Integrated amplifier Marantz PM-14 MKII KI. Introduced for the first time at the end of year 1999, and at that time it was the heaviest, the most advanced and the most expensive gear from Marantz. Although it cost a fortune (6300DM) ,it was still cheaper, than Accuphase or McIntosh and the performance, luxurious touch and quality of assembly was pretty much the same. From outside the PM-14MKII KI looks similar to the former PM-14, but inside it has been improved under the watchful eye of Ken Ishiwata.

Disassembling the aluminium top- and double-layer copper bottom-cover and taking a look inside the machine makes it clearly understandable, why it is so heavy. It’s amazing how damn well the guys from Marantz have designed it. Every single part of the amp, including the aluminum housing is a separately engined module, put together with hundreds of copper screws. The whole electronic stuff sits in a heavy, pure copper frame.

The hearth of the amp is a massive toroidal power transformer, supported by 2 Elna main power caps with a total capacity of 30000uF (power amp stage) and 4x2200uF Elna Cerafine caps (preamp stage). Furthermore there are 2 independent heat sinks distributing the heat from high power, copper shielded Sanken power resistors. Each channel has it’s own PCB equipped with extra shielded HDAM module and some additional power, accumulated in 2x4700uF Elna power caps. The Phono and CD (XLR and RCA) stage share the same circuit board, larded with a lot of Elna 1000uF caps. All other in- and outputs have a separate PCB, the same concerns the volume control PCB (fully motorized Alps potentiometer + a pair of HDAM modules) and speaker terminals PCB. Briefly speaking it’s a pure high-end at it’s best.

Retail price in Germany in 1999: 6300DM
Retail price in Germany in 2003: 3200€
Retail price in Italy in year 1999: 5300000 lira

High-end stereo amplification

Build to perform at a very high audiophile level, the PM14mkII now has a even more stable power amplifier by using the current feed-back power amplifier. Difficult loads are driven easily and with perfect control. Resulting in an amplifier that equals the highest achievements of Marantz designers and engineers.

Balanced inputs

A lot of problems occur during audiosignal transportation from source to amplification. To decrease the rise of disturbance, our reference PM14 has the option of balanced input connections. The audiosignal is than transported twice with opposite phase. Difference signal of both signals represents the original audio signal. If disturbance occurs, both signals will be disturbed in the same way but the difference signal remains te same. The disturbance does not affect the original audio signal.

Symmetric Circuit Architecture

To achieve the best possible sonic performance, signal paths need to be short, direct and mirror imaged. The construction of our circuitry provides improved stereo image by ensuring symmetry between right and left channel layout, including separate L/R solid heatsinks. Rigid die-cast chassis and solid metal construction creating an anti-resonant environment.

Relais switched input circuit

Audiosignal switches are extremely vulnerable for dust, causing distortion of the original signal. In general switches and soundcontrols are common sources of noise. Therefore Marantz is using special Relais Switched Input Circuits. These Relais are electronic switches with high quality contacts in a dustfree environment. A pure and noise free audiosignal is the result.

Linear drive power supply

Marantz’ Linear Drive Power Supply (LDPS) makes sure that there will always be enough power available to drive the speakers even with the very highest dynamics. The LDPS also enables the amplifier to drive difficult speaker loads.

Toroidal Power Transformer

The power supply of any amplifier is like the heart of the product and is therefore the most expensive to produce. Therefore for all Marantz premium products Toroidal Power Transformers are used. These transformers have a higher efficiency then ordinary laminate designed transformers coupled with the advantage of extremely low electromagnetic radiation. Therefore noise and hum into surrounding circuitry is reduced to the absolute minimum. The sonic result speaks for itself.

new HDAM

Only the best is good enough! In order to use equipment from several brands together in one system, the audio industry made a signal pre-out standard. To convert the audio signal to this specification, every audio device has been equipped with Op-amps (operational amplifiers) for which integrated circuit are commonly used. Unfortunately these IC’s do not match the very high requirements of Marantz. Marantz developed it’s own discrete circuitboards. These HDAM’s consists of discrete surface mount components with short mirror image L/R signal paths. These devices are doing exactly the same thing as the Op-amps, but outperform the regular integrated circuit Op-amps dramatically in terms of the Slew Rate, resulting in a much more dynamic, accurate and detailed sound.

Current feedback power amplifier

Unlike conventional Voltage feed back amplification, the Current feedback amplification makes the power amplifier in-sensitive to difficult loudspeaker loads.

Active 2 Gang Volume control

Active two gang Volume Control circuits ensure the best possible signal-to-noise ratio at normal listening levels. The active circuits, with negative feedback loop, adjusts gain relative to volume level, so that noise generated by the amplifier is reduced accordingly. The absence of active circuitry in most mainstream amplifiers means that lowering the volume level the noise level is unchanged.

WBT speaker terminals

WBT is a specialised company which is fully dedicated towards designing and producing high quality audio connectors. Their products are fully accepted as the reference for audiophile products. For this reason Marantz equips our premium products with WBT connectors.

Temperature Indicator

Marantz amplifiers offer music reproduction in the purest form, right from the moment the device has been switched on. However for maximum performance, it is suggested the amplifier is given time to warm up. The Temperature indicator clearly displays when the amplifier works at the optimal operating temperature.

Modification details compared to the PM14:

• Defined CDR input
• Current feed-back power amplifier
• Increased HDAM current
• 2 Gang Volume Control

• Rated power output (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 2CH simultaneous drive):
  • 100 W x 2 (8 Ω load)
  • 160 W x 2 (6 Ω load)
  • 200 W x 2 (4 Ω load)
• Total harmonic distortion (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 2CH drive, 8 Ω load): 0.01 %
• Cross-modulation distortion (SMPTE): 0.01 %
• Output bandwidth (8 h load, 0.04 %): 10 Hz to 60 kHz
• Frequency response (CD, SOURCE DIRECT): 5 Hz to 60 kHz, +0/–1 dB
• Damping factor (8 h load, 20 Hz to 10 kHz): 120
• Input sensitivity/input impedance:
  • PHONO (MC): 290 µV/100 Ω
  • PHONO (MM): 2.6 mV/47 kΩ
  • HIGH LEVEL: 280 mV/10 kΩ
  • MAIN IN: 1.8 V/100 kΩ
• Output voltage/output impedance
  • PRE OUT: 1.8 V/250 Ω
• Maximum allowable PHONO input (1 kHz):
  • MC: 11 mV
  • MM: 100 mV
• RIAA deviation (20 Hz to 20 kHz): ±0.2 dB
• S/N (IHF A network, input shorted):
  • PHONO (MC): 76 dB
  • PHONO (MM): 90 dB
  • HIGH LEVEL: 110 dB
• Tone control:
  • BASS (100 Hz): ± 8 dB
  • TREBLE (10 kHz): ± 8 dB
• Supply voltage: 230 V AC, 50 Hz
• Power consumption: 300 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 458 x 166 x 464 mm
• Weight: 23 kg
• Accessories:
  • Remote control unit (RC-17PM): 1
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 44 x 239 x 17,5 mm
  • Weight: 189 g

”
Absolutely superb machine, I purchased the KI version which as some fancy up-grades on the passive components – does not impose on the source and has a lovely way of smoothing out imperfections. It does tend to be a bit warm – personally I see that as a real bonus at I love RnB and Jazz. Can listen to it for hours with no sense of fatigue – just continual pleasure. Bass is very good, as well as the sound staging – likes its vocals too – in that hi-end japanese way it brings the vocals to the front of any music where intended.
“

Jeff A D, audioreview.com, 29th November 2002

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The PM-14MKII has been reviewed for several times in different audio magazines. Here is a list of those, that I know of. Unfortunately don’t have any scans:(

• Stereo 3/2001 (German)
• Audio 12/2000 (German)
• Stereoplay 4/2001 (German)