, I will report back with more information.

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Submitted by Jack L on February 3, 2010 - 12:09pm.

I have both the SA-KI and the PM-KI. These feed into Magnepan SMGa speakers. I run these concurrently with a McIntosh MA-6200 feeding McIntosh ML-1C speakers. Either system alone seems a little anemic, but together, it reaches the point described by Mr. Isiwata--emotional. I must admit that the build quality of both Marantz pieces is superb, however, and should not be dismissed as anything less than high-end at a lesser cost. The phono stage of the Pearl is also better than my outboard phono stages--Jolida JD9 or Adcom.

Submitted by J. Sparrow on April 2, 2010 - 8:50am.

I'm afraid J.G.'s wife got him for the worst. I never red anymore information from him about the KI-Pearls. It's a pitty for it is such a superb amp.

Submitted by richtan on May 3, 2010 - 8:21am.

I brought my SA-KI Pearl SACD player to my dealer's shop to do a side by side comparison withSACD players with compatible SACD DAC. I instinctively thought the SA-KI would be no match for these mega high ends SACD transport and rightly so. But the difference is not very significant and ever so minute and that was very surprising. Almost all audiophile's labels like height, width, depth, micro, marco dynamics, musicality etc are just amazing. Obviously, this SACD player has been heavily tweaked masterfully by the passion and emotional commitment of Ken Iswata- sound designer of Marantz to his love of music. (read an entire web page dedicated to his 30th anniversary products. Don't just trust what is written here. Listen for yourself.

Submitted by website on September 26, 2010 - 9:47am.

that's impossible. make me somehow crazy

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