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I am looking at purchasing a SACD player. Right now I am considering a Marantz SA-11S3 or an Esoteric K-07. Can anyone comment on either of these? Also, can anyone comment on the difference between a K-07 and a K-05?? Thank you.
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I am still using a Marantz SA-11S1 with the Ultimate Tube Mod by pcX. Great player, very musical, yet very different from Esoteric gear. I have also owned a couple of Esoteric CDP's.
Yes, the Esoteric models are built better, and more revealing, but to my ears, they sounded more like good Hi-Fi, whereas the Marantz sounds more like music. The Marantz sounds more like my analog front end, natuarl sounding, whereas the Esoteric models sounded more revealing, yet a bit etched in the highs.
The main difference between the K-05 and K-07 is they have different DACs and transports (presumably better for the more expensivve 05). The 05 is available in black and silver, the 07 silver only I currently understand.
Note that some Esoteric players convert DSD from SACD to PCM for replay. I can't find out if that is the case for these two players but you may want to investigate further. My impression is that they play SACDs directly however.
The Esoteric machines allow PCM (redbook) conversion to DSD if you like that kind of thing. They also accept wordclock input from an external source. The Marantz does neither. BTW I listen to one of the current Marantz range of SACD players regularly at a friend's place(it's a couple of notches down from the one that you are interested in)and like it very much.
Thank you John for the advice. If this was a few years ago, I would give the Oppo a try. I am really tired of the audio merry-go-round. I am looking to buy something and forget about equipment. I really want to get back to just enjoying MUSIC! PAR, I really appreciate your input. If anyone has anything else to add, I am all ears. Thank you again.
Someone also mentioned the Marantz Pearl. Would this be a big step back?
In my opinion the Esoteric would be my choice if looking for more of a neutral presentation. A friend had one going directly into a rack of Jeff Rowland power amps, just using the variable output.
I've heard the 11s in a few different systems, it's a great value performing beyond it's price. I'd choose it if looking for a more musical but not necessarily so linear presentation. It's nicely extended in the extremes and good pace.
Both brands are quite good and I think it would come down to listening preference and system synergy.
If considering used look at the levinson #512, incredible sound but lacking modern features, for example, no 5-channel or digital inputs, upsampling etc. just plays SACD/CD. But it plays those very very well :)
I will second the No. 512 -
I own an Esoteric UX-3 so I am a bit biased. I don't think you will find a better built player than the Esoteric, and the sound quality is top notch. Back in the day I had a Marantz SA8003 which everyone raved about but me. I found the sound to be quite ordinary and boring.
"Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells."
Esoteric offers many excellent spinners at various price-points!
Would the 05 be a huge upgrade over the 07?
You might want to check out the OPPO BDP-105D . That's what I use because it does everything digital in my system. It's certainly possible that the OPPO might not sound as good as the two you have chosen, but you'd have to listen to it in your system to make that determination. There is a 30-day return option if you buy directly from OPPO. I'm very happy with mine and I especially like the fact that I can plug external USB hard drives into it directly for use as a music server. Furthermore, it will play DSD from an external USB hard drive as well as PCM up to 24/192. It also sounds very good with SACDs in my system. You might want to check it out to see if you can save some money. My system is fully balanced, so I use its balanced analog outputs only.
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