Marantz PM-16 (1986–1988)
The Marantz PM-16 is a heavyweight integrated amplifier from the mid-1980s, produced from roughly 1986 to 1988. It belongs to the era of large, powerful Japanese integrated amps that remain popular with enthusiasts today. Documentation on this model is thin. What the record shows is a lot of muscle: 110 watts per channel into 8 ohms (DIN), with 180 watts available into 4 ohms. One sales listing calls it "an absolute monster amplifier in every respect" and "brutally powerful" - fitting for a 16 kg chassis with 440W power consumption.
The documented specs are a damping factor of 200 and a high-level frequency response of 10 Hz to 100 kHz. Signal-to-noise ratios are 105 dB (high level), 86 dB (phono MM), and 74 dB (phono MC). Input sensitivity is 150 mV for high-level sources, 2.5 mV for MM phono, and 0.15 mV for MC phono. The unit measures 437 × 128 × 366 mm.
One caveat: the power ratings conflict across sources. 110W at 8 ohms appears in two listings, but other sources claim 130W or 160W. The gap may come from different measurement standards (DIN vs. RMS) or different loads, but the record doesn't settle it. No THD figure, preamp circuit details, or input/output configuration is documented.
The sparse technical record aside, the PM-16 has a following. For-sale listings call it "one of the best sounding units Marantz made," with examples asking $2,150. Little independent review material survives, and the amplifier does not appear in the period publications indexed in this archive.
- Power Output: 110W/ch (8Ω, DIN); 180W/ch (4Ω)
- Damping Factor: 200
- Frequency Response (high level): 10Hz–100kHz
- S/N Ratio: 105dB (high level), 86dB (MM), 74dB (MC)
- Input Sensitivity: 150mV (high), 2.5mV (MM), 0.15mV (MC)
- Dimensions: 437 × 128 × 366 mm
- Weight: 16.0 kg
- Power Consumption: 440W
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