My SA-7S1 also sounded good from the beginning and has just gotten better over time. I disagree with the comment that timbre or focus is a problem. As another lister suggested, power cord and interconnects are very important. I'm using a Shunyata Taipan VX Helix power cord and Stereovox Reference interconnects. I have two friends who love their 7S1 in systems very different from mine. A recent critical listener said this was the first player he had heard that was free of the digital qualities he found so bothersome in other players. Break-in has improved soundstaging and resulted in a more open quality. In my player detail and dynamics are great while being very musically involving at the same time. FWIW, I still listen to my analogue system much of the time. I enjoy both.
break-in for Marantz SA-7S1
I just bought a new Marantz SA-7S1. It has 60 hours of break-in on it at this point. So far it's not bad, but it's not all that captivating either. I've heard it takes awhile to break in. I'd like to hear from other owners how long theirs took to break in, and more importantly what the difference was once is was broken in. Thanks!