Multichannel Super Audio CD Player SA-17S1

Key Features

Multichannel/2ch Super Audio CD and CD player CD-R/RW compatible Copper plated chassis Dual bottom plate Super-Ring power transformer with separate windings for analogue and digital circuitry Separated rectifier circuit for analogue and digital circuitry Separate power transformer and rectifier circuit for the FL display and -processor Current Feedback HDAM Customised high-grade audio components Relay muting Zero-Impedance Matching Joint Output filter switch (custom/standard) Phantom Center Start sound mode Hi-speed Current Feedback headphone amplifier Display-off Random and Program (up to 20) play Repeat (A-B/Track/All) play AMS (Auto Music Scan) D-Bus and dedicated remote handset

Product Fact Sheet

Marantz Europe B.V.

Circuit Design

The SA-17S1 is developed to be a dedicated music player for both Super Audio CD and conventional CD. Not combining the video facility, it is outperforming the well-praised SA-12S1 on sound quality. The SA-17S1 has the potential to set a new musical multichannel reference in the market like the highest rated Super Audio CD player ever, the Marantz SA-1, did in the stereo market. The SA-17S1s analogue audio circuitry is a full discrete design including newly developed Current Feedback HDAM modules that operates as a buffer amplifier and as a Low Pass Filter. These devices are doing exactly the same thing as IC OP-amps but outperform the regular IC OP-amps dramatically in terms of slew rate, resulting in a much more dynamic, accurate and detailed sound. There Current Feedback HDAM are no IC OP-amps used at all in the SA-17S1s analogue signal path. All six channels are completely identical in terms of components and circuit layout. This is extremely important to be able to enjoy a breathtaking sound stage on multichannel Super Audio CD material. The D/A converters are of course also identical for all six channels. Like in the SA12S1 we have incorporated the high grade Cirrus-Logics CS4397. These DACs are applied in a similar manner as we did in the SA-12S1; this means 3 DACs are used for 6 channel.

CS4397

In the final stage of the audio circuitry, the near to Zero-Impedance Matching Joint ensures the exact same ground potential for all channels. This improves the drivability of the next stage in your audio chain. The muting circuitry does not comprise of transistors but is designed with relay based switching, which contribute also to lower output impedance.
Zero-impedance matching joint and muting relays
The SA-17S1s power supply block is separated into several sections, in order to prevent any possible interference of digital noise into the analogue audio signal. Well-known sources of digital noise are the -processor and the FL display. An separate EI transformer is used for these two parts. In addition a Super-Ring transformer is applied for the audio circuitry dealing with both analogue and digital stages. The windings inside the copper shielded transformer are split and separated for the digital circuitry and for the analogue audio circuitry. The latter receives its power through a dedicated rectifier circuit that is placed in separated area to prevent any interference.

Super-ring transformer

The SA-17S1 is equipped with a wide variety of high-grade customized components and envisions Marantz know-how of Hi-Fi audio equipments. The Super-Ring power transformer is just one example. Other examples are the stress-free electrolytic capacitor and the shot-key diode. These are used in the rectifier circuit. High-grade electrolytic and film capacitors are used in the audio circuitry. All the regulators are covered with a copper plated shield that prevent regulator to vibrate and to prevent radiation of electromagnetic noise.
Stress free electrolytic capacitor

Customised Capacitors

Copper plated shield on the regulators
For the headphone listeners we have paid extra attention the headphone circuitry to ensure that the pure emotion of SACD is passed on. A dedicated amplifier is developed with a high speed Current Feedback circuitry constructed of discrete components only including a high grade potentiometer for the volume control.control.

Headphone PCB

Unique Features
Phantom Centre Mode It is not always possible to install Centre channel speaker. Therefore the SA-17S1 facilitates a unique Phantom Centre Mode. Unlike a digitally down-mixed phantom centre that is mostly facilitated by DSP surround machine, the SA-17s analogue mixing circuitry of the phantom centre wont introduce quantisation noise. Start Sound Mode You can select which of the Super Audio CDs layers (multichannel or stereo) to be read first after inserting a disc. Output Filter Switch Set this switch to CUSTOM if your entire system is compatible with Super Audio CDs wide band capability. Otherwise set it to STANDARD to prevent inter-modulated distortion.

Phantom centre PCB

Outputs/Inputs
6ch Analogue unbalanced outputs Digital coaxial (x1) and optical (x1) output RC-5 (in/out) AC mains connection Headphone output

Specifications

Super Audio CD
Number of channel: up to 6 channels Frequency response: 2Hz 50kHz (-3dB) Dynamic range: 114dB THD at 1kHz: 0.0008% Number of channels: 2 Frequency response: 2Hz 20kHz Dynamic Range: over 100dB Analogue output: 2.2V Digital coaxial output: 0.5Vp-p Digital optical output: -19dBm Headphone output: 0.5W / 32 Power supply: AC 230V 50Hz Power consumption: 24W Colour: Gold Remote Control: Net Weight: 11.5kg Dimensions (W x H x D): 458 x 110 x 394 mm

Output

General