SA-10 spec sheet SA-KI Ruby spec sheet Curious - what do you think? Electrical engineers, how do the insides compare? How do the claimed specs compare? |
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I tried buying the SA-KI Ruby for my second system (single-ended) but in my country they are only sold as pair with PM-KI Ruby. My regular hi-fi shop suggested I should get another SA-10 since the actual retail price is a lot lower than the list price. The Ruby being limited edition, need to pay at list price or even higher. |
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The Ruby versions probably have some better parts and implementation than the standard versions, much like my Marantz PM-15S2b has over the PM-15S2 or S1. In my case, Ken Ishiwata took some of what he did with the Pearl series (also limited to 500 units each) and applied them to the PM-15S2b. Whether it sounds better, I can't say, but they are in demand. All the best, Nonoise |
It's been 14 days and somewhere between 100-150 hours and the SA-KI Ruby has really started singing. It's silky smooth sounding with super detail. I have to say my 15 year old Resolution Audio CD50 holds up really well in comparison - nearly as sweet and "analog" in the mids - just as detailed. But the Ruby has just started presenting a lot more 3-dimensionality between the instruments and it's starting to pull ahead. To be continued... |
Hi all - So I think to answer my original question, one large difference is that the sound on the Ruby is much less tweak-able. There is only the ability to choose between 2 digital filters - you cannot adjust the dither or the noise shaping like you can on the SA-10. Not sure what those do anyway, but it seems like a large difference. You are able to 'turn off' everything you're not using - i.e. screen, digital outs, headphones, etc. On usability - it's mostly good, not great. It's a little slow... to read a disc, to open the disc drive, to switch between inputs, to switch between tracks. The track scanning (fast forward/rewind) is terrible - it's so jumpy it's almost unusable. I guess this is due to all the processing going on? It would be better if the sound just turned off when you want to fast forward to a certain time. If you're on another digital input and press the eject button it literally takes 10 seconds for the drive to open. @elizabeth @jafant are these your experiences with the SA-10? On Sound - Velvety, smooth, detailed and super 3D. Still playing with my speakers to get the best positioning but the depth is apparent anywhere in the room. I'm especially amazed at the up-sampling tech when paired with streaming. Google Play, which is 256 - 320 bit rate, sounds amazing! And this is going via Airplay through an airport express and a $8 optical cable into the Ruby. The difference is HUGE. The low end depth and the detail in the mids is so awesome. Compared to the ES9010K2M Sabre DAC in my Yamaha Integrated it's more liquid with more low level and low volume detail. More sustain, easier to follow individual instruments and notes. I like it a lot. @jafant I'm listening through a Yamaha A-S801 Integrated and Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 speakers. Morrow Cables. |
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Hi guy's. .I just brought a sa ruby home to demo today..I did hear the sa 10 at the same audio dealer and one of the guy's who's opinion I trust told me they both sound very close in presentation. Sa10 is just slightly better than the ruby.I currently own a rega Saturn cd player that I really enjoy but I gotta say the ruby is a big step up from the rega in sound quality. .I also like the fact I can run my streamer into the ruby and take advantage of its dac..nice peace. |
I have the Ruby KI Pearl. I bought it second-hand and did not have to buy it as part of a set. I don't know how it sounds compared to the SA-10 or the Ruby. The only things I have to compare it to are a Rega Apollo-r (which the Pearl replaced), a Marantz CD6004, and my Oppo players, which include the 105D and the 203. It sounds much better than any of them and better than any of my turntables. |
I can’t speak to a lot of the questions posed, but I have had a Pearl since it was first introduced (serial no 0017!) almost 11 years ago. Wonderful machine: detailed and dimensional. It replaced an Arcam cd-36. I also have an Oppo 205. Neither of those machines, although they both sound good, come close. I just purchased a Ruby for another system. I should get it next week. I’ll report when appropriate. Everyone, stay safe in the pandemic. |
I have not heard the SA-10 but am very happy with my Ruby. Running 20" IC to the matching PM Ruby integrated, doubt I am giving up much not having the balanced output. In my mind the Ruby series is a great value. Love the smooth, detailed, 3D soundstage. This is a quality piece and a great value. My only quibble with any of the Marantz gear is the micro display. |
I've never heard the SA-10; just as well since it's beyond my budget. I can't help but think that a significant part of the higher expense compared to the SA KI Ruby is the balanced circuitry. Since the remainder of my system is rca, it's not a concern for me. But the Ruby...a few weeks back, my beloved Lector .5 tubed-output cd player started acting up. Considering it's age of 15+ years, I decided not to put any more money in its direction. Therefore, I started research for my *last* CD player. For obvious reasons, in person listening is not an option, so it was necessary for me to rely on past experience, recommendations from friends, and the all-knowing Google. Long story shorter, I bought the SA KI Ruby with a 30 day return privilege. It's not going back. Right out of the box, I was impressed. It really opened up at about 30 hours. Now that it has nearly 200 hours, it's a safe bet that it's settled in. And it's very good indeed. Smooth, detailed, 3D, etc. Go down the checklist, it ticks all the boxes. Most of all, it's a joy to hear. It's also nice that it affords the option to accommodate usb streaming, assuming I go that way in the future. Thanks to all who posted in this thread. You helped guide me to a winner. |
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