Marantz PM-17SA ver.2 (2002)
The Marantz PM-17SA ver.2 is a Japanese-market integrated amplifier released in 2002 at ¥120,000. It revises the earlier PM-17SA and was built around what Marantz called "Absolute SA Technology", a refinement program aimed at better sound for the Super Audio CD era. The basic architecture carried over from the original PM-17SA: a current-feedback preamp section, Marantz's proprietary HDAM voltage amplification modules, and twin-monaural construction. What changed in the ver.2 was the execution. Parts, power supply and wiring were thoroughly reworked in pursuit of higher speed and lower noise. The power supply gained a low-impedance foil-type Chemicon capacitor block, while the transformer stayed a super-ring core toroidal type. Marantz also brought in higher-grade resistors, film capacitors, and Schottky barrier diodes in the rectifier circuits. It completely reconsidered the ground potential by reworking the low-impedance power feed lines and GND bus bar.
Rated output is 60W + 60W into 8 Ω, 80W + 80W into 6 Ω, and 100W + 100W into 4 Ω. Total harmonic distortion is listed at 0.01% (20 Hz to 20 kHz, both channels driven, 8 Ω). Intermodulation distortion (SMPTE) is also 0.01%. Frequency response via the CD input with Source Direct engaged runs 5 Hz to 70 kHz +0/-1 dB. Output bandwidth at 8 Ω extends from 10 Hz to 50 kHz at 0.04% THD. The damping factor is rated at 100 into 8 Ω. Signal-to-noise ratios are respectable for the period: 112 dB on high-level inputs, 90 dB on phono MM, and 76 dB on phono MC.
The phono stage handles both MC and MM cartridges. MC sensitivity is 230 μV/100 Ω, MM is 2.4 mV/47 kΩ, and maximum allowable input is 15 mV (MC) and 150 mV (MM) at 1 kHz. RIAA deviation holds within ±0.2 dB across 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Tone controls offer ±8 dB at 100 Hz (bass) and 10 kHz (treble). Inputs are four line-level systems, one tape loop, one CD-R/MD loop, one phono input, and a Main-in jack for using the amplifier as a stand-alone power amp. Outputs are pre-out, tape, CD-R/MD, one speaker pair, and a headphone jack. A Source Direct switch bypasses the tone circuitry entirely, and a Full Rec Selector allows recording one source while listening to another. A warm-up meter on the front panel indicates heat-up condition. Speaker terminals are German-made WBT units, and the included remote control has an aluminum top.
The unit draws 180W and runs on 100 VAC (50/60 Hz), which confirms its Japan-only status. It measures 458 mm wide, 110 mm high and 429 mm deep, and weighs 16.0 kg. The casework came in a gold-champagne finish, typical of Marantz's late-1990s/early-2000s Japanese offerings.
Owner commentary from a Russian forum (stereo.ru) is limited. One listener notes the 17th model is "not as bad as people spit on it." He observes that it won't play heavy music convincingly in a large room, but in a small room it handles all genres. The same poster places it among the more successful examples of Marantz's lower line, the sort of model that outperforms its position in the hierarchy.
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