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Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Marantz SA-11S1 SACD Player by mcondo

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REVIEW: Marantz SA-11S1 SACD Player

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Model: SA-11S1
Category: SACD Player
Suggested Retail Price: $3300
Description: Reference CD / SACD Player
Manufacturer URL: Marantz
Manufacturer URL: Marantz

Review by mcondo ( A ) on October 08, 2006 at 06:42:24
IP Address: 71.57.45.108
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I’ve been meaning to provide some thoughts on my Marantz SA-11S1 for some time now, so here goes. There are numerous professional reviews on this player all over the web – I’m not going to try to debate their findings. I’d rather provide AA members with a comparison of the SA11 to my prior player, the SA 8260. Hopefully this will help those thinking about upgrading to the SA-11S1.

I purchased the player as a demo unit from Michael David Audio in Michigan. They had used the player in an audio show reported on by PFO. It had minimal hours on it, was priced right and had the benefit of Marantz’s 3 year warranty. Prior to the purchase I had auditioned a few other players in a similar price range, but had to try too hard to hear an improvement over my 8260. Despite the well documented reliability problems of the 8260, it was a fine player for the money and I enjoyed it for both RB and SACD for almost 3 years.

The SA-11s1 is much heavier than the 8260, so beware placement options. It is also beautiful, and made my utilitarian black YBA/Blue Circle electronics look downright boring. This unit belongs in a nice rack/stand for all to see. Due to WAF issues, mine is positioned within an armoire. I use the RCA outputs and power it with a YBA Diamond PC. The drawer is very quick and quiet, but it does block the display when open. I find this a minor annoyance when trying to figure out what filters I’m using. It defaults to SACD (2 channel only, as you know). The remote is far nicer than the 8260’s, but it is long and overdone IMO. It does have some amp functions if you have a Marantz amp. I prefer the simplicity and ergonomic design of my YBA remote. Filter options are all available on the remote, as is the ability to turn off the very attractive blue vertical backlighting.

Regarding filters, my bet is this player is best for the constant tweaker. Many, many combinations are possible. To date I have only made one RB filter decision – I prefer # 3 filter to #1, and dislike #2 – not sure why. Filter #3 seems to give the music and instruments more definition and has more punch. YMMV. Beware the filter you choose will apply to SACD also if you prefer #2 or #3. It’s easy to forget to reset the filter if you play SACD’s. I have not listened closely enough to determine which SACD filter I prefer.

Beware this player is rated at 2.5 v output unbalanced. If you are a volume control freak you need to audition in home as I initially found myself with very little volume adjustment. My Audio Refinement Multi-2 amp has input sensitivity adjustments so I just dialed the amp down a bit to regain some adjustment. RB is now usually between 8 and 10 o’clock, and SACD between 9 and 12. Without this adjustment 9 o’clock was way too loud for social listening.

Regarding its sonic signature versus the 8260, I found it to be a major upgrade, and one that did not require any serious A/B testing. Much better bass, resolution, detail and a thickness to the sound that seemed more real. Maybe a better way to describe it would be everything seemed more robust and had true depth. Voices and plucked instruments were especially nice. The SA-11S1 is far quieter than the 8260, allowing fine detail to come thru at low volume levels. Switching to SACD, I still can’t believe the debate about RB being as good. It’s not, and a quick comparison (RB vs. SACD) of Allison Krauss’s “Forget About It” told the tale – the SACD was quieter, deeper, and had a much more defined soundstage. I realize those with $10,000 + RB setups might debate SACD’s superiority, but at this price point SACD rules, IMO. Several “BIA” SACD cuts were simply stunning. I must admit, however, that the Junior Wells/Buddy Guy “Last Time Around” (Silvertune Records) live acoustic RBCD is probably the finest sound I have ever gotten out of my system to date. The SA-11S1 simply places you front and center in the audience at Legends. If you like acoustic blues, this is a reference disc.

Enough rambling. If you like the Marantz sound (whatever that is) and are thinking about upgrading, the SA-11S1 is a major upgrade over the 8260 and well worth the money if you can pick up one used or even better – a demo unit with a warranty.


Product Weakness: See Review
Product Strengths: See review. 3 Year warranty


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Audio Refinement Multi-2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): YBA 2 Delta, upgraded PS
Sources (CDP/Turntable): SA-11S1
Speakers: Proac Studio 125
Cables/Interconnects: YBA Diamond, Zu Wax
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Country, Blues, R&B, Folk, Rock - not much Jazz and no Classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 25 x 15 x 9.5
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Blue Circle Music Ring
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Marantz SA-11S1 SACD Player - mcondo 06:42:24 10/8/06 ( 3)