RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 2, 2017 at 01:33:41
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 2, 2017 at 04:08:11
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	I am interested as well. This is such a new spinner, most have not had a chance to demo.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 2, 2017 at 04:38:16
PAR	Not sure that Marantz have actually supplied stock to dealers yet. In the UK we expect them later this month. Currently on pre-order only.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 2, 2017 at 08:55:00
akltam Audiophile Posts: 1057 Location: Hong Kong Joined: September 29, 2002	Why does it so long for Marantz (or other company like Denon or Yamaha) to come up with a player with USB input that can accept DXD and DSD 11.2 Marantz, you are at least 3 years late.

That's why I want one... nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 09:09:31
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

All Discs, incl Data Discs are up sampled to 4X DSD, not just Files. nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 09:10:54
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

RE: That's why I want one... nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 09:20:35
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	Stereo SACD , mch sounds best.

And , there is NO Dac, they say they have a new way of providing the Analog Output nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 09:21:04
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

Right, I'm sure it's good. I'm good w/2ch. nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 09:22:15
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

RE: And , there is NO Dac, they say they have a new way of providing the Analog Output nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 14:18:50
milpai Audiophile Posts: 651 Location: Ohio Joined: August 21, 2005	I understand that the player upsamples incoming data to DSD. Is there a NOS mode?

I don't know, but the Manual is available online. I'm, posted on February 2, 2017 at 14:25:38
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	waiting for reviews, not that I'll be getting one...

RE: That's why I want one... nt, posted on February 2, 2017 at 18:30:42
stator_99@yahoo.com Audiophile Posts: 527 Location: ohio Joined: August 24, 2003	Me too, totally cool with 2 channel playing into Soundlab electrostatics

RE: I don't know, but the Manual is available online. I'm, posted on February 3, 2017 at 14:04:00
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Reviews are nice as well as giving a shout-out for your Marantz dealer/retailer.

I am sold ! nt, posted on February 3, 2017 at 19:23:42
akltam Audiophile Posts: 1057 Location: Hong Kong Joined: September 29, 2002	.

I'm definitely intrigued, but my player keeps chugging along nicely, so I'll hold off, posted on February 4, 2017 at 05:48:16
Quint Dealer Posts: 3657 Joined: June 21, 2003	On a different note, I sure wish Marantz would bring back the champagne finish for the U.S. market. The black is OK, but, man, the champagne was/is special. I get a lot of comments about it on my player. This is a public service announcement . . . WITH GUITARS!!!

Not really new..., posted on February 4, 2017 at 06:38:25
Jim Pearce Audiophile Posts: 23694 Joined: January 4, 2002	This goes back to the original 1 bit high frequency DACs from Philips which filtered rather than converting for analog output. The Meridian 208 (Philips "bitstream" DAC3) back in 1993 did this, and it still is the best CD player I've heard in my system. SACD/DSD was just a way of pushing that technology back to the disc, eliminating the initial oversampling conversion of the PCM source.

RE: Not really new..., posted on February 4, 2017 at 09:50:55
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I found the original I bit bitstream inferior to the Philips 16 bit TD1541A S2 Double Crown Dac.

your Sony XA5400ES does the same thing..., posted on February 5, 2017 at 13:03:15
Jim Pearce Audiophile Posts: 23694 Joined: January 4, 2002	Maybe you don't like it either?

Or maybe a a LOT of Soundlabe eletrostatics..., posted on February 5, 2017 at 20:03:57

Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

Pretty sure Ray Kimber was doing at least 5 channel with these panels.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: your Sony XA5400ES does the same thing..., posted on February 5, 2017 at 23:51:03
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	Jim The excellent Sony XA5400ES is a mch SACD player, whilst the Marantz SA-10 like the previous obese SA-7S1 is Stereo only.

I'm talking about the conversion of PCM to 1 bit..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 06:17:14
Jim Pearce Audiophile Posts: 23694 Joined: January 4, 2002	Presumably your Sony does a very good job with CDs using this strategy.

RE: I'm talking about the conversion of PCM to 1 bit..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 07:59:30
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	It will be interesting to hear if the latest Marantz 1 bit dac is any better than the previous one, however as I have already posted I am not interested in Stereo only SACD players.

RE: I'm talking about the conversion of PCM to 1 bit..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 08:05:50

oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002

So the 5400 converts PCM to DSD on CDs?
I've never heard that before.
I like my 5400 on SACD, but it's thin and bright on CDs, not as good as XA7 CD player.
But, that being said, I love my HAP Z1 in Full-Sony Mode:
DSEE Auto, Remastering Engine On, Precision Upsampling.
It sounds much better than Mytek 192/DSD or Lampi Euforia, in direct comparison.
Sony's new Portable stuff has newer technology, I hope there is a Z2 in the near future
that uses it.

RE: I'm talking about the conversion of PCM to 1 bit..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 08:06:53
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	Right, so there's no reason to keep posting about 2 Ch equipment...

" We'd like to thank you Both for coming...", posted on February 6, 2017 at 08:08:28
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	Looks like some Concerts I've played.

RE: I'm talking about the conversion of PCM to 1 bit..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 08:16:27
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	My 5400 does not sound thin & bright on Cds, it is excellent as in the first Hi-Fi Choice review by Alvin Gold

Maybe the guy in the pink shirt..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 09:24:25
Ivan303 Audiophile Posts: 48887 Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM Joined: February 26, 2001	is using the 'don't bathe for a couple weeks' strategy in order to have the best seat in the house all to himself? First they came for the dumb-asses And I did not speak out Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 6, 2017 at 09:38:27
vahe Audiophile Posts: 449 Location: Houston, Texas Joined: September 11, 2005	For the list price of Marantz SA-10 one can buy a used but in mint condition Esoteric K-03x.

RE: I'm talking about the conversion of PCM to 1 bit..., posted on February 6, 2017 at 09:44:29

Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23694
Joined: January 4, 2002

Yes, definitely oldmkvi: have a look at Kal's review of your Sony: http://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-36-page-2#Exdjij4SPkvsOMgD.97 .

These things are always somewhat taste and system dependent. Of the three players that aspire to reference quality that I've owned and had in my current system: the Marantz SA-14, Esoteric DV-50 and Oppo bdp-95, none have employed this conversion to DSD. But my brother's Meridian 208 outperformed all three for CD, to the best of my memory, except for the Oppo with HDCD - where the Oppo is outstanding. Of these three players I liked the Marantz the least: not only did it take up extra space in my rack but it was overly warm relative to my system and taste. But knowing Marantz I'd be surprised if the new player doesn't sound "warm and liquid" as well, regardless of the "new" DAC technology.

My brother now prefers the Bryston bda-3 DAC, driven by the Meridian. While Bryston massively oversamples the PCM to 384/32 they keep DSD and PCM conversion totally separate "to avoid conversion", so that playback is "bit perfect" to the original media. Personally I've developed a resistance to these marketing claims based on competing technologies.

Strategy? I bathe once a month, whether I need it or... nt, posted on February 6, 2017 at 10:13:25
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 6, 2017 at 10:34:24
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	Why would anyone buy a Esoteric before auditioning the Marantz SA-10 ?

I will answer that, posted on February 7, 2017 at 13:54:57
Awe-d-o-file Dealer Posts: 21037 Location: 50 miles west of DC Joined: January 10, 2004	too small a market. Please dont try to say there is a big market of folks that want those features much less a CD player......except people like us ET "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

+1 Pretty much nobody buys..., posted on February 8, 2017 at 07:49:36
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46307 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	...CD players these days especially ones that costs $7K USD!! Even within the audiophile community which is a relatively small niche, buyers of CD players must be a shrinking breed. On a related note, I wonder with the resurgence of vinyl if turntable sales will (or have?) out numbered CD player sales lately. Hmm.

+2 I agree, posted on February 8, 2017 at 08:12:46
akltam Audiophile Posts: 1057 Location: Hong Kong Joined: September 29, 2002	And I feel bad about it that audiophiles are becoming niche. I remember about 20 years ago, people were queing up outside the Sonic Frontier shop (by the way, I am in Hong Kong) when they were having a sale.

Well, it appears to be much more-, posted on February 8, 2017 at 10:37:47

oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002

No need to Rip CDs, and I still have a lot, plus plays SACDs, all played at 4x DSD.
It eliminates the Ripping stage
Also, Data Discs will play, so no Computer hookup needed for HiRes, also played at 4X DSD.
Also a USB Dac and probably plays from NAS.
Seems very flexible, and the SAY it sounds great.

Less $ than PS Audio High-End stuff, Memory Player and the 10x DSD Dac.

I'm interested to read the reviews, but local Marantz shop would only special order it, not have on a shelf to audition.

I'm surprised there aren't any early reviews yet, I check from time to time.

For the month of May..., posted on February 8, 2017 at 11:45:52
Ivan303 Audiophile Posts: 48887 Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM Joined: February 26, 2001	might I suggest the 2nd? Afternoon or early evening? TIA First they came for the dumb-asses And I did not speak out Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: Well, it appears to be much more-, posted on February 9, 2017 at 00:32:00
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	Who is the SAY ?

To split hairs..., posted on February 9, 2017 at 14:11:42
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37673 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	He was showcasing his four channel Isomike recordings. Hence no center channel. Just ten (six front - four rear) nine foot tall honkin' stats! BTW, that's Connie from Sound Lab enjoying from the rear. Nice lady!

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 10, 2017 at 11:19:42

hiredfox
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: March 25, 2016

From snippets I've heard this is not a limited edition machine as such but will not be supplied to stock, it will be pre-order only at first so in effect built to order. Not all that surprising in today's market and for such an expensively built machine and somewhat of a bold gamble by D & M to project a new reference SACD/CD spinner for 2017 release when all the pundits tell us that streaming is the only ticket in town and that optical disc has been confined to history. UK deliveries are expected to begin in March - it keeps getting put back - but CG versions may take a little longer.

SA10-S1 comes in Black and Champagne Gold, Marantz expect demand to be for the black machine. I don't. Anybody willing to drop �6k on a Marantz reference player will choose CG surely with CD12, SCD 1, CD 7, SA7-S1 tradition.

Those friends who have heard it, rave about it... "far higher fidelity than SA7-S1" but more on the cool to neutral side. There are only 10 retailers in the UK (10 get it!) and as far as I have heard there will be none for demo in store at home or anywhere else. The UK has one review model slated and a queue for it around the block. No doubt KK at HFN will get first dibs over here.

No provision has been made for a Word Clock BNC input unlike the SA7-S1 and we all know how vast an improvement that made to timing, tonality and precision.

I have placed a pre-order which will surprise nobody that knows me including my derailleur old friend Gerald who disbelieves most things in hi fi as fake news.

Music Direct has it now, but still no reviews. nt, posted on February 10, 2017 at 11:26:08
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

RE: "Who is SAY?", posted on February 10, 2017 at 17:28:26

Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

SAY SAYS it sounds great!

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

Marantz, as there aren't any 3rd party reviews yet. nt, posted on February 10, 2017 at 18:51:11
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 11, 2017 at 00:55:46

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

HF. Yes much so-called High end is fake, can not be too difficult to make this new player sound better than SA7-S1. You well know that I would not be interested in stereo only Marantz SA-10 as for me mch SACD sounds far more realistic which I get from my excellent Sony XA5400 ES & DA5400ES combo that does output DSD. despite UK Sony technical saying it outputs PCM at the final stage. As for CG I prefer Black. I am suprised Ken abandoned mch having previously said it widens the sweet spot. Perhaps it is because of his disastrous 5.1 demonstrations.

cool sounds good to me..., posted on February 11, 2017 at 07:24:54
Jim Pearce Audiophile Posts: 23694 Joined: January 4, 2002	My SA-14 was warm and muddy. The thing is the Bryston bda-3 would be a more flexible and less expensive route for me to take, and I can hear it at my brother's house.

Maybe.... nt, posted on February 11, 2017 at 10:20:47
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

SA10 OWNER, posted on February 11, 2017 at 19:12:42

RIQUE
Audiophile

Posts: 128
Location: Florida
Joined: May 15, 2016

Hi every body. I just purchased a Marantz SA10. It surprises me how much speculation about this player has been posted without any factual information from owners.

Let me tell you the build quality is like that of a 7000$ player. Massive all copper box heavy and completely un resonant. Mechanical operation of drawer and key response if quite fast. How does it sound? Spectacular!
I am a die hard vinyl fan and I have a serious table and cartridge to compare it with. Playback of SACD's or DSD files produce as close a sound to analog vinyl as I have heard before. Warm sound with not a trace of CD brillance even on cds' Imaging and detail are first class. I downloaded a DSD file (Harry Connick Jr We are in Love DSD) and (Al Jareau My Old Friend FLAC) Loaded them on a USB Flash and plugged them in the rear socket. The SA10 recognized both flies quickly and played them back faultlessly. My next test will be if I can connect a streamer to the rear processor of the SA10. If you have any question I right here.

factual information from owners. , posted on February 11, 2017 at 20:46:40
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	Marantz has been advertising it for weeks. No reviews, no owners, until now. Post a Review. At the top of the page, not down here where we went seriously off-topic. You posted to a thread about bathing...

Speculation and press releases are all that has been available-, posted on February 11, 2017 at 20:53:11
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	Nobody has bad-mouthed it, lots of interested inmates here. Sometimes speculation is all we have. I'm certainly not going to buy one... $7000 at Music Direct.

What Digital sources have you compared it to?, posted on February 11, 2017 at 21:03:41
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	I don't use Vinyl as as my Standard. My Sony HAP Z1 and Macintosh D 150 sound spectacular to me too. I'd like to read about a comparison to other Digital competitors for the Marantz. I don't doubt it's very fine. The SA10 recognized both flies quickly and played them back faultlessly. It better. That's not really a Review. Tell us more.

Does the remote also control the headphone vol?, posted on February 12, 2017 at 07:07:00
Sibelius Audiophile Posts: 1369 Location: S.F. Bay Area Joined: April 4, 2000	or is that just if you are using a Marantz amp? Really interested in this piece. Please keep us posted on it.

RE: cool sounds good to me..., posted on February 12, 2017 at 10:25:24
Jack G Audiophile Posts: 9740 Joined: September 24, 1999	Interesting. I don't find the SA-11S3 to be overly warm or muddy. Certainly less warm than the PS PWT/PWD combo. That said, nobody is going to call it cold and clinical either. Jack

I've never heard the 11S3 Jack..., posted on February 12, 2017 at 15:43:48

Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23694
Joined: January 4, 2002

I can get a new one for $2999 Canadian; maybe I should consider it? On the other hand, it would need to go on top of my rack, taking up the space usually cluttered with CDs and SACDs. Those filter options are pretty much the same as my Esoteric DV-50. Maybe I should buy a laser and get the Esoteric fixed so that I can A/B it with the Oppo bdp-95. Frankly, the Oppo has made me skeptical of high end players in general.

I don't think the 95 is hi-end., posted on February 12, 2017 at 16:14:44
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	even the 105D has gotten mixed reviews. Marantz should be much better. The UD 7007 Uni player is now around $700. Mine was $1200, and I like it as a second system player and for movies/Netflix Streaming. Still, you can do better for more $.

RE: I don't think the 95 is hi-end., posted on February 12, 2017 at 17:32:20
Jim Pearce Audiophile Posts: 23694 Joined: January 4, 2002	I don't think it's high end - just as good or better than the high end players I've owned - much better than the Marantz SA-14 and as good as the Esoteric DV-50. As for reviewers, who knows what motivates them?

RE: I've never heard the 11S3 Jack..., posted on February 13, 2017 at 04:42:44
Jack G Audiophile Posts: 9740 Joined: September 24, 1999	Not huge fan of Oppo for music. They make fantastic Blu-Ray players, but I prefer to keep mine in the video system. of course, that is a matter of personal preference. Enjoy, jack

could be system/room dependent..., posted on February 13, 2017 at 07:32:15
Jim Pearce Audiophile Posts: 23694 Joined: January 4, 2002	I listened to the SA-14 for a couple of hours - with my discs, on two separate occasions - at the dealer before buying it. It sounded great there, and warm and muddy when I took it home. I do know that my CD sound (in particular) could be improved because my brother's Meridian 208 sounded better than my Esoteric. But I just don't know how to get there from here.

Maybe try different speakers? nt, posted on February 13, 2017 at 08:01:26
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

I misunderstood your post-, posted on February 13, 2017 at 08:26:35
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	I thought you didn't like the Oppo- Just the Oppo-site!

RE: Maybe try different speakers? nt, posted on February 13, 2017 at 09:23:08

Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23694
Joined: January 4, 2002

The Paradigm Studio 100 v3 was a perfect candidate (price/performance) for a system of five full range speakers - and is pretty darned neutral: http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/105paradigm/#aaERXigTQisrP7K3.97

Neither am I inclined to look at my five channels of 300 watts into 8 ohms of Bryston amplification (4B & 6B SST). But what I do know is that anything warm - even Cardas Golden Reference cables - sounds warm and muddy in my room. I think what is going on here is that the slight tendency of the Paradigms to emphasize the lower mid-range at the expense of the upper mid-range is being reinforced by the distribution of modes in my room. So I get a rich warm sound from slightly more "clinical" (and usually less expensive) components.

RE: Maybe try different speakers? nt, posted on February 13, 2017 at 14:47:06
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	I do not like warm and muddy as well- Jim.

Indeed! , posted on February 14, 2017 at 07:49:38

Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

IsoMike demo had no center channel. :-(

Sadly, he hasn't brought the big SoundLab speakers for quite a few years now.

Was always a highlight of RMAF when he did. We lived just a few miles south of Ogden, Utah during those years and I had the pleasure of seeing the IsoMike hanging from the ceiling while visiting Austad(?) Auditorium at Weber State University where he made many of his recordings.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: Indeed! , posted on February 14, 2017 at 09:45:46
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	What has this nonsense got to do with Marantz SA-10 ?

Absolutely, posted on February 14, 2017 at 11:20:20
Jack G Audiophile Posts: 9740 Joined: September 24, 1999	I've got mine going to a Pass Labs INT-60 driving ML Montis speakers. I've also had Ohm speakers hooked up which were significantly warmer. Its been a while since I heard the 208, but I remember liking it. :-) Enjoy, Jack

Why do you care?, posted on February 14, 2017 at 17:43:10
Ivan303 Audiophile Posts: 48887 Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM Joined: February 26, 2001	It's only a 4 channel set up! First they came for the dumb-asses And I did not speak out Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: Why do you care?, posted on February 14, 2017 at 22:34:37
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	This thread is supposed to be about the Marantz SA-10 not ridiculous 4 channel setups etc. I am waiting to read the Hi-Fi News review of the SA-10 which should appear in the shops on Friday.

RE: Why do you care?, posted on February 15, 2017 at 05:48:10
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Keep me posted- Disbeliever

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 15, 2017 at 07:06:55
Ivan303 Audiophile Posts: 48887 Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM Joined: February 26, 2001	Did I somehow misread your original post to this sub-thread? First they came for the dumb-asses And I did not speak out Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 15, 2017 at 07:32:00
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I am interested in seeing how test figures compare with my Sony XA5400ES player. Yes I would not buy the Marantz SA-10. Also interested in the new Sony X800 BD player seems to be remarkable value.

RE: Maybe try different speakers? nt, posted on February 15, 2017 at 08:18:32
airheadair Audiophile Posts: 393 Location: California Joined: October 18, 2010	I bought an SA14 a year or so ago. Although it may be somewhat warm, I don't find it muddy. My system is on the lean and dry side, with over damped bass. I remain a tiny bit tempted by the SA10....but it seems very extravagant. SACD's through the SA14 sound very good to my ears, the only real rival to vinyl.

And...? nt, posted on February 15, 2017 at 09:38:05
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 15, 2017 at 13:03:36
RIQUE Audiophile Posts: 128 Location: Florida Joined: May 15, 2016	I replaced my Sony XA5400ES with the SA10 and its in another league. It just blows it away to smithereens. I am finding some time to do a proper review. I will compare SACD, Vinyl and CD of the same recording to things into perspective. just give me some time. I'm busy guy.

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 15, 2017 at 15:24:38
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Yes! I am interested in a proper review- RIQUE. Give a shout out to your dealer/retailer whom sold you the SA-10 as well. I look forward in reading your listening thoughts/impressions.

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 16, 2017 at 00:34:28
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	For SACD how can the SA-10 blow away the 5400ES,as the SA-10 is a STEREO only player. You obviously have not heard the 5400ES playing mch SACD in DSD . I would however expect the SA-10 to better the 5400ES for red book CD ,I may buy one just to find out for myself.

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 16, 2017 at 04:31:46
RIQUE Audiophile Posts: 128 Location: Florida Joined: May 15, 2016	You are correct. I only have a two channel stereo system. In this area the SA10 is much better than the Sony both on SACD as well as CD. THe SA 10 also plays FLAC and DSD files.

RE: " For playing SACD its STEREO only , so no interest to me.", posted on February 16, 2017 at 05:54:44
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Very nice- RIQUE

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 16, 2017 at 11:09:20
hiredfox Audiophile Posts: 62 Joined: March 25, 2016	Am I the only one buying this machine on spec? Anybody else put down a pre-order deposit anywhere not just UK?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 16, 2017 at 11:18:54

hiredfox
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: March 25, 2016

The XA5400 ES is getting a bit long in the tooth now so where are you going from here, they can't last forever and Sony are no longer interested.

Marantz are proving to be an Audiophile's best friend; this is 2017 and we are getting a new high-end SACD disc player from them. Who else is going to make a commitment like that to us? Just cut them some slack Gerald and stop beating yourself up about them.

You will recall the XA5400 ES lasted only 2 months in my system and was much inferior to the SA11-S3 which lasted 5 months - both sold on e-Bay at their times. The weakness of the Sony is that conversion to PCM which ruins the DSD information, lowest common denominator and all that.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 17, 2017 at 01:05:43

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

So the Marantz lasted only 3 months longer than the Sony in your system which you never heard at its best for SACD. The XA5400ES for best digital mch performance must be connected by HDMI to the Sony STR-DA5400ES AVR which will output DSD despite Sony UK saying at the final stage it converts to PCM. There is nothing in the owners manual about DSD . I will look at the HFN review of the Marantz SA-10 today,

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 18, 2017 at 04:40:23
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	You go through many spinners- hiredfox. A Sony ES has its own "sound" much like, yet, different from a Marantz.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 18, 2017 at 13:59:42
hiredfox Audiophile Posts: 62 Joined: March 25, 2016	The Sony was intended to be the basis of a high end mch system that was subsequently abandoned through competing interest for funds. The Marantz SA11-S3 came after the SA7-S1 and was hyped as being 'better'... it wasn't! It is true that over the 18 year lifespan of SACD quite a few disc spinners have come and gone in my system, mostly Sony, Marantz & Esoteric. Not all have been bought new.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 18, 2017 at 15:42:15
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Very nice! hiredfox Which Esoteric spinner(s) did you own? I was impressed w/ the DV-60.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 19, 2017 at 05:23:33
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Many do like that SA11-S3.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 20, 2017 at 09:40:34
hiredfox Audiophile Posts: 62 Joined: March 25, 2016	Yes indeed and it is a good player but voicing does not really suit classical music strings and brass sounds a bit too bright and edgy whilst timing is nothing to write home about.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on February 28, 2017 at 14:01:10
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	I look forward to your review.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 2, 2017 at 05:08:44
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	I read the decent review in HiFi News. I would have liked to seen more musical numbers cited.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 3, 2017 at 13:04:25
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	An update- hiredfox?

RE: SA10 OWNER, posted on March 6, 2017 at 15:31:03
RandHat Audiophile Posts: 94 Joined: December 18, 2003	Did you connect the streamer? Does it work? I am looking for a new SACD/CD player and am very interested in the SA10. I would also like to be able to use the DAC for streaming. What has been your experience? It would be great to combine the functions of the Aurender A10 and the Marantz SA10 into a one box all purpose player :-) How close will the SA10 and its DAC get me?

RE: SA10 OWNER, posted on March 13, 2017 at 00:50:42
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	keep us posted- RandHat

RE: SA10 OWNER, posted on March 14, 2017 at 09:49:04
Felixer Industry Professional Posts: 41 Joined: August 2, 2010	Thanks for the mini review rique. I am less interested in using such a machine for playing Downloads. Downloads are on the way out, being replaced by streaming. And streaming is not a hi-res format, so streaming does not interest me either, other than for sampling material for purchase. I am mainly interested in physical format playback of hi-res SACD content.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 16, 2017 at 08:19:53
airheadair Audiophile Posts: 393 Location: California Joined: October 18, 2010	there is already one for sale on Audiogon, whatever that means.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 17, 2017 at 00:02:48
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	I know- airhead. Strange indeed?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 23, 2017 at 17:35:20
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Anyone get a "taste" of this spinner?

RE: SA10 OWNER, posted on March 26, 2017 at 22:20:28
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Wish RIQUE would provide a proper review/summary?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 28, 2017 at 14:03:51
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Frank I- received his player and will be posting a proper review soon.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 11, 2017 at 06:19:39
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	hopefully more reviews are on the horizon...

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 17, 2017 at 06:12:59

hiredfox
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: March 25, 2016

Apologies to all, this is not one of my most visited sites so not always up to speed with this sort of thread. Normally you can find me on HRAudio.net where music buffs can waffle aimlessly over the merits or otherwise of new SACD releases. Of course the hardware helps.

I've had my SA10-S1 up and running for almost two months now. I cannot commit to writing a review of the machine because of the time involved, in any case there are far more qualified scribes than me to do that sort of thing.

What I will say unequivocally is that this is the best SACD player that Marantz has ever produced and not by a small margin. In fact this is the best SACD player I have ever used or heard anywhere since the format began FULL STOP.

This machine is more transparent, more neutral, more detailed, more dynamic and more capable of reproducing recorded music than anything that has gone before and far better than vinyl for taking you into live performance. The soundstage is simply indescribable, the whole playback system becomes not only invisible but irrelevant as the back wall of your room lights up in the mantle of the orchestra stage. Every note, every phrase, every nuance of the music is revealed, every instrument is in place and rock solid, nothing is missed you can hear it all and you can follow two, three, four tunes at once from the various sections. The bass is deep, solid and in scale and the noise floor is so low that you can hear so Loooww down! The dynamic range can deafen you on some uncompressed recordings.

This machine gives you goose bumps, neck hair erections and a shed load of tears as the sweetness and accuracy of instrument timbres turns your emotions to jelly. Yep it is that good.

Is there a downside? There is never gain without pain. It is so revealing that it challenges the recording engineers art. Poor balance, spotlighting, compression, the use of reverb and so on can grate and native DSD recordings sound so much better and more realistic than PCM recordings, which you might have anticipated as this machine operates in the DSD mode throughout.

A few of my SACD are already on Amazon & e Bay because they cannot cut the mustard.

I just wish that the industry had found out how to close these particular stable doors a few years earlier.

I don't know Frank (the reviewer) but if he hears things differently to me it would be surprising.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 17, 2017 at 06:52:49
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thanks! for sharing-

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 01:51:47

hiredfox
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: March 25, 2016

Hope it was of some help. Of course there will be naysayers but in hi-fi it has always paid to be truly open minded. Some will be beyond help in that respect clinging to entrenched old beliefs as indeed do we all.

The SA10-S1 is only part of the story in high end playback, the rest of the chain must be good enough to support its performance. I doubt the PM10 will be but that's how Marantz project it and how Andrew Everard reviewed it, even then he gave it close on 90 points whatever that means.

�6k/$7k is not small change but many will say how can it be better than the latest dCS set costing mega bucks but as we all know it is not the size of the dog in the fight that matters. As I have reported (conversations in the industry) before had dCS produced the (sic) SA10-S1 at this quality of design and build it would no doubt have cost �25/30k+.

This is not the first time Marantz have pulled off this trick but that's what a large committed organisation can do. I honestly believe Marantz are on the side of the consumer in bringing their devices to market at affordable prices.

Last night having just returned from vacation I must admit to some trepidation as the SA10-S1 was fire up for the first time in two weeks, expecting perhaps to be disappointed after the initial euphoria had waned. There was no need to have been concerned I was there in the DZZ Studio in Moscow 'watching' Jurowski's Shostakovich 1 (Pentatone).

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 07:18:21
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	Well the first happy customer has appeared at last.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 08:04:04
airheadair Audiophile Posts: 393 Location: California Joined: October 18, 2010	How is its on Redbook? My relatively new Marantz SA14 is not bad on CD's but much better on SACD's. In fact some SACD's sound almost as good as my vinyl setup, and some may be better in some respects. But of course we have many more CD's than SACD's, so I don't think it would be sensible to consider upgrading just for SACD playback.

Page:

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Hi-Rez Highway

marantz SA-10

166.137.90.27