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In Reply to: RE: new CD player and DAC needed posted by bean on May 21, 2016 at 22:09:02
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.
Follow Ups:
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.
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