I had the PM-11s2/SA-11s2 combo and it is probably the best value in high end audio today. Marantz doesn’t have the brand reputation that the esoteric brands like Accuphase or Luxman have, but they have economies of scale that Accuphase and Luxman lack as well. So dollar for dollar, you are always getting more with Marantz!
I moved from the PM-11s2 to the PM-10 first. What was tricky was that when measured into a resistor, the PM-11s2 outmeasured the PM-10 at low power and high frequencies. Yet, when I listened, I liked the PM-10 more. I thought it was sighted bias and seriously considered just sticking with the PM-11s2 but then I decided to try measuring the amplifiers with an actual speaker load instead of a resistor. Now, the PM-10 out measured the PM-11s2 in critical midrange areas! The PM-11s2 is so close to the PM-10 that it’s splitting hairs, but it does show that the PM-10 is a better sounding and better measuring unit but only when measured with an actual speaker load.
As a Class D design, the PM-10 actually has higher distortion for the ultrasonics. I think this is what imparts the hybrid sound signature where it sounds clean but has a bit of warmth.
The SA-11s2 essentially measures flawlessly with its Seiko DAC when fed SACDs and I also really enjoy the red book CD. I have purchased a SA-10 and I am not sure if the SA-10, which I have incoming next week will beat the SA-11s2 or not on the test bench, but it is insightful to hear that the the default Marantz settings are for the best sound as opposed to the best measurements. Seeing what they did with the PM-10, I have high confidence in their work for the SA-10.
Last, the MA-9s1 is probably still the gold standard. I recently saw an article which showed that the Marantz listening room when testing the B&W D4 was using the SA-10 with modified MA-9s1’s. They were clear to point out that these weren’t factory units but instead units that had undergone additional modification by the Marantz sound master, Mr. Ogata.
