Marantz Super Audio CD Player (SA-KI Pearl Lite)

Although the SA-KI Pearl Lite is a brand new member of the KI Pearl family, it is also proven. That’s because it utilises the technology and the experience gained from the development of the highly-acclaimed Premium Range’s SA-KI Pearl. Which makes it a perfect no-compromise player for CDs, SACDs and even USB devices with MP3, WMA and iPod/iPhone files.

In addition, this bright little protégé can also be directly connected to your PC without a network set-up. Thanks to its B-type USB input on the rear panel, the PC will recognise it as an “audio card”. As an added bonus, the optical and coaxial digital inputs mean you can use it as an external DAC too.

All these connectivity options make the SA-KI Pearl Lite very convenient, but convenience is just the start. All these different sources use the same excellent audio processing, so all your music will radiate the same intense lustre and inner glow of a perfect pearl.

Marantz SA-KI Pearl Lite - Super Audio CD Player Features:

Ken Ishiwata Edition
SA-CD (stereo), CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA playback
Toroidal transformer Copper plated chassis
XYRON Loading mechanism
Discrete symmetric circuit architecture
HDAM & HDAM-SA2
iPod / iPhone compatible
DAC Mode with 3 digital inputs incl. USB type B
Gold plated outputs
Remote bus
Dedicated Remote Control

Marantz SA-KI Pearl Lite - Super Audio CD Player Reviews & Awards

TechRadar.com - 4½ Stars - September 2010
'Lite' in the context of this review means 'much more affordable', but that doesn't mean the Lites have been stripped to the bone.
The disc player is simply excellent, and in keeping with the amplifier, creates a combination that is easy on the ear, with expansive, stable imagery, and a very open kind of voicing that makes for easy and consistent longterm listening.

What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision - 4 Stars
Great build quality; superb spec; spacious soundstage; warm, smooth sound.
This approach is largely based on faithfully reproducing the original recording, but with a touch of added warmth to the mid and mid-high frequencies. Broadly speaking, it works very well indeed.

Hi-Fi Choice Recommended Award
The beautiful amp and player adorn the front cover, the contents page, and their coverage culminates in an incredible four page review complete with a ‘Hi-Fi Choice Recommended’ award. This really is a terrific result. Recently re-vamped, Hi-Fi Choice sets out to be the essential magazine for audio excellence in the home. It is a no-nonsense guide to the finest products available, from vinyl and valves, to multi-channel digital audio and high-fidelity video. Hi-fi Choice’s publishers claim a readership of over 20,000 audiophiles every month.

Watch the Marantz KI Pearl Lite Series overview on Aussie Hi Fi's YouTube channel (1:19).

Marantz SA-KI Pearl Lite - Super Audio CD Player Specifications

Disc Capacity 1
CD Compatibility: CD / CD-R/RW / SA-CD / WMA / MP3 / ID3 Tag / WMA Meta Tag
iPod / iPhone compatible USB input
DAC operation mode: USB / Coax / Optical
HDAM version HDAM+HDAM SA2
Power Transformer: Toroidal
High Grade Audio Components
Customised Components
Symmetric circuit layout
Copper plated chassis
Extra metal plate for chassis strengthing
Digital out off
Headphone: OP amp + Buffer
Zero Impedance Matching joint (copper)
Separated rectifier circuit for analogue and digital circuitry
Display: Dimmer / Off

Playback
Program Play (CD) 24
Auto Music Scan (AMS)
Repeat
Random Play
Start Sound Mode for SA-CD

Inputs/Outputs
Analogue Out (Cinch) 2ch
Digital Optical In / Out 1 / 1
Digital Coaxial In / Out 1 / 1
Sample Rate digital In 192 kHz / 24-bit
Gold Plated Cinch
USB Audio (Front ) / Made for iPod / Works with iPhone
USB type B input for PC (back)
Sample Rate USB type B In 96 kHz / 24-bit
D-Bus
Headphone Out
Headphone Volume Control

Specifications
Mechanism XYRON
Decoder MT1389EE
D/A Conversion Multi-bit, Delta-Sigma
DAC IC CS4398
Digital Filter CS4398
Noise Shaper CS4398
Low Pass Filter stage HDAM
Output Buffer HDAM SA2
Headphone amp NJM2114
Frequency Response (Cust.) 2 Hz - 50 kHz
Dynamic Range (SA) 112 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio (SA) 110 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (SA) 0.002%
Channel Separation (SA) 110
Frequency Response 2 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range 100 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio 110 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.002%
Channel Separation 100dB

General
Metal Front Panel
Remote Control RC004SA
Power Consumption in W 25
Standby Consumption in W 0.3
Auto power off
Detachable Power Cable
Maximum Dimensions (W x D x H) in mm 440 x 344 x 109
Weight in kg 7.8

About Marantz's KI Pearl Lites

When the Original KI Pearl were first introduced they were universally acknowledged as supremely exquisite high audio gems. Not only did they take music sensations to new heights, they were the ideal tribute to Ken Ishiwata’s 30-year association with Marantz. At special listening demonstrations across the globe, music lovers were first captivated and then totally spellbound by their supreme performance. However, as a highly exclusive limited edition, they were also beyond the reach of many.

That’s why Marantz decided to reuse all that had been discovered in developing the original Pearls to create the KI Pearl Lites. So that more people could take part. Importantly, the new Lites embody the same passion, the same commitment, and the same emotion as the original Limited Edition. Only the exterior design is different, their performance is still sublime.