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In Reply to: RE: new CD player and DAC needed posted by airheadair on May 19, 2016 at 08:22:52
Let me thank everyone for their input and advice, which is pointing me more and more toward the Marantz SA11S3. I am especially grateful to PAR, who did some extra research on my behalf, in addition to providing impressions based on his listening. I have followed his advice and attempted to contact Marantz with some questions. Based on their website, it does seem that they offer very good support, which is certainly an important consideration.
May I ask, especially Jack, some more questions? In particular, how is the imaging and focus of the SA11S3? Some reviews of some of its predecessors fault it slightly in that regard. Imaging, in particular depth, is what I especially miss with my current CD player, compared to my vinyl setup.
Also, does anyone know if one can play AIFF files from a computer if one uses the optical input in the Marantz, instead of the USB input?
Thanks again.
Follow Ups:
My only comment would be to buy a CDP that sounds great from an established company that will be around several years from now in case it needs service. Especially true if you end up buying a rather expensive CDP.
I pity the Asylum inmate who sold his Accuphase and bought Raysonic a few years ago. After owning the Raysonic for a short time, he was in a frantic researching how to get it fixed.
I remember the conversations right here on the Asylum. The company went belly up so he was stuck with a useless boat anchor.
Just to clarify, the Marantz doesn't itself care what format the file storing the data is. The file format is decoded by the music player in the computer. The computer then outputs a data stream (normally a PCM one but sometimes DSD) to the computer. The computer is concerned with the data rate of the stream. So whether the storage file format is FLAC or AIFF or something else, the Marantz' ability to play music from it is limited by whether it is 16/44.1 or 16/48 kHz or 18 or 24 bit 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4 kHz etc. We currently assume that the acceptable data rates for the Marantz USB input is OK for all of those plus 24/192 but not, apparently, DSD.
As mentioned elsewhere optical receivers may be limited to a maximum 24/96 kHz. So the optical input will still play AIFF originated data so long as it does not exceed the maximum acceptable data rate.
Can answer some of you questions. The imaging and soundstage is excellent. The soundstage is very deep, something I look for. Focus is good, as good as anything I've had in my system. My speakers are omnidirectional, so that is harder for me to judge. I haven't used the inputs on the back, so I cannot comment on them.
I should also mention that the Marantz responds very well to tweaking. Vibration control, and especially power cords. Also, I turned off the headphone amp, digital output, and all of the lights and display. This made a noticeable improvement, lowering the noise floor and quieting the background.
HTH,
Jack
I was going to add to the Marantz recommendations. SA11S3 is a great choice if it's in your budget.
Regarding the rear input, it behaves like any other DAC. Up to 192/24 PCM via USB and coax, most optical is limited to 98/24 BUT I have tested 194/28 optical on my SA8004, and it worked. Source was a PC with a Juli@ sound card & JRiver as the player/program.
If you have digital files on a computer, the easiest way (I think) is to play them via a program like JRiver or Foobar, with the digital out via optical, coax, or USB (rear). The Marantz is functionally just like any external DAC, really.
The SA11S3 does NOT do DSD files via USB. The SA14S3 does, but it doesn't sound as good, and it appears you haven't gone down that path anyway.
I haven't spent enough time with the SA11 to comment on focus/ soundstage. But Marantz does have a house "sound" described as laid back or musical and it may or may not be not to your liking. Personally I think it would compliment the Stax quite well. Hifiman used an SA14 to demo their planar headphones at Axpona one year, nice combination.
Again, thanks for the replies. But now I'm getting a bit confused. "Bean" wrote:
"The SA11S3 does NOT do DSD files via USB. The SA14S3 does, but it doesn't sound as good, and it appears you haven't gone down that path anyway."
Actually I might be interested in DSD at some point in the future, and the SA14S1 is much less expensive, so I would certainly consider it, if the sound is good. Bean, did you mean SA14S3 (perhaps an older model?) or did you mean to write SA14S1? I've seen some fairly negative reviews of an older SA14 and also of a new SA14S1 SE (in a European site.) Can you elaborate on the sound difference?
Even worse, there is a threat on the computer audiophile forum in which several owners of the SA 11S3 have found that the USB B input no longer works with Macintosh computers running Yosemite. This would be very negative for me, since I was planning to use either the USB and/or toslink connections. I do have a fair number of AIFF files on ITunes that I haven't burned to CD and that I would like to play directly from the computer, and thought about higher resolution possibilities in the future too. I don't know if the SA14S1 has that problem too; it doesn't seem to require special drivers the way the SA11S3 does. Further digging reveals utter confusion about which DAC chip is in the SA14S1: Marantz says that it is the CS439, but others say that is wrong and that it is in fact the Burr-Brown 1729A.
Ah., life is complicated.
BTW, I seem to remember that someone mentioned that there is a DSD file of Patricia Barber's "Companion" album. I should mention that I am a huge fan of hers, and paid quite a bit of money for the 45 RPM LP version of that record, which sounds great. Strangely, some of her material that has been redone by Mobile Fidelity on LP sounds worse that than the CD version, (darker with rolled highs) and some sounds better. The original pressings are usually very good. I am a very proud owner of an original LP version of Modern Cool, which is quite fantastic.
that's one of my gripes with Marantz, the model sequencing is tough to keep straight with all the small incremental tech changes
Again I haven't spent a lot of time with the latest generation SA14S1 and SA11S3, but I found the SA11 to be top notch, and well worth the upgrade over the SA14, budget permitting.
I don't think there is as big a gap between the SA8005 and the SA14S1. Pretty sure they are both Burr-Brown 1729A.
don't know about the Apple driver issues, I'm a PC guy in spite of my daughter's best effort to convert me
Thanks again for everyone's help. I haven't made a final decision yet, but I'm inclined to try the SA-14S1. It seems to have the features I want, and I can hope that it won't have the USB issues that the SA-11S3 may. The latter also doesn't do DSD (which I may want someday). I haven't been able to determine exactly what the sonic differences are likely to be, but most people seem quite happy with the SA-8005 and the SA-14S1. The latter has a very good warranty, which appeals to me.
Further thoughts welcome. I did post a bit more about my findings on the General Digital forum if anyone wants to look.
Thanks! for sharing- airheadair.
Another option which I am considering myself is an Oppo universal player that outputs via HDMI. I am getting at some point a Bryston BDA-3 DAC which does both PCM and DSD.
Indeed.
I would add that it is a listen-for-hours-without-fatigue house sound, and that's without having to climb the price-ladder very high in their product line.
If I could find a used 120V KI Pearl in decent shape I would scoop it up in a heartbeat.
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