Rega Saturn and Apollo-How good are they??


Rebuilding my entire system and need opinions on cd players. The Regas are supposed to be superb!! Will they beat all the Arcam players, including the old CD23?? How about the Naim players?? I am not completely sold on universal players either. I suppose the Arcam, Rotel and others do a reasonably good job, but assuming dedicated music players are still superior. Then there's SA and DVD-audio, not sure if there is enough software out there that I'd like to warrant owning one or both high rez formats. I would think the finest redbook playback can equal or beat em.

I'm a long time analogue lover, but have slowly gravitated more to digital listening, it's come a long way in the last 20 years, and I'm convinced that the quality of the mastering and transfer to the disc makes or breaks digital playback. My finest discs are very close or as good as anything I've heard in analogue, and I owned a few nice tables in my life.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks to all!!!
128x128pluto

Showing 1 response by rtilden

Harneloot:

During the first 100 hours of operating my Saturn, I noticed an objectionable reproduction of raspy trumpets and trombones on one or two recordings. That condition has since subsided. My experience with the fully broken-in Saturn reveals a very enjoyable, sweet midrange, with no objection whatever. Only when I compare it to my vinyl rig do I find slight criticisms, mostly in the texture of instruments.

I suggest patience, not haste, in deciding that the Saturn is the culprit. Perhaps it needs more break-in time, or it is not interacting up to its potential in your system. Hopefully, other Saturn owners will chime in to give you a broader perspective. Good luck.