I heard both the SA-7S1 and CDSA in my system while auditioning SACD players. The EMM had the SLIGHT edge in overall inner detail, but the Marantz had that magical ability to weave a lot of detail in with a natural warmth and smoothness that was utterly beguiling. The Meitner by comparison seemed a little dry and clinical. I ultimately went with the SA-7 after hearing a LOT of different players. All things being relative, it offers tremendous value, given its level of performance. Just be aware that it requires a TON of burn-inin my case, in the neighborhood of 400-500 hours.
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.)
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.)