Technics SU-MA10
(1990 - 1993)

Massive integrated audio amplifier with built-in 1-bit MASH digirtal stages and monitoring loop - plus bombastic reservoirs of caps, heatsinks and transformers.

Each X-Pro capacitor is in fact two-in-one: one for positive phase and one for negative. Besides this, these beer cans are copper topped and plotted into composite materials for less vibrations and even less magnetic leakage. The two 300VA transformers are of the EI kind and wound with OFC copper. The dual-mono structure is followed through the back with the input terminals centered vertically and the output posts being, previsibly, spread over the left and right sections.

The MASH d/a section, running the entire depth near the bottom plate, is typical of MASH sections: multi-stage noise shaping with several PLL loops to output every digital bit in good order and amplitude. This MASH section is connected directly to the power output section. Added to it is "Class AA": stabilizing input and output voltages for a 140dB digital s/n ratio...

Part of the penultimate high-end Technics full lineup, at 107,000¥, loaded as it was, the 25kg SU-MA10 was quite a bargain. It still is but it's pretty rare anywhere.