break-in for Marantz SA-7S1

Heard a marantz SA7S1 at RMAF.. . from the time it had 0 hours and was just pulled from the box, to when it had about 100 hours on it. Remarkably good sound for a brand new unit and kept improving all the way. . . I would expect that complete break in would take about 1,000 hours. Be patient and do not succumb to Premature Upgraditis Furiosa. G.

Hi Jake18, have you thought of trying the Alpha variant of your Shunyata cord on your SA71S? VX cords contain a filtering compound that tends to blend away low level detail. . . it's a little like caramelizing the music. . . The Marantz does not have any digital screetchies that need outside 'taming'. IMO.

"it exhibits a level of clarity that is not heard when in the presence of live unamplified music. these players are ruthless in their revelation of flaws in a recording. . ."

I agree with you this time MRT, that's one of the very reasons why I enjoy SA7S1, my own X-01 LE, MPS-5, and a few other players. . . . but it is not so much that they exhibit a level of clarity greater than live unamplified music. . . it is that to hear the same level of detail you would need to place yourself in socially unacceptable proximity to the performer or the instrument. . . ah, marvels of technology! G

"A slightly out-of-focus presentation sounds more like the "real thing, as compared to most stereo systems."

Once again I agree with you MRT, that's why I suggest that our hobby is about the creation of a desirable 'hyperreality', not so much a replication of physical reality.

G.

Not surprised at all Tinear1. . . let us know how things are when you reach the 500 hrs mark. . . then at the 1000 hrs mark. Happy listening! G.

Thank you Tinear1, excellent info. .. and congrats! I can only wonder if break in is now complete or if SA7S1 will still change. Let us know at about 750 hrs, then at 1,000 hrs. Guido

MRT, sorry to hear about your S2 woes. Have you thought about starting a dedicated SA7S2 thread? . . . this one was created to discuss aspects of the SA7S1 models instead. G.

Apologies MRT, Tinear1 is correct. . . I misread your original post on SA11-S2, and there is no such thing as a Marantz SA7S2. There is only an SA7-S1 which we are discussing here, and an SA11-S2, which you are offering on sale at:. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1231459783
I have not heard the SA11-S2, but SA7-S1 may be a more sophisticated design. G.

It's interesting how one audiophile's 'analitical' player is often an other audiophile's 'musical' one. Conversely, one audiophile's 'musical' player, may be judged as overly 'warm' by someone else. 'Dissonant perception' or simply 'differing taste?' G.

Phaser, the Marantz SA7S1 may represent exceptional value for the money, yet it does not pretend to be the ultimate digital front end. . . I have had the opportunity of A/Bing Marantz SA7-S1 with Playback Designs MPS-5, and the latter with TEAC P-03/D-03/G-03 combo. . . all magnificent players in their own right. Yet, as we moved up in the $$$ progression, so did I discover significantly increasing musicality, authority, refinement. Does even TEAC tristack constitute the ultimate digital front end? I doubt it, as even if it had the better G0Rb Rubidium clock, things are in so many ways matters of personal preference. Would the tristack equal your analog rig? Truly no idea. G.