The BEST amplifier I've EVER heard…
The BEST amplifier I've EVER heard…
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π₯ Camera: John Darko / Olaf von Voss
π¬ Editor: John Darko
π Colour: Olaf von Voss
πΊπ» Motion GFX: John Darko
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π΅ Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video – and other videos – can be found on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
0:00 Intro
1:19 Two-man lift
5:39 Sub-bass kick
8:09 Side-by-side comparisons #1 & #2
13:21 Side-by-side comparison #3
π As seen in this video
Marantz Model 10
π https://howl.link/eprksms2w6ps1
Technics SU-R1000
π https://howl.link/34o0856ejuo47
NAD M66
π https://howl.link/meseywnltitcg
NAD M23
π https://howl.link/nqt72y7u75vh7
Hegel H590
π https://www.hegel.com/de/produkte/ausgelaufene-modelle/h590
Vivid Kaya 90
π https://vividaudio.com/kaya/kaya-90/
Vivid Kaya 45
π https://vividaudio.com/kaya/kaya-45/
Marantz Link 10n
π https://howl.link/eprksms2w6ps1
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
π https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
π https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
π https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a ‘π’.
Darko.Audio is an Amazon Associates Program member, an Audio Advice Program member and a Howl Program member.
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Thanks for a great review. I’d love to hear it up against the new Hegel H600
Is it really better than any Sugden, Passlabs, PS Audio etc? That’s a bold claim. Would like to see how it does against the Sugden Saphire or Masterclass series.
Dear John, your review inspired me to borrow a Marantz Model 10 from my dealer and compare it to my Leema Acoustics Tucana II Anniversary Edition. I paired the Model 10 with my ATC SCM-50 PSLT speakers. My Marantz LINK 10n network player served as a reliable and highly resolving source.
In terms of build quality and connectivity, the Model 10 is miles ahead of my Tucana. The Model 10 is a tank, built to last forever, and its engineering excellence is hard to beat. In terms of sound characteristics, I could relate to your descriptions of the Model 10. The precise and finely nuanced resolution, its dynamic range and its authority were undoubtedly present.
However, these excellent characteristics were not passed through to me. On the contrary, the Model 10 lacked explosiveness, speed, urgency, punch and immediacy. The Marantz failed to captivate me emotionally as a listener. Instead, it seemed far too tame and emotionally distant, appealing more to the musical intellect than getting under my skin.
In comparison, my Tucana II AE clearly outperformed the Marantz Model 10. The Tucana impressed with its impact, immediacy, unbridled flow, rhythm, transparency, holographic presentation and jet-black background without sounding analytical or tearing the music apart. Unfortunately, the Model 10 was unable to establish itself as a reference integrated amplifier in my setup.
Nevertheless, thank you so much for your always interesting and insightful reviews. Best regards, Luigi
Tried Ayre? Recommended – especially with the Grimm. Greetings
Puriffy modules?
Proving Class D is better than A
No blind listening test, no care
It is a 4k euro electronics packed into 25 kg of uneccessary copper to justify the price.Buy yourself a well made Purify amp and spice it up with the preamp of your choice and you are next to Model 10 for about 4k euros.I have a nice copper ashtray that I don’t need anymore to put on on a top of the gear.π
Pair a multi thousand pounds amp with a 350 DAC? Who’s going to do that?
Just buy a pair of ATCβs and a very good DAC, game over forever. ππ»
Thnx
Appreciate if you can compare Model10 to Luxman and Accuphase equals regarding sound characteristics
This is a very much rich review.
Well, technically the same amp can be had for 3000 eur from Audiophonics, except it’s not integrated
Wow, thanks for the Ech Ltd reference. Really popping with my Osborn Grand Monuments. Good techno and really good test for mid bass and bass extension. Great recording.
I have been in Audio since crystal radios in 67" and I am in disbelief that you can produce any significant bass even from the best amplifier from open baffle speakers with out SPL. Yes, some but without any sound pressure you are not moving much air which is critical as we feel bass as much as we hear it, right?
Thats a nice shirt. What brand is that?
Crazy amount of money spent on all this stuff. When is good enough… good enough or do we just contually chase the monster until we die or go deaf?
FINALLY A MODEL 10 Reviewπ…and that it came from you and was favorable, great and thank youβ£οΈ
Who actually made it? Marantz is just a faceplate at this point.
What about Hegel 400/600 looks superior??
If I was wealthy enough for this product to be in my line of sight, I’d buy it even if it sounded shite, it’s just to beautiful not to. Marantz use if copper and beautifully machined components makes everything else look trash even the beautiful technics. I’ll never look at another amp the same now. Most exquisite thing I’ve seen ever period
FAPtastic!!!!
15.000 euros for this type of amplifier is no joke, i wonder how it would compare to a Benchmark amplifier or BHK 250 stereo power amplifier, or other similar ones which all of them are half this price
@darkoaudio, thanks. Can you comment on the difference between the link10 combi with model 10 vs the nad m66 combined with the model 10? Does it keep performance between the 2? I like dirac live so if perf is similar I would go nad. Save money AND have dirac…
I am glad that you like it π i mean 14k π
Listen to a TAD M2500 mk2 or a Jeff Rowland 625 ,Contiuum s2 Class D at itβs Finest
I dont believe. You must hear more to give a opinion like this.
It would be great to compare it to Gryphon Diablo or McIntosh Ma12000 π
I recently switched from the PM-10 to the Model 10, and let me tell you β the PM-10 doesnβt even come close to this new beast.
Now I keep asking myself how I spent five years listening to the PM-10, thinking it was the best. π
βΈ»
Entry music is by who? The beat of it sounds very South African.
@michaelgordonharper4536 I have the same situation wondering that the PM-10 could be an upgrade to my Denon PMA-A110 ? While prices are discounted right now, the PM–10 is like 6 or 7 year old design Class D. Class D has improved since then ? I also have the DCD-A110
Stunning amp
‘Model 10 makes it less of a punishment to listen to music you don’t like’ … But, I don’t listen to music I don’t like. So Ill just stay with me trusted Accuphase. The price is way out there. To my opinion my Accu was to expensive to begin with, but this one is double the price.
Will it drive my Cerwin Vegas? π€£
Right,,,, my oscilloscope just played pink Floyd with no distortion,,,, it got a bit distorted low down,,, but my ossolscope sorted that out,,,, million dollars,,,dam right it comes with a a oscilloscope π
you are a lucky boy, 2 homes with the dogs jacobs systems in both homes plus other systems in other rooms, i got hifi envy, nice to hear too that your neighbour got involved…
i used to have the audiolab integrated amp and the marantz ki 63 signature cd player, i liked it but downsizing my flat could no longer accomadate it so i do have an affinity with marantz and im looking to get back into hifi as i kept my cd collection, we moved into a larger space again, but that model is out my price range, oh hum, but i do enjoy your vids…
Great video, I would to see this Marantz vs Denon PMA-A110
Since you have already heard the Peachtree Nova 300 and have said that this Marantz is the best you have heard, how much better is this Marantz model 10’s sound as compared to the Peachtree Nova 300
If you are talking about marantz you shouldnt be shocked. They are the real deal with a sweet sound
Magnificent. Thanks John, always a delight to hear from you. Your enthusiasm and attention to detail is legendary and infectious.
Mcintosh or sansui ba5000
Best youβve ever heard? Hmm. I prefer 300b.
Nope ! 14k for infant technology
This technology is still new and next week you will be selling it to buy the next bright idea ?
If you think this class D sounds great, take a listen to Jeff Rowland amps.. I would love to see a video on them by you..
Iβm ready to buy my forever amp. This has me thinking over options again. Thanks.
Well,, obviously you havenβt heard the Devialet Astra,,,, a true βStraight Wireβ with excellent features and outstanding design.
pretty poor specs. they even doesnt list specs for 2ohm load
As noted within the video your AUDIO SOURCE DAC matters a heck of a lot! It should be 32 bits wide at a full 192 KHz sample rate for the digital DAC/ADC internals AND the source audio waveform files should ALSO be a full 192 KHz at 32 bits wide! Only now in 2025 are we seeing proper studio source files coming out at a full 192 Khz at 32 bits wide and while they are mostly orchestral, acoustic guitar and piano, and jazz with solo artists, some modern rock and metal albums are starting to join the bandwagon to full 32 bits at 192 Khz. By 2028 I will say MOST modern music WILL be studio recorded at those bit-depths and sample rates so even Taylor Swift will be in full 32-bit Hi-Fi digital fidelity come soon enough!
This Marantz Model 10 is ONE of the better amplifiers out there period! Are there better ones out there? YES! But they also cost $50,000 USD to $500,000 USD and they are literally made of Gold, Silver and Tungsten and offer MAYBE a 5% to 10% improvement in sound quality which on a realistic basis only YOUNG people under 25 can actually hear those differences. The people who CAN afford such high-end gear are typically 40+ in age and have pretty shot hearing that simply IS NOT PHYSICALLY CAPABLE OF HEARING the differences between this Marantz Model 10 and the ultra high-end $500,000 amplifier!
I can tell you that I specifically LOOOOOOOVE the look and build quality of this Marantz Model 10 and would have no problem with spending the money on it! It’s actually a BARGAIN in terms of price per performance within the luxury audiophile community. You also don’t need $750,000 USD speakers such as the Magico Ultimate-3 when the UK-made $25,000 USD per pair KEF Reference 5 Meta series will very well complete the audio line to sonic perfection when paired with the Marantz Model 10!
For the price of a high-end model Honda Accord, you can pretty much get some of the most PREMIUM audiophile quality known without going truly overboard into the upper-stratosphere of sound systems!
Hi John, another great review & revealing / thought provoking…
Would you consider ding a review of an Accuphase Integrated Amplifier ?
Wonderful review with great product comparisons! I love your enthusiasm; it’s very uplifting.
I have the Model 10 & Link 10N’s baby brothers, the Model 30 & Model 30N. The pair sounds wonderful – very rich, detailed, and warm on my Klipsch Fortes. Recordings have details and depth I’ve never heard before. This is also the first AMP/DAC combo I used that doesn’t have listening fatigue. I’m quite happy with these babies; however, after seeing your review, I sure wouldn’t mind a pair of the big guys.