Hi-Rez Highway

Posted by FidPup (A) on October 18, 2007 at 09:29:17

Hi, All,

I recently compared the descriptions of the various selectable filter settings in the Owner's Manuals for the Marantz SA-11S1, SA-11S2 and SA-7S1 SACD players.

I found it interesting to compare the various SACD and Redbook filter settings between the three players...

First, it appears that the filter characteristics are the same for all three models when playing SACDs.

It also seems that the Redbook filter selections for the SA-11S2 are the same as for the SA-7S1, but have been changed from the SA-11S1's choices.

My impressions of the Redbook filter changes between the "old" and "new" models:

The SA-11S1's "default" Filter 1 has been moved to the Filter 2 position in the two new players.

The SA-11S1's Filter 2 (with the most severe high-frequency rolloff), or one very similar, has been moved to the Filter 3 position.

The SA-11S1's Filter 3 (the flattest) has been replaced with a new or different filter with flat response, and moved to the Filter 1 position in the new players.

So, in the SA-11S1 the order of the filter characteristics from 1 to 3 were 1 = mild rolloff, 2 = obvious rolloff, and 3 = flat.

In the SA-11S2 and the SA-7S1 the order is 1 = flat, 2 = mild rolloff, and 3 = obvious rolloff.

Incidently, here is my personal translation of Marantz's filter terminology:

Flat = "Clear" and "Profound"
Mild rolloff = "Analog-like" and "Well-balanced reproduction"
Obvious audible rolloff = "Comfortable playback balance"

Comments?

Ken

Edits: 10/18/07   10/18/07