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I've owned this player for about 7 years and have no complaints. For some of that time I left the player on 24/7 which in hindsight I probably shouldn't have done. Now I'm wondering if I should be replacing the capacitors, at least, and maybe thinking about a few mods. I used to own the Sony 777ES SACD player and had a few mods done to it which, for the money, never seemed enough bang for the buck, IMO. For the Marantz, I could take it to a Marantz authorized service centre and ask for new caps and leave it at that, or source some premium type of caps and go from there. Mods I've been reading about seem very appealing in the $1,500 - $2,000 range, but do I need them? Going with just new caps is way cheaper but I still have the question if they need replacing, in the first place? In general I'm balancing 'need' with 'want' having just made significant upgrades elsewhere in my system. I need/want to know if the player is at it's best?
Anyone here have some advice or recommendations?
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
NT
Nothing yet. I'm not sure which mod package to go with and like someone asked, "What's wrong with how it sounds now?" I like the sound it has now and I'm suspicious of mods since I had a few done on my Sony 777 and felt the improvements were marginal. The question still lingers whether I can get more out of the player? So, taking my time to decide. Glad to have all the feedback from everyone here. Thank you!
My entire system is modded...almost. Even a Pass Labs Xono and Pass Labs XVR-1-3 (3 way crossover). Magnepan 3.6 speaker mods (Dueland Cast copper crossover network for the tweeter mid-range) cost as much as the speakers. 2 amps, Counterpoint NP220s; they're totally custom.
I have 2 pieces I haven't touched - an ARC Reference 40 Anniversary preamp and my SA-7S1. Well, I changed the fuses out in the Marantz.
I've looked at every modifier everyone suggested here and a few more including an extensive one in the UK (I'm in the US).
I've made up my mind. The player sounds so good, I'm not touching it.
Good to know Barry. What did you hear different when you changed the fuses in the Marantz, and how do you change them? Thanks.
Here are some links on fuse impacts and how to's:
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=hirez&m=281506
The thread also includes some ideas I got from a You Tube video awhile back which I can't seem to find now (grounding the chassis, shorting the digital clock input, and putting a copper sleeve over the power cord input connector).
Ok, I lied. I did modify my SA7 S1 a little bit but all the changes are easily reversible. Not sure any of these made that much of a difference even though theoretically they make sense.
I know this one will sound different (better?) - a totally tricked out Marantz SA, (complete with schematics and parts list) showing better bigger PS caps, new clocks, RFI shielding, wire changes and better, discrete, local regulators everywhere!
http://www.fidelityaudio.co.uk/the-worlds-greatest-marantz-sa-11s2--sa-7s1-22-w.asp
Too bad we can't hear the results here in the USA.
Thanks! for sharing- Barry.
SA 7 is a fine player. I doubt mods would do much to improve it. You might be convinced you hear improvements because you have paid for them. There are strong diminishing returns on audio upgrades. If you are happy with the sound, save your money.
.
Far be it from me to stand in the way of someone trying to tinker and see if he or she can improve things, but what it motivating this?
Is the sound bad?
Especially for Marantz gear, I'd imagine the stock caps would be the best sound.
BTW < excellent SACD player. I nearly bought one of them, but got an Ayre C-5xeMP instead. But ... I always think "what if" :-)
============================
As audiophiles, we take what's obsolete, make it beautiful, and keep it forever.
Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
The output coupling caps are Elna Silmic II. These are very nice electrolytic caps, but the absolute best are Black Gates. However, BG's are now obsolete and command ridiculous prices. Most available now are fakes, so don't fall for it, unless you really know who you're dealing with. If you can be certain they are genuine, the cost might be worth it for this player.The Silmic's tend to smooth out high frequencies, which is the primary reason the stock Marantz players have a very smooth, somewhat laid back sound. There is excellent resolution and spatiality, but the highs are just not quite entirely open and the bass can be very slightly thick.
The BG's will provide all the best qualities of the Silmic's with tighter bass, and they will also open up and extend the highs without producing any brightness. Quite a trick, and NO other electrolytic cap can do it.
Many have tried various combinations of lesser caps with small film cap bypass, but this can lead to some odd resonances or smearing of the signal.
Perhaps in the SA-7, the output caps have been put back-to-back in series to form a non-polar electrolytic, which can provide lower distortion, but that also might actually magnify their laid back qualities. I have never seen the inside of an SA-7; I am projecting from my SA-11, which is the next cheapest model. The circuit of the SA-11 has space on the PCB for back-to-back caps but only a single cap is installed. I expect the boards for the SA-7 and SA-11 are the same or very nearly so. I removed those four caps and installed genuine BG's, resulting in the improvements I described above. I have not made any other modifications other than adding a bit of damping material to the frame, (already superbly isolated but not damped), the cover, and the laser enclosure.
In a player of this quality, I really suspect that some mods are merely a gimmick to milk dollars from people intensely interested in obtaining the best sound. I believe that the mod to the output caps (at least four, possibly eight) would provide the single biggest improvement. Seek out someone who can do that, and you'll probably achieve nearly all there is to get from this superb machine. You will spend 10% of the original cost, and easily get a 10% or more improvement. Spend all that other mod money on SACD's.
Peace,
Tom E
Edits: 08/11/15 08/11/15
TomE-
why are the BG obsolete?
because the corporate world is a screwed-up place
well known that they have been out of production for quite a few (8, 10?) years
Tom E
Interesting...
it seems to me that a group of individuals could get together and start producing BG again?
You make good points.
I had my SA-7S1 modded by Jena Labs a few years ago, and it's bested all comers in my reference rig, including EMM, Accuphase, Luxman, Ayre, and several others. The stock unit is really nice, IMO, but Jennifer's mods take the player into the stratosphere. It's amazingly resolved, but in a most effortless, natural manner. I've had many people (most of them diehard analog-philes) comment about how liquid and unstressed the player sounds, much like premium LP playback.
I think there are about 12-15 units (including mine) out there in the world. I haven't heard even a remotely bad word about the player. I can provide a little more detail if you're interested.
I bought the obese Marantz SA-7S1 when it first arrived,wanting to like it, I wasted 750 hours burn in time before selling it on, the guy I sold it to also put it up for sale I month later.
NT
I could not see the point of upgrading my SA7-S1 as recommended by Mark Lawton in his Positive Feedback Online review, especially as it is a SACD Stereo only player and not very good with RB CD, my modified old Marantz CD94 is considerably superior.
Edits: 08/09/15
We obviously have very different experiences with this player. I think it is an excellent platform for modding, and it's served me well for a number of years now. As for its redbook performance, I disagree with your assessment. Even stock, I thought it was very good with CD. Modded, it's considerably better. Just my opinion, of course.
I have to assume you have never auditioned a vastly superior modified Marantz CD 94. Furthermore the 1541 double crown dacs used in the modified CD94 are widely recognised as the best ever 16 bit dacs, the ones used in the SA7-S1 are no where near as good, your modified SA7-S1 will never equal the redbook performance of a modified CD94.
Edits: 08/09/15
Can you comment on the CD94 mods?
The CD94 mods are extremely complex ,initially they were done by Geoff Bull back in 1992 and later even more by a friend who is a electronics engineer, he has done the same mods to his Philips 960 bought on my recommendation still used virtually every day, it would not be worthwhile to do them today, virtually everything has been changed. the dac upgraded to double crown then lead shielded,, new transformers, board plug & sockets eliminated all direct silver wired, heavy duty mains lead, new improved clock, black gate caps, vishay resistors, new belts ,, etc. etc, as I no longer used mine being into mch sacd, I sold it on as I was made an offer I could not refuse, still working excellently after 25 years, despite Ken Ishiwata Marantz telling me many times that the laser etc, would soon fail. it never has, seems to be bullet proof.
Edits: 08/09/15 08/09/15
I'm not sure how you can make a statement like "Your modified SA-7S1 will never equal . . ." without having heard my player, which you clearly haven't. But you're entitled to your opinion.
Thanks, Quint. Will investigate this. :)
The upgrade is above your stated budget--I paid about 3k--but IMO it really does elevate the performance of the player to an unbelievable degree. Of course, one's ears are the final arbiter, but to me it was well worth the expense. I'm constantly bombarded by temptations of computer audio, ever-growing sample rates, etc., but Jen's modded Marantz has me in a pretty sweet spot. Good luck on your search!
There are advantages to the Synergistic Research products I have mentioned as a pathway to improving the sound.
1. You can place the Electronic Tunning Circuit devices where they make the best change in sound to your ears and in your total system. I have a Marantz SA11-S1 and an Oppo 105 both professionally upgraded by two different companies. But in the end it is just their oppinion of sonic improvement developed in their system.
2. You have time to hear if they work or return them for a refund.
3. When you go to sell or junk your player (maybe Marantz runs out of critical parts), remove the Synergistic research devices and use them on your next Player, DAC, streamer or whatever.
4. I found the placement process educational and sonically rewarding. And I am certainly no longer afraid to open one of my components
The Synergistic devices sound interesting. I have not experienced them. In the final equation, personal experience is the final arbiter. I've had some people look cross-eyed at me for some of my recommendations, but I'd swear they're crazy for doubting me. :)
I'd love to know a little about the upgrade. Whatever detail you want to provide. Thanks
E
T
I just looked at the marantz 7 mods by underwood. They look useful, but do not appear to do anything to the clock or the output. In other words, you are stuck with the stock output module. Again, a look at http://m.musictechnology.com (bill thalman) shows a difference in applying money to the clock and output. Simple things like fuses, power cords and isolation are critical as well. Good luck!
/
Thanks for that. I had a similar concern.
Am looking at this mod:
http://www.underwoodhifi.com/modifications/sa7s1
Not sure what it all means but it looks impressive, and expensive.
Black Gate capacitors are out for production since 2006. (near 10 years). All these electrolytics have a shelf life of only a few years.I am surprised some people are treating it as NOS. And some people still believe it. LOL
Edits: 08/10/15
I believe Jena Labs does an upgrade. I would also call Bill Thalami. Let us know how it works out.
caps could last another 20 years..I would suggest to leave tham alone..
The life of capacitor (I mean electrolytic ones) will depend on what grade of the capacitor you use !Also those still working ones (after few years of usage) does not necessary mean 'still good sounding ones'. 20 years seem too long for a CD player to remain in top form.
I found re-capping after a few years will keep your machine in good form.
Just my 2 cents and YMMV.
Alan
Edits: 08/10/15
My friends modified 23 year old Philips 960 CD player still sounds excellent so does the Marantz CD94 I sold, the collector owner says he can find nothing better, he has 10 other CD players.
Edits: 08/10/15
Do you mean modified and then use it for 23 years ?
or
Modified after 23 years of usage ?
modified and then used for 23 years, still sounds excellent only repairs required are new belts.
But you will not be able to compare how it sounds like 23 year ago and now.
As far as we can tell the old modified players are still the same,they sound excellent , as newer players tried for comparison are no better or not as good.
Edits: 08/11/15
I have to say it is hard to believe. Even my taste of music has changed for 23 years, some performance for a drying up electrolytic giving the same performance 23 years ago. Hard to swallow.
Believe it or not thats how we find it SQ still excellent. . My musical taste has not changed over 50 years, I am still only into Classical & so-called easy listening. I detest Rock, Pop, etc. and all those long haired tattoed , drug ridden scum bags strumming guitars and banging drums .
No wonder why. For your 50 years of listening, your ears probably deteriorate in the same rate as the electrolytic capacitors drying up.
Just kidding.
Fortunately both my hearing and electrolytic caps have not dried up, both still excellent. The much younger audiophile collector I sold my modified 25 year old Marantz CD94 to, says despite constantly trying he can not find a better CD player irrespective of price and so far prefers the old Marantz I was going to say Golden Oldie but it is only the obese SA7-S1 that comes in a gold colour.
Edits: 08/15/15
I had a query;
how is your (UK) DA5400 ES different from the (US) version?
The UK version DA5400ES includes HATS for lowest jitter ,the US one doesn't.
Much Thanks!
Laughing...
Do you know his 10 other spinners?
Not all of them , he does have the Marantz CD7 & CD12 unmodified CD94 MK2 Esoteric, Ayre, says the modified CD94 is easily best. I have compared my old modified , player with the CD7, Ayre, various Esoterics , SA7-S1 & dCS all of them a complete waste of money as far as I am concerned. I do not regret selling the CD94 as I am very happy with my Sony XA5400ES/DA5400ES combo HDMI connected.
Edits: 08/10/15 08/10/15 08/10/15
Yes, the 5400ES & DA 5400ES are supposed to be quite a sonic match!
Yes fantja , Not supposed to be , SONY XA500ES/DA5400ES ( UK version with HATS ) are inseparable for best SQ especially mch SACD
Edits: 08/12/15 08/12/15
Very nice!
Thanks! for expounding on a theme, Disbeliever.
Some of those (now) vintage players were over-built and are difficult to beat ( no pun), in terms of sound quality! I am partial to Sony ES spinners, as for many years, that is how I got started on CD(s).
Yes, thanks. Good to know. I was told that the player uses non-liquid ceramic caps, so they last longer.
I have Marantz SA11-S2 which has been improved by tweeking.
1. Replace the stock fuse at the A/C inlet with an "audio grade" fuse such as the Synergistic Research RED fuse. Easy to do and an immediate change in sound.
2. Order two 5 packs of the Synergistic Electronic Circuit Transducers (ECT) and place inside the SACD player to decrease electronic noise. The Synergistic Research website has suggestions on places to try thr ECTs.
3. Try a different power cord on the SACD player.
The above Synergistic Research products are sold with a 30 day money back trial. The "audio fuse" and the ECTs can be removed and placed on a new piece of equipment when it is time to let your Marantz unit go.
Thanks! for sharing- David.
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