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Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Marantz SA 17 SACD Player by Axiom13

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REVIEW: Marantz SA 17 SACD Player

165.21.154.12


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Model: SA 17
Category: SACD Player
Suggested Retail Price: $1300
Description: SACD player
Manufacturer URL: Marantz
Manufacturer URL: Marantz

Review by Axiom13 ( A ) on November 18, 2003 at 05:40:34
IP Address: 165.21.154.12
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for the SA 17


I have owned the SA17 for some time now, originally buying it based on some good feedback from various fellow audiophiles, magazines and also from word of mouth here on AA. I had been looking for a good SACD player to see what the fuss about SACD was all about, and was about to buy the 8260 when I got the opportunity to compare it with the SA17.

First off, I found the SA17 to be quite partial to a good power cord and clean power. I initially found the SA17 to lag behind my brother's SA14 in terms of midbass definition, but the substitution of a good power cable like the AZ Tsunami II really fleshed out the bass, such that the two became quite indistinguishable. On the other hand, the SA14 did not quite see as significant an improvement with a similar switch. Both my friends and I have found that SACD playback on the SA17, once broken in (and this took a looong time!), to be almost as good as the Esoteric, which my cousin has in his system. The Esoteric had deeper bass, but did not quite have the harmonic clarity of the Marantz. Also, the Esoteric seemed to be more forward or perhaps it is just more revealing in the treble, but I found it to be less musical in the long run. The Esoteric also was more resolving, but not by much.

The surprise I got was with the CD playback. I was using a MF A3.2 CD and really love it, but was struck by how much clearer and solid the Marantz sounded. Similarly, my pal with the Arcam FMJ CD23T and another with a Simaudio Nova are now thinking of trading theirs in for the SA14, though IMHO the Nova sounds even more dimensional than the Marantz, and I would buy it if I had the moola. I suppose the greatest criticism of the Marantz is that the soundstage depth is slightly shorter than the best I have heard, such as the Wadia 861, but that would be nit-picking at this price range.

Now, I wonder if any mods might work?


Product Weakness: Slightly shortened soundstage depth, sensitive to power cabling
Product Strengths: Above average SACD playback (I have not heard the best yet!), awesome CD playback, regardless of price point


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: McCormack DNA 125, Blue Circle BC22
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Adcom GFP 750, Rogue Audio Magnum 99
Sources (CDP/Turntable): MF A3.2
Speakers: Totem Model 1 Signatures, ML Ascent
Cables/Interconnects: Synergistic Research, Wireworld, AZ
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All
Time Period/Length of Audition: 6 months
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Marantz SA 17 SACD Player - Axiom13 05:40:34 11/18/03 ( 5)