break-in for Marantz SA-7S1

G - there is no SA-7S2. The SA-7S1 is the most current model right now.

i am not alone in my perceptions of the marantz reference sacd players. there is one service which promises to eliminate the nasties by replacing the caps.

i think a tube power supply, rectifier and buffer stage would be helpful for these players.

Apologies MRT, Tinear1 is correct. . . I misread your original post on SA11-S2, and there is no such thing as a Marantz SA7S2. There is only an SA7-S1 which we are discussing here, and an SA11-S2, which you are offering on sale at:. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1231459783
I have not heard the SA11-S2, but SA7-S1 may be a more sophisticated design. G.

Mrtennis, what specific Marantz players have you direct experience with. I find your comment that they have "nasties" completely baseless and wrong. I have an SA-11S2, and it has no nasties, is not overly forward and definitely not bright. It negotiates both definition and musicality without overdefining or adding any kind of sizzle to the sound. On top of this, I haven't but 40 hours on the machine.

hi kevziek:

i own a marantz 11s2. it is very focused, precise and hard sounding.
my experiences have been confirmed by other marantz owners, including one who is selling a marantz 11s1.

there is nothing smooth about the marantz 11s2. further i have heard the 7s1 several times. it bears a strong family resemblance to the 11s2.

the marantz players have no tubes and are unforgiving of poor recordings.

i suppose it may be a case of dissonant perceptions and opinions of the same component. this phenomenon is very common among audiophiles.

if you like an analytical presentation, you will like the marantz players.

by the way, i did not say there was a frequency imbalance, rather, a hardness and unrelaxed presentation. after listening to the player for about a half hour, i feel like turning it off. currently, i have mine up for sale on audiogon. would you like to buy another one ?