A: Every Marantz product is developed with the intention to handle the audio signal as pure as possible. With that shielding is a important part of the whole design. Any disturbance from outside influences can affect the audio signal in bad way. Unfortunately problems can occur during audio signal transportation from source to destination. To decrease the risk of disturbance, our reference products have the option of 'balanced' input connections. The audio signal is than transported twice with opposite phase. Difference signal of both signals represents the original audio signal. If a disturbance occurs, both signals will be disturbed in the same way but the difference signal remains the same. The disturbance does not affect the original audio signal.

A: Tweeter and woofer are separately fed to prevent interference of kick-back signal which is different from both speakers due to the difference in frequency.

A: Marantz design their amplifiers to have robust power outputs. For the very demanding listener Marantz offers the ability to use more and separate stereo or mono power amplifiers. These amplifiers can be used in BTL (bridged transformer less) mode. When operating in BTL mode, the amplifiers operates as a mono amplifier with twice the power rating. By offering the normal mono signal to the left channel and the inverted signal to the right channel of the power amplifier, the difference signal represents the amplified monaural signal with twice the original power.

A: In order to produce the most detailed sound at low sound levels, Marantz has equipped the top of the range PM8000 amplifier with a Class A amplifier. By increasing the idling current of the power transistors, the transistors operate in their most effective workarea. Resulting in a sound reproduction of even the finest details in sound. This higher quiescent current results in a lower amplification efficiency. Therefore, if higher output is needed, Class A can be switched to standard Class AB amplification. Just by pressing a switch on the front panel.

A: Reduces signal-degrading from electro-magnetic radiation.

A: The Marantz D-Bus remote connection allows linkage to other Marantz components for integrated systems operation. The D. Bus interface allows all amplifiers and receivers to act as the remote control centre for an entire Marantz system. The D.Bus enables you to control remotely a product, e.g. a tape deck, which does not have a remote control or an IR receiver, but which does have a D. Bus connection. It also makes it possible to make synchronised recordings to tape and ensures accurate and professional home recordings.

A: Sampling theory: Take two times the needed time and take the related samples. A digital signal consists of '1' and '0'. If a laser beam on a CD player is reflected it is a '1', and if it is not reflected it is a '0'. For signal measurement not the absolute reflection is used but both the reflection changes are used. Writing a CD player means that you write zero's, as the CD surfaces is reflecting from itself. If the laser beam is fully reflected (that's a '1') it will generate more then 5 volts. If it is not fully reflected it will generate a signal between 0-2 volt. The standard sampling frequency is 44.100. A sampling rate of 44.100 means that the original analogue audio is sampled 44.100 times in one second. Per sample the amplitude of the signal is measured in volts. The returned amplitude is converted into a bit rate. This measured amplitude is converted to digital information with a 16 bit resolution. A resolution of 16 bit gives you 65544 positions to approach the amplitude of the sample. Each bit position can generate 3 dB so 16 bit can generate 96 dB. The big advantage of digital signals is that there is no noise interference (because there are only 2 signal values: one and zero)

A: This is a sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories. For more information check their web site at: http://www.dolby.com

A: These are sound technologies developed for home cinema systems. For more information check the Dolby Laboratories web site at: http://www.dolby.com

A: DTS is a sound technology developed by Digital Theater Systems Inc. for home cinema/home theatre systems. For more information go to: http://www.dtsonline.com

A: Discrete circuitry to replace IC op-amps with low-noise independent components and short signal paths. They preserve the dynamic structure of music so that even vulnerable high frequencies are translated accurately. The result is an effortlessly dynamic sound that's both expressive and detailed.

A: Energy created by speakers as reaction to signal input. It is returned to the amp. but not used. Woofers create more kick-back then tweeters.

A: In the past, lack of finesse in filtering a signal's spurious images and unwanted noise compromised even technologically advanced multi-bit DACs by introducing 'ringing' distortions. Without sophisticated filtering even the Double Crown would be humbled. For the CD-7 Marantz has stepped right into the digital domain. By using Digital Signal Processing Marantz has developed a brand new filter which acts with extreme subtlety and precision before the data stream is converted from digital to analogue. Dubbed the Linear Music Filter (LMF), the new digital design delivers extraordinarily accurate reproduction by responding to instructions encoded within the MZ777f DSP chipset. It can compensate for the characteristics of analogue filters to ensure a flat frequency response and zero phase distortion in the audio band, while its 4x oversampling shifts spurious images and noise far outside our range of hearing. It's a far advanced manifestation of the standard 'FIR' digital filter used in many of todays less exalted applications. It remains true that the original FIR's audio characteristics are preferred by music lovers. However on the downside, it introduces 'pre-' and 'after ringing' distortion when it fails to respond with sufficient precision to amplitude impulses. Its variant, the more precise-acting 'Short FIR', shows less attenuation above 20kHz whilst retaining the same sonic character. For the LMF however, Marantz created a filter preserving that sonic character, but whose impulse response (behaviour in time) is so precise as to significantly cut down after-and especially pre-ringing distortions, so that reproduced music retains all the attack and dynamism of a live performance. In tandem with this, a gentle-acting 3rd order bessel analogue filter in the CD-7 offers optimum impulse response and lowest phase distortion after D/A conversion. [Graphs (2x)]

A: With multi-room you can enjoy your system wherever you want to - in the attic, bedroom, basement, kitchen... The output from the main system is easily routed to other areas in the home through cables concealed within walls and along skirting.

A: The power amplifier drives the speakers. The pre-amplifier is for selecting the input source, controlling volume and balance, and equalizing the tone (bass, treble). A unit combining both a power amplifier and a pre-amplifier is called an integrated amplifier. The main function of the amplifier is to increase the amplitude of the audio signal with the same frequency and lowest distortion.

A: The power supply of any audio device 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.

Transformer + Elco + Rectifier

A: Audio signals are extremely vulnerable to distortion of any kind, causing extra noise to the original signal. Distortions are also likely to occur inside the device, especially switches and sound control potentiometers are common sources of noise. Therefore Marantz is using special relays for switched input circuits. These relays are electronic switches with high quality contacts in a dustfree environment. A pure and noisefree audio signal is the result.

A: When it seems appropriate this switch allows you to put sound quality before tuner sensitivity. When there are few or no stations broadcasting near your chosen frequency, switching to "wide IF" improves imaging and high frequency accuracy. When a desired station is surrounded by other signals, selecting 'narrow IF' is recommended since it can pull-in the best possible signal for processing.

A: Short signal paths have less distortion compared to long paths.

A: Only one transistor unit is used to amplify the signal. One transistor is used for the positive swings of the frequency and one for the negative swings. Push is negative curve; pull is positive curve.

A: The reaction speed of semiconductor components (expressed in volts per millisecond)

A: Bypasses all regulators in the pre-amplifier (balance, treble, bass)

A: For detailed information about Spatializer please check the web site of Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc. at: http://www.spatializer.com

A: The Super Audio CD is a next generation music format that provides a more natural, ultra-high quality stereo sound. It offers consumers a smooth migration path to higher quality sound, as all existing CDs can be played on the SACD system. Also, the use of a hybrid disc makes the system fully backward and forward compatible. It offers additional features such as multi-channel sound, which delivers the most exciting and participatory audio experience possible. The SACD format is based on DSD-recording-technology, which uses 1-bit delta-sigma modulation and a sampling frequency that is 64 times higher than that of the CD. This enables the SACD format to offer a frequency response of 100KHz and a dynamic range of 120 dB across the audible range that allows for true reproduction of original source material without the omission of any naturally occurring sounds. As you perhaps know, the CD uses 16 bit PCM recording technology at a 44.1KHz sampling rate. The frequency response of the CD is limited to 22.05KHz and its dynamic range is limited to 96dB.

A: A stereo system is built-up of two physical circuits. These circuits are both built-up symmetrically (for stereo amplifiers) to establish the same electro-magnetic influence on both circuits.

A: THX is a digital sound technology for home cinema systems. For more information look to the Lucasfilm Ltd. Web site at: http://www.thx.com

A: The automatic 'transparent mode' on our CD recorders bypasses superfluous circuitry and reduces risk of signal interference. It prevents the signal from 44.1kHz sources being unnecessarily altered due to the Sample Rate Converter.

A: Another sound technology, for audio and home cinema systems. For more information look at the site of SRS Labs Inc. at: http://www.srslabs.com