RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 08:52:25
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	It makes no sense to upgrade for SACD with a STEREO only SACD player

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 09:00:50
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	Whilst I have not heard the SA-10, I suspect it will be far better with CD than SACD for the simple reason that SACD sounds best in mch, whilst the new Marantz like the previous SA7-S1 is stereo only and was easily out performed by a cheap BD player that also plays mch SACD's, which was one of the reasons I sold my Marantz SA7-S1.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 11:51:12

airheadair
Audiophile

Posts: 393
Location: California
Joined: October 18, 2010

"It makes no sense to upgrade for SACD with a STEREO only SACD player"

You keep saying that. But many of us, including me, only have a stereo system, not a multichannel system. I love my old speakers, and it would be completely impossible, for many reasons, to build them into a multichannel system.

Perhaps I could say more. I have many versions of Modern Cool (big PB fan), including vinyl, CD, and SACD. Although it is not the case for all of her recordings, I ranks these as follows:
vinyl > SACD >>> CD.

There is also a multichannel version of Modern Cool available, (Blu-ray?), which in fact won a grammy. I never heard at home, but did ask to hear at a local high end store. Although the sound was good, it made me feel as if I were in the center of the band, instead of the audience. So I don't think it is really realistic in that sense. So I'm not convinced I need/want multichannel.

Maybe you are saying something different; that SACD multi-channel has better intrinsic sonic quality that stereo?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 18, 2017 at 12:28:03

Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012

Its very easy to build a multi-channel system. I have two floorstanding TL speakers for front L & R , centre channel speaker under the TV , rear small B & W M1 stand mounted speakers ,Sony AVR , Sony sacd player,& Sony BD player this setup also doubles for HT.I use the pre-outs of the AVR into my stereo amplifier to power front speakers, the AVR powers only centre & rear speakers. Contrary to some so-called experts for mch you need 5 equal size floor standers & one or two subs, this is totally impractical for most and
unnecessary . You can use a cheap small Marantz AVR NR 1607 which has pre-outs.I listen to mostly Classical and a mch setup gives me Concert Hall realism not obtainable with Stereo. Most mch SACD's are not recorded inaccurately with listener in middle of orchestra.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 19, 2017 at 05:06:54

hiredfox
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: March 25, 2016

I have no idea how this thread works it all looks highly higgly-piggly to me and it is impossible to tell where comments are likely to appear but here goes in response to those asking about CD playback.

It is impossible for any sort of processing of 44/16 RBCD data to transform the sound miraculously into SACD quality. The SA10-S1 processes RBCD in a different way to all previous SACD spinners but it cannot and does not work miracles.

Compared with the SACD sound, there is very little depth to the soundstage, the soundstage is reduced in dimensions, there is a noticeable lack of precision in instrument placement, some of the harshness of upper strings and female voice are unbearably screechy and there are even some sounds I cannot recognise! There is definitely a sense of smoothing of detail but the sound is not warm. I find it aurally quite unattractive.

My Marantz CD7 and indeed the SA7-S1 do better jobs at RBCD playback. If you accept that the CD7 set the benchmark for RBCD playback and has never been bettered this new machine falls some way short of the SQ of the CD7. I doubt you will want to buy this machine for CD playback as its main duty.

Buy the SA10-S1 only if you want state of the art cutting edge audio sound quality from the very best SACD recording available today. Pentatone, Mariinsky & Challenge Classics discs sound best of all, all recorded in DSD. Reference Recordings discs also show up well. DSD retreads are exposed by the limitations of the original analogue recordings.

Those that bemoan the SA10-S1's lack of multi-channel capability will be surprised by what this truly high-end stereo reproduction can achieve especially in small rooms. It is also patently daft to compare the SA10-S1 sound to that of a sub $1k DVD player used for SACD mch playback.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 19, 2017 at 05:41:42
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Right On! hiredfox

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 19, 2017 at 21:32:36

airheadair
Audiophile

Posts: 393
Location: California
Joined: October 18, 2010

Thanks very much. I thinkI am the one who asked that question about CD playback. I agree that this thread (or these threads) are very hard to sort out, at least the way the software presents them. I'm glad I managed to find your post.

I think you have answered my question. To perhaps repeat myself: I have a Marantz SA14,
which plays CD's better than my Onkyo. It also plays SACD's, which the Onkyo would not.
Some of the SACD's sound superb: especially Duke Ellington "Blues in Orbit", and some
Patricia Barber SACD's. The SACD version of "Kind of Blue" sounds almost as good as the Vinyl,
the CD not so much. But in fact very little of the music I love is available on SACD, and it would make no sense to me to
spend the money necessary to replace the SA14 with an SA10 if most of that music would sound worse, even if the ten or so great SACD's I
have would sound even better.

The SA14 has been criticized in some places for excessive warmth; that does not bother me,
with my ESL based system.

Any further thoughts?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 19, 2017 at 23:36:37
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	H.F. Thanks for your comments that fully answer all I wanted to know about the Marantz SA-10.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 21, 2017 at 23:22:57
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thanks! for sharing- airheadair

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 23, 2017 at 13:41:38

rogl
Audiophile

Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: April 23, 2017

I am new to the forum and I would like to chime in on the new Marantz Sa 10 Hi Rez audio player. I now have around 100 hours of break in on the player and I have played quite a few cds and a few sacds. I think Ken Ishiwata of Marantz has something special with this new design. The sense of immediacy relating to dynamic range, musicality, detail and the timberal acurracy (with a feeling of delicacy in the playback of the music) is first rate. The sound stage is large and layered and the seperation of instruments and vocals is exceptional. I have found this to be true with well recorded cds as well as sacds. The higher the quality of the source material I put on always results in the feeling of being closer to the actual recording session. The music has a sense of livelyness and musicality that makes listening a real pleasure. I am very critical listener so the results I have found for myself with this player are satisfying. I primarily listen to Blues and Jazz and some Soft Rock. Some of the cds I have listened to are listed as follows: Duke Robillard-Blue Mood, Monte Alexander-Goin' Yard, Maria Maldaur-A Woman Alone With The Blues, Robin Ford & The Blue Line-The Authorized Bootleg, Eddie Vinson-Kidney Stew is Fine, Harry Connick Jr.-Eleven, Sacd Diana Krall-The Look Of Love
The associated equipment is listed as follows: Krell KCT preamp (with Siltech cast cable, Krell FPB 600C amplifier, Legacy Focus 20/20 speakers, Siltech LS188 speaker cables, and Siltech SQ110 Classic balanced interconnects
I am planning on recording some Hi Rez music files to a USB drive as an alternate souce for the DAC. It will be interesting to evaluate the results.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 23, 2017 at 21:51:26
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thanks! for sharing- rogl. Slowly, but surely, the word (and reviews) are coming forward.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 26, 2017 at 17:42:50
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Another +review by Luciano IT in a different thread.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 26, 2017 at 20:42:09
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Fantja thank you for the link. Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 27, 2017 at 13:24:54
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	my pleasure- rogl. The hope is that this special spinner catches on to others and we get more reviews. I will post if/when I can find a dealer/retailer in the U.S.A for audition.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 27, 2017 at 20:55:06
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Fantja I am lucky because Safe and Sound in Chicopee, Ma. is an authorized Marantz dealer. I live in Chicopee, Ma. so I was able to audition and buy my unit from Mike the owner. I think they are selling on ebay also. Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 27, 2017 at 22:32:15
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thanks! for giving a shout-out for your local dealer/retailer- rogl what other gear, including cabling, is in your system?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on April 29, 2017 at 05:19:22

rogl
Audiophile

Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: April 23, 2017

I have a Magnum Dynalab MD102T Fm tuner that was upgraded by Magnum Dynalab. It is essentially an Md106 without the magic eye tuning aid on the front panel. I also have the Monster Avs2000 automatic voltage stabilizer and the Signature Htps 7000 reference signal source for AC power conditioning. I use them primarily to suppress any AC noise or transients that could cause equipment damage or failure. I plug the power amp directly into the wall to provide maximum current to the amplifier for the best performance. I run a Siltech cast cable between my preamp and amplifier. This is used instead of a balanced cable for the audio path. This keeps the audio signal as a current source instead of a voltage source. The advantage is that current loops provide wide bandwidth, ultra fast speed, and great noise immunity. I run a pair of Siltech SQ28 Classic MK II between the tuner and the preamp. I think that covers the equipment and cabling that I didn't cover in my first post. I hope you find this info useful. Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on May 2, 2017 at 05:33:53
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Cabling is the most important (and forgotten) component- rogl.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on May 16, 2017 at 10:06:32
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	rogl- keep me posted as you continue to become acclimated w/ this spinner.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on May 29, 2017 at 16:30:36
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Hopefully, Frank I, is preparing his report and review soon.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on June 4, 2017 at 20:30:16
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Frank I - when does your review drop?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 1, 2017 at 21:31:27
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	rogl- how is the player settling in your system?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 10, 2017 at 02:25:21
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	FRank I- review will drop in October.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 11, 2017 at 21:39:15

rogl
Audiophile

Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: April 23, 2017

Fantja I have over 250 hours on the player now. I have been playing a lot of cds on a regular basis. Tonight I was playing a Telearc cd by Junior wells called "Come on in to this house". I just can't quantify the level of palpability, detail, and dynamic range that was also highlighted by an immense three dimensional soundstage. To say that the Sa10 has brought a great amount of musical enjoyment into my listening room would be an under statement. There is no doubt that the minimum break in time of 200 hours or greater will allow this machine to really shine. I do have the room treated with some RPG absorption panels and Asc Tube traps for optimized sound quality in my system. Because of the addition of the Marantz Sa10 to my system, I now think it is worth it to take the next step and add some additional tube traps to provide some additional sound enhancement for the room acoustics. I can then get the maximum benefit from the full range tower speakers that I run. I have not been on this site for a while. So it is time to provide an update regarding the unit.
Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 12, 2017 at 05:45:04
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thanks! for the update- rogl Good to see you again. After 500 hours, your SA-10 will be set. Keep posting your thoughts, impressions on this spinner. My interest is certainly peaked, wish I could find a dealer/retailer that has one in his showroom for demo?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 12, 2017 at 16:19:30
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Keep posting- rogl.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 22, 2017 at 08:17:40
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Anyone else come across a different review of the SA-10 ?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 22, 2017 at 09:08:56
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Fantja I think that the activity on the site has been light during the summer vacation period. I have a link that has 6 reviews of the Marantz Sa 10. I had to use a translator to read them. The link is listed as follows: https://www.testseek.com/home_electronics/hifi/cd/media-players/marantz-sa-10-p-9aa7ed91-0e2c-c5c5-3a43-5b3e18c9ff48.html I hope you find them useful. Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 22, 2017 at 16:12:57
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thank You- rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 05:25:01
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	rogl- after 500 hours your SA-10 will be set! Keep listening, keep posting about your experience.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 07:56:14

rogl
Audiophile

Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: April 23, 2017

Fantja I plan on ordering a usb thumb drive to load with high rez music files to try on the Sa 10. Alpha audio is using the Marantz Sa10 as their unit of choice on one of the ultra high end demo systems that they are diplaying in their store. I found that very interesting when I happen to check out their website recently. I think activity will pick up on Audio Asylum once the vacation period ends. Anyhow it is good to chime in and report some tidbits related to the Marantz Sa 10.
Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 13:56:09
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thank You- rogl where is Alpha Audio located?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 15:21:51
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Fantja their URL has nl as the suffix. So they are probably a Dutch business located in the Netherlands. On another note, I just bought and downloaded 2 high rez albums from the HD tracks website. I am waiting for Marantz to send me the usb driver file so I can stream from my laptop this evening. I will keep you posted on the audio quality. Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 15:48:54
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Many Thanks! rogl. It would be nice to find a U.S.A. dealer/retailer w/ the SA-10 in showroom for audition.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 15:49:51
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	rogl what gear, including cables/cords, is in your system? Happy Listening!

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 16:09:29
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Fantja the dealer thing is a though one. I hope you find a way to audition the unit. You can get the associated equipment and cables I am using in my earlier post. I replaced a Modwrighted Sony SCD1 with this Marantz unit. I was worried that this unit would let me down in comparison. But I have no worries now. Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 28, 2017 at 16:19:59
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Marantz has been a strong competitor for Sony, IMO. The competition pushed Sony into building better "ES" cd/sacd spinners.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 29, 2017 at 03:30:04
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Competition is a good thing because it delivers better quality products to the consumer. Marantz sent me the Sa10 USB driver for Windows 10 yesterday. I had to configure the driver as referenced in the manual and set it as the default driver. This allows you to stream High Rez music files from a laptop using the dac in the Sa10. This is a really nice feature IMO. Regards, Roger

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 29, 2017 at 05:06:42
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Cool features. Still, I want to read more about the player's CD and SACD playback.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 29, 2017 at 07:48:22
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	Fantja here is a review of the Sa 10 from Audio Visual of Hong Kong. It required the translator function. The URL is https://www.spill.hk/audiovisual/marantz-sa-10-review/ Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 29, 2017 at 10:49:04
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	TY- rogl.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on July 29, 2017 at 17:48:23
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Rogl- feel free to mention some of your CD and SACD selections that you are using to test and break-in your SA-10. Demo/Test discs are okay as well. Any genre is okay, especially, the well-recorded ones. Happy Listening!

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on August 13, 2017 at 04:30:05
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Frank I had better deliver one hell of a review on this spinner. We shall see...

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on August 13, 2017 at 05:59:47
Disbeliever Audiophile Posts: 1877 Joined: June 1, 2012	I doubt if Frank is as experienced with Marantz spinners as Hired Fox or myself, I have had many conversations with Ken Ishiwata over 30 years.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on August 15, 2017 at 05:16:05
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	I look forward to your review.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on August 15, 2017 at 22:11:36
rogl Audiophile Posts: 26 Location: Massachusetts Joined: April 23, 2017	I am also looking forward to Franks review. He doesn't have to have any knowledge about the Sa 10 or any other CD player IMHO. What is important is that he has a critical ear to evaluate the important criteria that defines the type of playback that leads to a top notch listening experience that is representative of a state of the art design. Regards, Rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on August 16, 2017 at 03:42:00
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Yes! Precisely- rogl.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on September 2, 2017 at 13:17:52
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Hopefully 1 month away from Frank I's review - rogl

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on October 3, 2017 at 14:03:30
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	October is finally here. Frank I- we are ready for the SA-10 review.

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on October 22, 2017 at 05:24:05
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Where are ya- Frank I ?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on November 6, 2017 at 13:41:43
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	hiredfox- how about an update on your Sa-10? I know that you have owned it for awhile now. What other gear is in your system?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on January 10, 2018 at 00:37:25
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Frank I - where are ya?

RE: marantz SA-10, posted on March 5, 2018 at 16:54:20
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	bump.

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Hi-Rez Highway

marantz SA-10

166.137.90.27