Marantz Model 30 Integrated amplifier

Love the style of this thing and the raw stuff of its construction is very significant.

The Model 30 is a 2-channel, all-analog, fully discrete integrated amplifier that outputs 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms or 200 W/channel into 4 ohms. And this device doesn't use just any old amplifier circuit—the power-amp section is directly derived from the company's flagship PM-10S1 and PM-KI Ruby, using the same switching power supply and Hypex NC500 switching amplifier to deliver the same exceptional sound quality. The only difference is that the PM10S1 incorporates two amps per channel in a fully balanced architecture, while the Model 30 uses one per channel in an unbalanced configuration.

The preamp section is no less impressive, thanks to the Marantz ultra-low-noise HDAM (Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Module), which includes dozens of hand-selected components that seriously outperform off-the-shelf parts. This assures that the Model 30 matches the pristine sound of its more expensive siblings.

In addition, the preamp and power-amp stages have their own independent power supplies. This is particularly important for the preamp, which gets stable power regardless of the demands from the power amp. The preamp is further protected by a dedicated, oversized, isolated toroidal transformer.

Old school specifications on distortion and noise. An ultrawide frequency response from 5 Hz to 50 kHz is the very definition of high-resolution audio, and a super-low THD (total harmonic distortion) or 0.005% (1 kHz, 8 ohms) means you hear only the music with no nasty distortion. The SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is 88 dB (phono MM), 75 dB (phono MC), and 107 dB (CD), which exceeds the dynamic range of CDs but not of SACDs.

Turntables are particularly important to people  and their Hi Fi systems now, and the Model 30 treats them with special care. The phono input implements the Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ and can be used with MM (moving magnet) or MC (moving coil) cartridges with a two-stage amplification that combines Marantz HDAMs with JFETs at the input stage. 

This non-negative-feedback design is simplified by omitting any coupling capacitors, further reducing distortion. Even better, the input impedance can be set to accommodate MC cartridges at three different levels or MM cartridges as needed.

The Model 30 is uniquely equipped with an input impedance selector. The input impedance can be adjusted to three different settings: MC LOW (33 ohm), MC MID (100 ohm) and MC HIGH (390 ohm).