Marantz SA14 SACD/CD player
Written: Nov 05 '02
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
|
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Exceptional built & feel; superb on SACD or CD
Cons: High price; slow drawer/disc access; minimum 50hr break-in
The Bottom Line: Two-channel audio nirvana!
|
|
|
| johnjohnjohn's Full Review: Marantz SA-1 |
I'll cut right to the chase - this is the best digital disc player I've ever owned. I've not listened to every new model, but I've owned some good ones over the years. Ranked in order of preference: Sony SCD-777ES, Rotel 990, Marantz DV12S1, Marantz DV8300 (currently used for video), Marantz DR17 (wife's favorite), Arcam CD92, Rotel 971, Pioneer DV47A, CAL Icon MkII & Rotel 855. As good as the new DV8300 is on SACD and DVD-A, the SA14 has it beat hands down(not surprising given the price difference). The SA14 is the first player I've owned that comes close to the performance of my Linn LP12 on redbook. I'm not sure but it may even nudge the Linn by a nose hair on SACD. Everything sounds credible and convincing thru this player, whether rock or classical. The sound on SACD is super lush, detailed, dynamic & dimensional, especially on classical music where redbook suffers. Also impressive is this player's low end prowess. Along with the Marantz DR17 it reproduces the best electric bass sound of any player I've heard in my system (check out Suzanne Vega's Nine Objects CD on this player!). Anyone who's into quality 2-channel will love this machine. Even the drawer sounds great - its whooshing sound reminds me of a jet or exotic sports car!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2200
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
johnjohnjohn
|
|
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 