I bought a SA8005 used from The Music Room. I wasn’t that impressed considering how the reviewers gushed over it. I believe it was mostly the dac which I think was a Cirrus Logic chip (I could be very mistaken). I thought of buying an outboard dac, but I didn’t like the tiny buttons on the 8005 as they felt pretty cheap. I was very lucky that I unloaded it here for my asking price. It was my second Marantz player as I had a SA8001 many years before that and also found it to be quite lackluster.
Looking to upgrade DAC from SA8005
I'm currently using the SA8005 as a redbook player and DAC for the Aries Mini, being fed into a stock RLD-1 and a recent Ultra Platinum upgraded DNA-1.
I want to explore options of a DAC and preamp and looking to stay under the $1500 mark if poss.
My search has included is a PSA Stellar Gain Cell to also be used as a preamp.
Bryston BDP-2
Benchmark DAC-2 (also as preamp)
Yggdrasil (possible depending on price)
I do like the option to keep the HT bypass and remote function.
I feel the hard part is finding one that maintains clarity in the transients of the higher frequencies and not become analytical.
The 8005 does a good job of providing depth, focus, imaging and retaining a very life-like stage presentation but midrange clarity and the upper registry transients need a bit of refinement..seems slightly rolled off and may not be the fault of the 8005, could very well be the 21 YO stock preamp.
I would like to try a Directstream sometime but for now this is the pricepoint I'm at. Another reason is at the price of the DSD there are other options.
Thanks, all input and criticism welcomed
I want to explore options of a DAC and preamp and looking to stay under the $1500 mark if poss.
My search has included is a PSA Stellar Gain Cell to also be used as a preamp.
Bryston BDP-2
Benchmark DAC-2 (also as preamp)
Yggdrasil (possible depending on price)
I do like the option to keep the HT bypass and remote function.
I feel the hard part is finding one that maintains clarity in the transients of the higher frequencies and not become analytical.
The 8005 does a good job of providing depth, focus, imaging and retaining a very life-like stage presentation but midrange clarity and the upper registry transients need a bit of refinement..seems slightly rolled off and may not be the fault of the 8005, could very well be the 21 YO stock preamp.
I would like to try a Directstream sometime but for now this is the pricepoint I'm at. Another reason is at the price of the DSD there are other options.
Thanks, all input and criticism welcomed
8 responses Add your response
