Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Marantz SA-14 CD Player/Recorder by johnjohnjohn

Model:	SA-14
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	unknown
Description:	Single disc stereo-only SACD/CD player
Manufacturer URL:	Marantz
Manufacturer URL:	Marantz

Review by johnjohnjohn ( A ) on November 07, 2002 at 17:05:26
IP Address: 131.243.167.175

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There isn't much to add to Stephen's thorough and superbly written review except that I find the burn-in period a bit lengthy. As it turned out it took a full 50+ hours for the machine to show its meddle. No instant gratification here! Prior to the SA14 I had been happily using Marantz' DR17 HDCD Player/Recorder for almost 2 years. I initially bought this machine to archive LPs but was so impressed with its playback I retained it for primary listening. Before that I used a Rotel 971.

Going back to the SA14 - compared to my DR17 the differences were not great out of the box though lots of evidence pointed to the SA14 being a superior machine - more air, detail, presence, dynamics, wider & deeper stage, etc. But I was also bothered by a slight upper midrange glare that didn't go away fast enough, though it eventually did after about 50 hours. Now, with over 100 hours logged the sound of the SA14 is transformed and phenomenal to say the least - lush, musically involving, grain-free, dynamic, sweet, highly detailed without sounding analytical, and has a neutral perspective. The bass is solid, tuneful and powerful. Both SACD and redbook sound great, with the former displaying a bit more finesse and ambiance. When I go back now to the DR17 the sound is murkier and less dimensional. I also spent time comparing SACDs to LPs played on my Linn Sondek. Not surprisingly SACD won out in direct A/B comparisons. The sound is sharper and more dynamic and, of course, less noisy. But when I listen longterm I still prefer LPs.

By the way I totally agree with Stephen that SACD is overkill for other than acoustic classical or jazz music. That is why I predict SACD will remain a high end format because the average consumer playing top 40 on their midfi gear will not hear the difference. On the other hand, DVD-A may succeed with the masses simply because it is compatible with the DVD-V format (I thank my girlfriend for pointing that out to me), not because they can appreciate the difference in quality, expecially if mass merchandisers carry more DVD-A titles and the price of software comes down. I personally prefer SACD to DVD-A - it appears the more purist approach. But in order for SACD to succeed the format must have dealer support. Sadly, right now I think there's more dealer support for DVD-A than SACD. I had to buy my SA14 online because the local highend salon doesn't carry the machine even for demo. That fact alone doesn't bode well for the future of SACD. Blame Sony and Philips for not incentivizing their dealership network!

Product Weakness: Long break-in; slow TOC access
Product Strengths: Listening ease; definition; bass extension

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Classe CAP151
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Linn LP12 Valhalla
Speakers:	Thiel CS 22/Maggie 1.4
Cables/Interconnects:	Tribute OFC
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	25 x 13 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Neutral
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	Long break-in; slow TOC access
Product Strengths:	Listening ease; definition; bass extension