Hello everyone!
On this forum I came across recently, so my review will not be really up to date, but I hope that for someone will still be useful and help him to answer the question which is better SACD player, SA1 or SA7.
Since I was more than satisfied with Marantz SA1, at the moment when appeared SA7 my idea was to buy it and sell old SA1. I waited with the sale so that I had at home both models, but I have both now because I gave up from the sale. Now I will try to describe my impressions regarding the aforementioned players.
Production
Both models are fantastically carved, but SA1 still something better, this is particularly evident when one beside the other, far from being the SA7 bad, but it can be seen that done with a smaller budget than SA1. From inside SA 1 looks like a million $ watch. When he came out SA1 cost is approximately 14,000 DM, which is recalculated 7000 E today, but then it is for 15,000 DM could buy a new VW Golf, with 7000 E today it is impossible. And it says something about the quality, and besides SA1 is the only model in the history of Marantz where the preparation is not financially set limit. Model SA7 is bigger and heavier, the colors are quite similar. Such quality final preparation has not many players in the market. This is comparable only with the Esoteric and DCS models of the new generation.
Working comfort
Both players are quiet and silent in operation, SA7 faster loaded TOC, faster respond to commands, but nothing dramatic. SA7 is comfortable, drawer opens and via remote, has CD text, the setting options filters, larger and clearer display. Both players are dual-channel only, SA7 has the possibility of outside clock. All of this is understandable, it is still a relatively new device.
The quality playback SACD and CD discs
The system and the place that the players is as follows:
X350 Pass, Pass X2, Magneplanar 3.7, B & W ASW3000 Sub (highly modified) adequate wiring, a height of 3m in length and 7m and width 4.5m room
CDs, SACD used for comparison
Reiner Chicago Orchestra - Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture - JVC XRCD absolutely fantastic - must have
Anders Ohrwall - Handel - Messiah - FIM XRCD ABSOLUTELY fantastic - must have
Stockholm Cathedral Choir - Now the Green Blade Riseth - Proprius XRCD
High End Audiophile Test Demo SACD - STS Digital - First Edition - Single Layer SACD
Sandra Bratland - Rosa Fra Bethlehem - Kirkelig Kulthurverksted - KKV - FXCD 121
Both players sounds similar, and it is a comparison possible only at the same time you have both players to test, so are similar. What is the same in both is that they play as good as the good shots that you put into them. When you play the best that the market can find (any of the above CD) only then U can see what they can, and what they sold Us under the "quality" recordings
Now, given the SA1 was so ahead of its time or is it all together a climax of the SACD player can do, nobody knows, generally it is difficult to market find something better, more expensive that it is not a problem. No one is more nor surprising when one player costs 30, 50 or even more thousands of euros ... Such I had nowhere to house them but I had the opportunity to listen. SA1 has a different bass, not deep but perhaps tougher and this is the biggest difference, width of the stereo image is the same as the depth. A focus was hard for me to speak, Magneplanars have expressed focus on the depth of the stage and emotions, quantity and fineness of detail and ease with which you pass the time when listening is amazing. If someone tells you that the SA1 better than SA7 or vice versa, based on listening or not in the same place and at the same time, do not trust him. Both players are top devices, the top of what is offered or are offered in the area. Do not be too long in this already long review, if you are interested in something else you should ask ...
