Marantz PM12SE Special Edition Integrated Amplifier

 

Description 

The Marantz PM-12SE Integrated Amplifier delivers exceptional sonic performance tailored for discerning audiophiles. Featuring a powerful 100W + 100W output into 8 ohms (and 200W + 200W into 4 ohms), it combines refined engineering with premium components to bring out the full depth and clarity of any audio source. The fully discrete two-stage amplifier design ensures clean signal separation, while the high-resolution preamplifier stage, enhanced with Marantz’s proprietary HDAM-SA3 (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules), reproduces music with outstanding precision and vibrancy.

Equipped with Marantz's latest electric volume control, the PM-12SE offers analog-style usability with digital accuracy, reducing noise and improving channel separation. The built-in Musical Premium Phono EQ stage supports both MM and MC cartridges, offering warm, detailed playback from vinyl sources. With Current Feedback Amplification technology and dual independent power supplies for the preamp and power amp stages, the PM-12SE maintains dynamic range, speed, and tonal integrity. Inspired by the flagship PM-10, this amplifier is a harmonious blend of craftsmanship, innovation, and pure audio power ideal for elevating any high-fidelity system.

Features

The Marantz PM-12SE Special Edition Integrated Amplifier represents the pinnacle of Marantz engineering, drawing on more than 65 years of amplifier design expertise. Every component and circuit is meticulously tuned to deliver exceptional sound quality. At its core is a high-resolution preamplifier stage utilizing Marantz’s proprietary HDAM® technology, paired with a switching power amplifier design inspired by the flagship PM-10, ensuring clean, dynamic, and precise audio reproduction. The PM-12SE delivers generous output power of 100W + 100W into 8 ohms and 200W + 200W into 4 ohms, driven by a fully discrete, two-stage design with separate power supplies for the preamp and power amplifier sections to minimize interference and preserve signal purity.

A dedicated toroidal transformer for the preamp section ensures clarity and a strong, powerful sound foundation, while the current feedback design with wide-range circuitry maintains fast, accurate signal handling. HDAM® SA3 circuitry further enhances dynamics and keeps the signal path clean, while the MM/MC phono input with a new discrete Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ allows for precise, high-fidelity vinyl playback. Connectivity is enhanced with thick nickel-plated copper input terminals for CD and phono sources and Marantz-original high-purity copper speaker terminals, ensuring optimum signal transfer.

The amplifier features a linear volume control with an advanced electric volume system, a double-layer chassis, and a solid aluminum front panel for superior mechanical rigidity. For the purest sound reproduction, the Purest Mode deactivates unused circuits, keeping the signal path free of interference. Every component is carefully selected for audiophile-grade performance, including ultra-low leakage Schottky diodes, low-noise complementary transistors, high-grade resistors, custom electrolytic capacitors, audio-grade film capacitors, and mica capacitors, resulting in a meticulously crafted amplifier that embodies Marantz’s commitment to precision, clarity, and musical excellence.

Marantz Special Edition

The PM-12SE Special Edition embodies Marantz’s commitment to exceptional sound and meticulous craftsmanship. Each unit undergoes extensive and painstaking tuning by Marantz Sound Masters, combining decades of amplifier design expertise with dedicated listening sessions to achieve the exquisite sonic signature that defines Marantz. These Special Edition amplifiers are created for products with extraordinary potential, refined with extra attention to component selection, circuitry, and sound tuning. Originating from the highly regarded PM-12 and influenced by the PM-KI Ruby, the PM-12SE brings together precision engineering and artistic craftsmanship to deliver a truly superior listening experience.

Extensive Sound Tuning

Every PM-12SE amplifier is tuned through painstaking listening and testing by Marantz engineers in Japan and Europe. The team meticulously optimizes both the circuitry and the audio performance until the amplifier reaches the highest standards of quality. This extensive tuning process ensures a natural, transparent sound that faithfully reproduces every nuance of the music.

Marantz HDAM Technology

At the heart of the PM-12SE lies Marantz’s Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM® SA3), using discrete circuit boards to replace chip-based amps. HDAM technology ensures mirror-image left and right signal paths, superior slew rate, and lower noise, resulting in dynamic, accurate, and highly detailed sound. Paired with carefully optimized circuit layouts and premium components, the HDAMs deliver exceptional musical fidelity across all sources.

Marantz Musical Premium Phono EQ

The PM-12SE’s phono stage is designed for both moving magnet (MM) and low-output moving coil (MC) cartridges, featuring two-stage amplification that combines HDAM modules with JFETs for high input impedance. The no-negative-feedback design eliminates coupling capacitors, reducing distortion and ensuring pure and detailed vinyl playback.

High-Quality Volume Control

The amplifier employs a newly developed electric volume control IC, providing high linearity, excellent channel separation, and minimal distortion, while maintaining the tactile feel of a traditional analog volume control. This ensures precise, smooth control over the listening experience.

Current Feedback Amplifier

The Current Feedback amplification in the PM-12SE is optimized for Super Audio hi-res music, delivering wide bandwidth, rapid signal response, and minimal phase shift. By reducing negative feedback, this topology simplifies the signal path, achieving superb transient response, sonic transparency, and full-range clarity. It also maintains performance with challenging loudspeaker loads.

Powerful Amplifier

Derived from the flagship PM-10 design, the PM-12SE features a large output stage delivering 100W per channel into 8 ohms and 200W per channel into 4 ohms, providing ample power for even the most demanding speakers. The amplifier stage is directly connected to the rear panel PCB to preserve signal purity and stability.

Pure Analog Design

Marantz preserves all-analog signal paths, avoiding DACs or digital volume control to reduce noise and interference. A Power Amp Direct input allows the amplifier to function as a standalone power amplifier, ensuring a clean and unaltered audio signal from input to output.

Carefully Selected Components

Every component is meticulously chosen for premium performance, including discrete HDAM modules, high-grade resistors, Schottky diodes, low-noise transistors, and premium capacitors. Marantz engineers rigorously test and validate all parts, ensuring the amplifier delivers perfection in every listening session.

Multiple Analog Inputs and Outputs

The PM-12SE offers phono, CD, and line-level inputs, two pairs of recorder jacks, and preamp outputs, enabling connection to multiple sources and recorders. Its Power Amp Direct input allows it to integrate seamlessly with AV setups or other preamps for maximum system flexibility.

Dedicated Headphone Output

Using proprietary HDAM modules, the headphone amplifier provides high fidelity for a wide range of headphone impedances, including low-impedance models, delivering a detailed and immersive listening experience.

System Remote Control

The included elegant remote control operates both the PM-12SE and the complementary SA-12SE Super Audio CD Player, with remote input and output jacks for expanded system control flexibility.

Built to Perform

Like the complementary SA-12SE Super Audio CD Player, the PM-12SE Integrated Amplifier is constructed to the highest standards, featuring a front panel made from thick, heavy, non-magnetic aluminum to eliminate interference. The amplifier includes thick, nickel-plated copper independent input terminals for CD and Phono, along with Marantz original high-quality, high-purity copper-plated speaker terminals, ensuring the purest and most accurate signal transfer. Every element of the PM-12SE is designed to preserve audio fidelity, providing a foundation for exceptional sound clarity and stability.

Founded in 1953, Marantz has a long-standing tradition of designing high-performance audio components celebrated by music enthusiasts and critical listeners worldwide. With a philosophy that “Music Matters”, the PM-12SE Special Edition continues this heritage, delivering a best-in-class listening experience for both music and cinema. It embodies decades of expertise, meticulous craftsmanship, and the pursuit of pure, transparent, and engaging sound.