Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier and LINK 10n Reference Network Audio Player Preview

The Basics:

Marantz needs no introduction here, as they have been around for decades. Their vintage amplifiers have garnered incredible levels of praise from audiophiles around the world. Marantz is also distinguished by their excellent source components and surround sound products. Marantz has been further upping their game recently by releasing three reference components in their new 10 Series product collection. All three products represent Marantz’s effort to create state-of-the-art source and amplification products for the ultimate two-channel listening experience. The three models are the MODEL 10 Integrated Amplifier, the LINK 10n Steamer/Preamplifier, and the SACD 10 SACD Player (not reviewed here).

The Rundown:

The Marantz MODEL 10 and LINK 10n that we have in for review are the brand’s current flagship integrated amplifier and streaming preamplifier, respectively. Both of these products are the highest expression of Marantz’s technical expertise that has been developed and refined over decades of innovation. The MODEL 10 amplifier is a beast of an integrated that can deliver 250 wpc into 8 Ohm loads and then it can turn around, double down, and will give you a massive 500 wpc into a 4-Ohm load. Wowza! It is big and heavy, despite being a cool-running SMPS design. I love the backlit front panel, along with the open mesh top which is also illuminated from within. It is undeniably sexy.

Marantz was kind enough to send along a matching streamer, the LINK 10n. This streamer has every feature I could ever need. It runs in the HEOS ecosystem and can stream music from virtually every service on the planet to include its use as a Roon endpoint. The LINK 10n has Hi-Res audio support up to DSD 11.2 MHz and PCM 384 kHz / 32 bit. It also has MM/MC gain and equalization, HDMI eARC input, and a line level subwoofer output. I love that both components share the same size of chassis while the LINK 10n has a decent sized display for album art and track information during playback.

In my upcoming review, I will be testing these fine products with a variety of speakers, including the VIVID KAYA 90s and the DALI EPIKORE 7s.

The Follow-Up:

We have reviewed quite a few Marantz products here at SECRETS, none of which live in the rarefied air where the MODEL 10 and LINK 10n roam. However, we do have a number of recent reviews of other products that would be considered competitiors to these two power houses –

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 Integrated Amplifier Review – HomeTheaterHifi.com

MICHI P5 Series 2 Preamplifier Review – HomeTheaterHifi.com

MOON 681 Network Player/DAC and MOON 641 Integrated Amplifier Review – HomeTheaterHifi.com

NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier Review – HomeTheaterHifi.com

Be on the lookout for our full review to drop on the SECRETS website in the coming weeks.