Marantz SACD player suggestion

Nonoise, you say "No Comparison", but it would be really helpful if you would offer a brief comparison between the two so we can understand why you preferred one over the other so definitively. Thank you.

Well, The Technics has a cleaner, introspective presentation to the music whereas the Marantz had that warmth they’re know for at the cost of that clean and open sound that I like.

Providing a cleaner presentation goes hand in hand with layering, soundstage width and depth, air, ambience, that elusive see-through quality, room (that it’s recorded in) contribution also known as venue, etc.

The Technics also beats the Marantz in dynamics, micro and macro, scale, insight, subtlety, and realism. Some might not appreciate these qualities as much as me so YMMV. Having lived with both, I can see why some would prefer the Marantz, if they want everything to sound good, but I feel it would be at the expense of the aforementioned qualities I mentioned.

Granted, some of the differences alone were not that major but taken as a whole, the sum is greater than the parts.

All the best,
Nonoise

That is extremely helpful, nonoise. Thanks so much. My tastes tend to agree with yours, preferring a more open, cleaner sound, soundstage definition and all the other attributes you describe. I was hoping at this price range the Marantz would be elevated above the typical thicker, warmer Marantz house sound. But from what you describe, even for $4K it still sounds like a Marantz (not that that is bad, per se.) So I need to look more closely at the Technics. Thanks again.

drowe

Seek out a Marantz SA-11S2 or SA-11S3 player, if you enjoy the house sound.

These are rock solid Spinners. And meets your need for Balanced outputs.

Happy Listening!