Digital Drive

Posted by mikel (A) on January 05, 2002 at 15:52:04

In Reply to: Re: Digital Dilema: Get a Linn CD-12 ? posted by iza on January 05, 2002 at 14:36:53:

hi Kyle,

i have not heard the modified Marantz SA-1's; i have heard the redbook performance is better on those machines......how much better i can't say. since you have a very modified XA777ES you would probably have a better idea than me about that issue. i am planning on buying a XA777ES for my theatre room. i saw the link on your page for audiocom; i am probably going to be moding my SA-1 soon.

the factory stock Marantz SA-1 is a good cd player; probably on par with most $4k to $5k cd players. i doubt if it is as good as the Audio Aero Capitol 192/24 or the Levinson #390s; maybe just below that level.

the Marantz SA-1 is a few levels below the Linn CD-12 when playing cds. with the Marantz you still get some roughness and edge that is gone with the CD-12. the resolution is good with the Marantz; but not at the level of the CD-12......especially on musical peaks with an orchestra at full-tilt-boogie....the Marantz gets congested and the CD-12 isn't even breathing hard; just totally natural. pianos and violins just sound much more like the real thing with the CD-12.....hifi verses music.

the CD-12 does that to some degree with every other 16/44 competitor; so it is not a knock on the Marantz SA-1. i have recently upgraded my system and these differences have become more pronounced, not only from the redbook performance of the Marantz to the Linn, but also from the cd to sacd......and sacd to vinyl. as my system becomes more resolving minor differences become major.....things jump out that may have been just hinted at.

the Marantz SA-1 is a great one-box digital solution for $3k to $4k used; but it doesn't compete with the CD-12.

enjoy

mikel