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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 1 response by rgs92

rgs92
974 posts
 
I think the EMM sound on the SACDs I own is just plain awesome. I am really sorry SACD never caught on (like,
unfortunately, MP3). (I have the CDSA and the DCC2/CDSD SE pair.)

I have some SACDs from Cindy Lauper and the Stones and Boston that produce such a joyful sound I wouldn't change a thing. I just sit in wonderment at how musical it is, with full impact and detail but with no abrasiveness or glare.

I am amazed how this technology could pull so much out of this music I have been listening to for 20,30,40 years.
It really provides amazing sound for a relatively small investment in a high-end system. When listening to these great SACDs, I don't think about turntables or upgrading; I just listen and love it.
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