Marantz LINK 10n

This is a design approach typical of professional equipment and the finest high-end electronics, in which the mechanical layout becomes an integral part of the electronic design. Looking at the LINK 10n from the inside reveals a feature that perhaps no official photograph can fully convey. What is striking is not so much the presence of a particular technical solution as the extraordinary coherence of the whole. Every element seems to have been designed to work in harmony with the others, with no sections that were simply added or adapted as afterthoughts. This is likely the feature that sets the LINK 10n apart from most of its competitors. It is not so much the presence of a proprietary converter, discrete HDAM modules, or a dual toroidal power supply, but rather the fact that all these solutions were developed simultaneously as parts of a single design.

Sophisticated Streaming

The LINK 10n is designed to be the heart of a modern hi-fi system, offering a comprehensive, versatile streaming platform that’s seamlessly integrated into the Marantz ecosystem. Thanks to HEOS Built-in, it provides direct access to leading online music services, including Qobuz, TIDAL, and Spotify—all in their Connect versions, Amazon Music and Internet radio, with the ability to control playback from the HEOS app and create multiroom systems with other devices in the ecosystem. Compatibility with AirPlay 2 ensures seamless integration with Apple devices, while Roon Ready certification makes it ideal for users of sophisticated music libraries and advanced audio management systems. For locally stored music, the LINK 10n can play files from network servers via UPnP/DLNA—and is therefore also JPLAY-compatible—as well as from USB devices, supporting high-resolution audio formats up to 384 kHz/32-bit PCM and 11.2 MHz DSD.

Listening

The first impression is that of a device designed without compromise, in which the analog section plays a central role—far more important than in most streamers on the market today. This is evidenced by the presence of dedicated preamplified outputs, separate from the fixed-level line outputs. In fact, this is not simply a streamer with a digital volume control or an output stage adapted to directly drive a power amplifier. The LINK 10n is a true preamplifier, equipped with an analog section developed with the same care given to dedicated preamps, and this design choice becomes clear within the first few minutes of listening. The system used for the test consisted of the brand-new B&W 804 D5s, alternated with the Vivid Audio Kaya S12s, the Unison Research Unico DM V2 power amplifier, and the New Horizon 301i turntable equipped with an Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. The impression is one of extremely refined reproduction, capable of combining precision and musicality without ever sounding artificial. The level of detail is very high, but it is never pushed to the forefront simply to impress. The musical details emerge naturally, without exaggeration, allowing you to easily follow the secondary melodic lines and the interplay of individual instruments even in the most complex passages.

The low frequencies are one of the speaker’s strongest points. They impress not so much for their quantity as for their quality: the bass is perfectly defined, rhythmic, and fast, with sharp contours and a level of control that allows you to follow every note without any sense of bloat. Even the most high-energy recordings always retain remarkable intelligibility, without ever losing articulation or precision. The midrange is probably the LINK 10n’s strongest point. Vocals sound free, natural, and believable, free of that slight coloration that often characterizes many digital products. Acoustic instruments retain rich harmonics and an extremely realistic presence, conveying a sense of fluidity that makes listening a relaxed experience even after many hours. The handling of silence is exemplary: each note has its own attack and natural decay, and between notes, there is all the breathing room needed to reconstruct the musical event with extraordinary credibility. The high frequencies are equally convincing. They are extended, perfectly focused, and rich in subtle details, yet never aggressive or fatiguing. Cymbals, strings, and reverbs retain their brilliance and airiness without losing naturalness, helping to create a wide, airy, and believable soundstage.