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The Ultimate SACD Machine

I'm considering getting an SACD player again. I have a number of SACDs but abandoned the format a couple years ago in favor of vinyl.

I am considering mainly the EMM Labs CDSAse or a Marantz SA11S2 or SA7.

Critical information:

- I'm concerned really only with jazz. 40s-60s jazz. (All the new titles on the format has me interested again.)

- As per above, my priorities are truth in timbre and tone and total lack of HF grain or glare. "Analog-like" may have become a cliche but it's what I'm after: though vinyl as a medium is shirley flawed (yes, I meant to call you Shirley), for me it has always given the best sound - meaning the most natural, realistic, and fatigue-free sound.

I expect that the EMM Labs machine has a gap over the Marantz in these qualities. It should, for the price. How large is the gap, for those who have heard both extensively?

Is there another machine I should consider? ($5K used would be absolute top budget and a bit of a stretch.)
paulfolbrecht

Showing 11 responses by paulfolbrecht

paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I'm the guy who started the thread, Tmsorosk, so keep your insults and your cluelessness to yourself, perhaps.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Thanks for the response. I neglected to mention that redbook performance is another factor. I would sort of like to be able to have a single digital source, getting rid of my (fabulous) Audio Note DAC. The EMM might make that possible but I doubt the SA7 would - my previous SACD player was an SA11S1 and I thought it stunk on RB. It was definitely much inferior to the AN DAC.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
4music, what type of music are you talking about, in what ways was the Ayre superior, and what were the systems like? Thanks.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
To me most high-end players stink on RB compared to AN DACs. SACD is obviously another story. But I've never heard the SA7 (owned a S11 1 as I said).

4musica, those are impressive systems.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I just read a bit about the 5400. I have always liked the Marantz SACD house sound but this player seems to really impress a lot of people. (Of course, in this game hearing "component x is the best thing ever" from one or two or even three people does not necessarily mean anything but when you read it from 5 or 6 or 10, there might be something there.)

It seems American Theater sells them for under $1200 brand new even. Wow.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Bill, I live about an hour from you - mail sent.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Tvad - that 6moons review says barely six words about the Luxman's SACD performance.

But who am I kidding? I am listening to my Thorens 124 II right now and I already know there is no digital source in the world that sounds this good - this natural and realistic.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Tmsorosk, I don't think posting an impression as it comes to me merits any sort of criticism, really.

And Tvad, I'm sorry, but your advice was clearly just barely on-topic.

I am going to try at least a couple of the new-generation SACD machines but am not holding my breath.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Tvad it's just that the linked review literally didn't talk about SACD performance at all. As I stated I am not looking for a player for RB. I only have time to read the posts that tell me exactly what I'm interested in. Also, you know I hate silver gear. I can't even keep silver gear for three months.

Tmsorosk, I don't read this forum much (until very recently) so I didn't realize that. I was just posted a thought lingering in my head as I listened.

I love you both.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I smell a battle brewing.

I'm going to don my Vinyl Propeller Beanie and matching bow tie. Be back soon.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
Tmsorosk, the beanie joke was my response to the 'nerd' comment.

Now I wish I had one though.

XRCDs are great.
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