Integrated Amp Reviews

Marantz Model 30 integrated amplifier Marantz SACD 30n networked SACD/CD player

Sidebar 1: Marantz SACD 30n networked SACD/CD player

Marantz offers a matching networked SACD player–DAC, the SACD 30n, which is designed and, according to Marantz, "precisely tuned" to integrate with the Model 30 amplifier. This new streamer-radio-headphone amp–CD player was created to sit handsomely atop the cool-running Model 30, making a complete (except for speakers) audio system designed to add an aura of worldly sophistication to any college professor's home.

1220Mara.sidebar

I installed the SACD 30n for fun and to get a brief feel for the complete Marantz "30" experience. Setup was easy. The 30n streamer and its HEOS app did pretty much all the work. The sound of the DAC/CD player shared the Model 30's penchant for silent transparency and layered detail. Very nice.—Herb Reichert

COMPANY INFO
Sound United
Distributor: Marantz America, LLC
1 Viper Way
Vista, CA 92081
marantz.com/en-us
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
jimtavegia's picture
Submitted by jimtavegia on December 18, 2020 - 9:38am

Great report.

marc g.'s picture
Submitted by marc g. on December 18, 2020 - 11:41am

Marantz gear never looked that good to me, but this new look is a good one.

stereophileuser2020's picture
Submitted by stereophileuser2020 on December 18, 2020 - 2:41pm

I don't understand why this Model 30 amp and the accompanying SACD player don't have balanced XLR between them? It's a shame that Marantz seems to be saving that feature for their top-of-the-line Reference series.

Long-time listener's picture
Submitted by Long-time listener on December 18, 2020 - 10:09pm

I don't like the look of those tone control curves. They have pushed the inflection points up so high and down so low that, in my experience, all you end up getting is just a little extra dull thudding way down low and some extra hiss way up top -- but not any real change in the bass-treble balance. I know they do this thinking they want to "keep the tone controls out of the all-important midrange," but I wish Marantz and other brands would learn not to do this. The kind of implementation you see on the old NAD M3, for example, is much better. If it wasn't for this slip-up, I'd be really interested in this.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on December 19, 2020 - 12:25pm

...entry level audiophile with Powah.

Where is the "I Believe"?

I like the "captivating elan" which suggests an attractive/eager performer capable of holding a listener's attention.

I'd wager that this do-it-all device is 5 times better than what the vast citizen majority will ever own. ( and probably 5 times the price )

Based on your review, I'd buy it to gift to my Grandchildren.

Tony in Venice

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on December 20, 2020 - 10:13am

It was a wonderfully open and incredibly free album... and THE first recording I could remember from my childhood.

My favorite 1st grade teacher played this for us in class and Rosy Grier's song 'It's Allright to Cry" and let us know that no matter how tough and 'manly' one thinks they are... it takes strength shows show vulnerability and sadness.

So cool this and you are!

Bonsai's picture
Submitted by Bonsai on December 21, 2020 - 2:19pm

Why do you do a 50 Hz test? Is this to try to assess the performance of the PSU?

I understand£ why you’re do one at 1 kHz or 19+20 kHz CCIF but not the 50 Hz test.

Thank you

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on December 24, 2020 - 4:17am
Bonsai wrote:
Why do you do a 50 Hz test? Is this to try to assess the performance of the PSU?

I started doing this test at the end of the 1980s, following a precedent set by the UK's Martin Colloms: the signal is 10Hz away from the AC power-line frequency, so will reveal supply stress.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

anomaly7's picture
Submitted by anomaly7 on December 21, 2020 - 10:09pm

Herb, I love your writing style. I think you could compose a piece about the dirt in your garden and I might find it compelling. That you choose to write about glamorous and/or interesting audio gear is just a bonus for this reader.
Much obliged-

David Hicks
Ashland, OR

SteveR1's picture
Submitted by SteveR1 on December 23, 2020 - 3:20pm

Ironically - after reading the actual magazine - this is the first clear picture I have seen of the amp - why do all the pics in the magazine so tangentially represent what the actual equipment looks like?

kozultk's picture
Submitted by kozultk on December 23, 2020 - 5:05pm

Hi Herb:

I assume you were attending NIU. I graduated from NIU in '71. Did you ever purchase any equipment Apple Tree? Mike let me order LPs wholesale through his store. I had a side-hustle selling LPs in Stevenson S. Also got my own LPs pretty cheap.

Herb Reichert's picture
Submitted by Herb Reichert on December 23, 2020 - 7:12pm

I was in the art department at NIU. I graduated in 1973.

My painting studio was in the Wurlitzer Factory by the river.

I wish I had one of those DeKalb Corn hats now.

lol

hr

PTG's picture
Submitted by PTG on March 17, 2021 - 11:26am

Looks like Model 30 and SACD30n are meant to be paired together..... Any chance for a more thorough review of the SACD30n ?

smrex13's picture
Submitted by smrex13 on July 20, 2021 - 6:40pm

From the comparison with the Rogue Sphinx, I come away feeling like you prefer that amp. I realize they are different sounding integrateds, but when one sounds "much more solid, textural and tone-correct," I would gravitate to that amp.

Tom Howe's picture
Submitted by Tom Howe on January 11, 2022 - 1:49pm

Hmmm....so I bought a Model 30 to replace a Sunfire Signature Series 2. The Sunfire was a beast 600W+ per channel. I used to have Maggie 3.7s and needed power to drive them. Then I moved to the Triton One.Rs which have powered woofers so thought I no longer needed that power and decided to move to an integrated from separates. My impressions so far 1) Marantz has goosed bass and midrange with this amp. The midrange/upper bass has been tweaked so much that some things - vocals on Joni Mitchell's Blue, and Neil Young on Harvest sound strained to me. The Tritons don't need the help there. I keep thinking that if I still had the Maggies, this thing would sound amazing with those. IMO they need the bass and midrange to be pumped up. 2) My second realization - even though the tritons have powered woofers, they still like power. The Sunfire never even breathed hard - when I turn up the Marantz I again feel like there's a bit of a strain....

X