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SACD with LFD/ Harbeth

I have been accumulating numerous SACD classical cds the last few years but still have no SACD player. I use a Rega Saturn with an LFD integrated amp and Harbeth M30.1 speakers with all LFD cabling. On some cds the midbass with the Saturn is too accentuated and the top end a bit rolled off. I have been thinking of the Marantz SA-14S1 player.
Any thoughts on this possible combination or another SACD option? $2500 new is my top spending amount, preferably $1500 if a used player in good condition comes available.
valinar
9 responses Add your response
tlinkie
107 posts
 


I have always liked the cd layer of SACD's better than the SACD layer.


What's the purpose of the SACD layer then?
chayro
2,984 posts
 
How do you know it is the Saturn that is causing the sonic issues you claim to be having? Have you tried another CD player?   That's what I was saying.  It's an unfortunate thing that, IMO, based on owning a Sony 5400, 9000 and an Esoteric X-5, the Redbook is not up to the level of similarly priced dedicated CD players.  Maybe if you're getting up to the higher-end players in the $10k+ range, the CD playback is better, but it's been lacking in all the ones I've tried.  Maybe you should just look for a used Sony 9000, which has excellent SACD playback and use it only for that.  The 5400 has better CD playback than the 9000, but it's not nearly as nicely made and the CD playback is not all that great either - just better than the 9000.  Good luck. 
valinar OP
471 posts
 
Chayro,
Thanks for your response. Perhaps my question was a bit unclear. I am not looking for a SACD player to fix anything. I am looking for a player that has CD and hopefully SACD playback that has sonic characteristics unlike the Saturn. SACD playback would be a bonus. The Saturn is a very fine player, just not the best for my system, to my ears. I have worked with speaker placement, toe in, and stand set up.
chayro
2,984 posts
 
I would work with speaker placement before I did anything. Maybe get them a bit further from the wall or change the stands or the way they are coupled to the stands. A harder footer could clean up the midbass and a bit more toe-in could result in more treble energy reaching your ears. I don't think an SACD player will fix what your are describing.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 

Right out of the box the Oppo 105 is the player to have modded, the Oppo 95 does not have the direct audio path circuitry designed for high end 2 channel sound, using the ESS sabre dacs in dual configuration going to either specific XLR or RCA outputs. The 105 is the only OPPO for high end audio consideration. So to clarify, the Oppo 105 costs $1200 new and sounds way better right out of the box  than any of the suggestions given hear so far. You can’t buy a better sounding player used or new for $2500. Then when you really want to raise its performance up several levels more, you can have it modded  by Modwright (around $2000). The 105 uses the same dac’s as other way more expensive units do. It is the best deal in universal players for yesterday, today and tomorrow. 


Regards,


Matt M

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
Esoteric DV-50s, around $1200 used.
the_rang
41 posts
 
I have not heard the SA14S1 but did have its little brother SA8005 in my home for a demo recently.
If you are worried about midbass and a slightly rolled off top end then I'm not sure Marantz (assuming the 14S1 and 8005 have the same house sound) is the right answer.
It was those very qualities that prevented me from buying the Marantz. I'm running KEF104.2 (tweeters restored) with a Modwright integrated.

Many others would disagree so I recommend trying a Marantz (or any other player for that matter) in your system first to ensure a satisfactory match.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
A used Oppo 95 by Modwright would be awesome. The SACD layer and decoding can be quite different than the cd layer on these discs. You really need to compare the cd layer to the sacd layer-it could be enlightening (or disappointing). Maybe even get some HD recordings to compare to?
arh
366 posts
 
See if you can find a Sony 5400ES
In general I have always liked the cd layer of SACD's better than the SACD layer. Just my opinion
Alan
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