If it's anything like my Marantz SA-15S2b SACD player, it's not at all warm, dark and flat. Mine has two filter settings that definitely change the sound characteristics and the 30N may have more settings to fiddle with.
A lot of that warmth that people hear with Marantz is misunderstood, as I've found out. Using Isoacoustic Orea footers cancelled a lot of vibrations, focusing the soundstage and eliminating smearing, which many attribute to warmth. It also allowed the music to emanate in all directions instead of laterally.
Switching the filter settings that I mentioned changed things to give me a more detailed, airy and expansive presentation. The Marantz sound does err on the warm side of neutral, but not as much as some people think.
All the best,
Nonoise |
The Model 30 shares a lot of its design with the Marantz Ruby player. Just compare photos of the innards of the two models. However, given the lower price and added features, Marantz much have cut corners somewhere in the newer model. How this affects the sound, I don't know. |
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To clarify and correct the record, the Marantz 30N is $2499, not $3999, (USD) vs the Technics at $2999. So yes you get XLR outputs with the Technics and YOU PAY MORE for it. I agree it's unfortunate the Marantz doesn't have XLR jacks, but don't falsify its pricing. It was designed for a specific price point, as was the Technics. And the higher cost will inevitably give you more features.
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drowe
YouTube has a few videos on this Marantz 30N player. Check it out.
Happy Listening! |
Marantz dealer here*
As mentioned above, the SACD30 is close to the Ruby in sound. I don't find these players dark or flat at all. |
goldprintaudio
Taylor- is the SACD30 made in Japan?
Happy Listening! |
drowe,
I stand corrected, but your reply makes me think you’re overreacting, very defensive
Oh, and a true dif balanced design will run circles around standard kit with rcas. For anyone aspiring to hi-end, true balanced components should be the starting point
hth
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No, tweak1, I’m not overreacting or being being defensive. I just don’t like misinformation being flung about. Please, go ahead and make your point, but do it using facts not falsehoods. |
@jafant Yes!....These are built in Japan. |
drowe
"I just don’t like misinformation being flung about."
sure sounds like you are overreacting to me, as though I INTENTIONALLY did so |
goldprintaudio
Thank You for the follow up.
Happy Listening! |
The old balanced vs unbalanced argument. “That old chestnut?”
It depends on the circuit design, power supply, and design of the corresponding amp. In theory balanced should sound better, all being equal, but in reality all is not equal.
I like to see the option to run XLR balanced cables and I’ve looked at the Marantz hoping it came with balanced outputs, but it’s mostly due to gear compatibility as I have a balanced headphone amp that really shines with balanced sources. However, other amps don’t and I wouldn’t rule out the Marantz until I heard it. I really only pay attention if the source gear has a true balanced design, and proper power supplies.
Now...the Technics mentioned above does not support Roon, that is a killer for me. The Marantz is Roon tested which is fancy speak for “it will play via Apple Airplay” which may mean lower resolution. I won’t ever buy another piece of gear that doesn’t support Roon (looking at you, Sony HAPZ1ES), so hopefully Marsntz will step up to Roon Ready vs Roon tested.
I have a Technics DVDA10 DVD-A player from a decade or more. It is pretty but only average quality. I’ve listened to Technics DACs of recent, and I would not choose them over high end Marantz.
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The most ignorant audiophile are the ones always blabbing about balanced being the only way to have a good system.
A true balanced system will cost double the money but very unlikely give better sound, it is all about implementing the best design and parts.
Of course (real) balanced equipment has it place, but very seldom do we need it in home Hi-Fi.
There is doubt that there is a lot of good sounding balanced equipment on the market, but so is there single ended equipment sounding just as good and made much cheaper as no need for doubling of parts.
Some designers are of the opinion that doing everything double increases the chances to worsen the sound quality instead of making it better. |
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the difference between ignorant and stupid is not being willing to become educated, or unable to
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Thank you for the link,
gryphongryph. That was most informative and actually makes a lot of sense. It is especially enlightening to learn how some manufacturers actually "fudge" it by offering an XLR jack but not the balanced circuitry to support it.
(Rotel comes to mind; not to pick on them, they are not alone. I often wondered how they could offer XLR connections on inexpensive products.)
Thus it is merely a convenience with no sonic benefit, and actually may be detrimental overall. Stereophile is good at pointing this out in their reviews when they see it implemented. |
Hello nonoise
What Orea are you using with your Marantz? I’m using some ISO-Pucks under a Maple chopping board with the player on top. I’m wondering if I should try the fancier Orea.
thanks
Paul
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@pgoodfield
I'm using the Blue Oreas under my SA-15S2b SACD player. I tried going with the smaller one but got better results with the Blue. From what I've read, the regular ISO-Pucks are just as good without the bling so if you hear a definite improvement with what you have, I'd stick with it knowing you saved some money.
All the best,
Nonoise
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