Yeah, what’s the point of SACD for two channels? I guess there are a few non-hybrid discs out there, but this is a huge limitation at the price. Nevertheless, this does measure well and has some nice features.
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Marantz SACD 30n Measurements (SACD Player, DAC & Streamer)
- Thread starter VintageFlanker
- Start date
I agree. Creative Lighting == Goodness.Great review, thanks!
And whatever you do, DON'T change the psychedelic colours. Ignore the naysayers. I absolutely love it!
..and it brings back memories....
First, nice review!
I’ve eyed this unit a few times, as currently I’m running all discrete components—a Zen Stream network streamer, a Topping D90se DAC, and an Oppo UDP-203 SACD player that I’ve modded to a transport (in that I added an IIS hardware mod that bypasses Oppo’s internal DAC and passes the digital stream on to my Topping to decode).
And although an integrated option would be a bit tidier, the Marantz is equally limited to 2 channels, doesn’t allow you to rip your physical media, downsamples the SACD signal when attached to external DACs (per Sony’s DRM licensing restrictions), and isn’t Roon Ready like the ZS (which costs $399 and supports native DSD up to 256). It’s “Roon Tested”, which is ok, but if it doesn’t support Roon’s RAAT transport protocol that would be less than ideal. Perhaps someone owns one on here and can comment further on that.
I get what niche Marantz is targeting here, as combo streamer/DAC/SACD option. But the thing is that my setup is working great at a considerably lower price, and at least as my Topping DAC is concerned, with superior measurements. Even if I use my less inexpensive Sony SACD player and an HDMI audio extractor to pass on the digital stream to my Topping via coax, I’m not sure the SACD playback quality would be any less than what Marantz offers here—I can play back my SACDs at PCM 176.4 on my Topping this way and it sounds fantastic. Perhaps I should submit one of these extractors to @amirm to put my claims to the test?
I’ve eyed this unit a few times, as currently I’m running all discrete components—a Zen Stream network streamer, a Topping D90se DAC, and an Oppo UDP-203 SACD player that I’ve modded to a transport (in that I added an IIS hardware mod that bypasses Oppo’s internal DAC and passes the digital stream on to my Topping to decode).
And although an integrated option would be a bit tidier, the Marantz is equally limited to 2 channels, doesn’t allow you to rip your physical media, downsamples the SACD signal when attached to external DACs (per Sony’s DRM licensing restrictions), and isn’t Roon Ready like the ZS (which costs $399 and supports native DSD up to 256). It’s “Roon Tested”, which is ok, but if it doesn’t support Roon’s RAAT transport protocol that would be less than ideal. Perhaps someone owns one on here and can comment further on that.
I get what niche Marantz is targeting here, as combo streamer/DAC/SACD option. But the thing is that my setup is working great at a considerably lower price, and at least as my Topping DAC is concerned, with superior measurements. Even if I use my less inexpensive Sony SACD player and an HDMI audio extractor to pass on the digital stream to my Topping via coax, I’m not sure the SACD playback quality would be any less than what Marantz offers here—I can play back my SACDs at PCM 176.4 on my Topping this way and it sounds fantastic. Perhaps I should submit one of these extractors to @amirm to put my claims to the test?
Hi,
Well I thought that the Marantz Musical Mastering was the conversion to Quad DSD and low pass filtering to analog, which was introduced in the SA-10. I guess MMM means something else.
The SA-11S3 uses the BB chip as I noted in my first post.
Below link is from Marantz and the other is copied from Music Direct.
Asynchronous 24-Bit USB DAC, Burr-Brown 1792A DAC Chip for PCM and DSD Decoding, and 8x Oversampling Digital Filter
An instant legend, the 40-pound Marantz SA-11S3 Reference SACD/CD player builds upon the internationally acclaimed SA-11S2 with state-of-the-art improvements. Marantz adds an asynchronous USB DAC with 24-bit/192kHz decoding, Burr-Brown PCM 1792A DAC chip for PCM and DSD decoding, digital filter with 8x oversampling, upgraded transport mechanism, and an enhanced HDAM-SA2 analog output stage to what was already the gold-standard digital player. Did we mention the SA-11S3 backs up its talk with a five-year warranty? A nonpareil component with nonpareil sound, and backed by our own Money-Back Guarantee, SA-11S3 is the platinum-standard of SACD/CD players.Cheers, Steve
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Check out Amir's review of the Octave Records (PS Audio side project) Don Grusin release.
Octave Music Don Grusin High Resolution Music Analysis (Video)
morillon
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thank you
I admit, only in jitter-num, I don't really understand the face of your screenshot....
there is such a level of noise that we cannot grasp any details even if the values given are of course significant...
somewhere you detail your material methods etc?
thank you for your enlightenment
;-)
a modest capture of a modest wiim: fft 262k kaiser12, j-test 48-24bit , toslink :
not for the result because an acquisition card of almost 15 years ... but for readability ;-)
i just want learning
(https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-mini-streamer.31182/post-1159564)
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Itisawesome
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I see 5K RRP pricing in Australia. I’d prefer a network player without sacd…
I stand corrected.
SACD 30n is $5k at Clef HiFi, official Marantz price. And they offer a better price if you ask. The SA-12SE is $6k
SACD 30n is $5k at Clef HiFi, official Marantz price. And they offer a better price if you ask. The SA-12SE is $6k
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Historically DACs have outperformed ADCs, and DSD was an attempt to get ahead of the curve.
Made possible thru math!
God Bless Sony/Philips!!
I don't know why but I feel extra proud of my product photos using an entry-level Nikon DSLR + kit lens, cheap light tent, flimsy tripod, plain light stands and hand picked cheap LED bulbs. Some Photoshop editing and that's it.Philips Hue spots in the dark + Google Pixel Night Mode combo. 100% poor DIY photography.
High end gear is already expected to get excellent results, but for me it is specifically gratifying squeezing every drop of performance from low end gear.
(back to the topic)
I betcha they would show some 3D effect. Is this what audiophiles mean by "image depth?"P.S. If I wear the old red/green glasses, would the images show up in 3-D???
confucius_zero
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Darn impressed by Marantz. I'm curious to see their new amp measurements
Sure, but man that price! The streamer in the device is a bit underwhelming—I would expect it to at least be Roon Ready. And I wish they had added a hard drive to burn CDs. SACD players can be bought for $200-300 bucks these days, and obviously there are plenty of better performing DACs that cost a fraction of this. Doesn’t it seem like a hefty amount to ask given the limitations?Darn impressed by Marantz. I'm curious to see their new amp measurements
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I was thinking the same thing. Unfortunately it makes reading the back of the unit difficult (in the pictures). Otherwise, looks great! Thanks.You are on a roll.
P.S. If I wear the old red/green glasses, would the images show up in 3-D???
valerianf
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Excellent product for SACD addicted audiophiles.
Could the same R&D engineer team develop an AVR?
Could the same R&D engineer team develop an AVR?
OP
- Thread Starter
- #79
The device is only 18 months old. A company as big as this one is able to provide support for longer than that. As said, I had the Denon & Marantz European Trainer on the phone, prior to post this review, that confirmed me that Roon Ready update is still planned (as is Qobuz Connect, for that matter). Hope they will release it for real...
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