Comments pls.: TEAC vs Marantz CD/SACD players

Ghosthouse,

I had a TEAC PD-H600 CDP designed with input from Esoteric and it's a damn fine player, for the price. It's not an SACD player so what I'm going to say next is not a fair comparison but the Marantz SA-15S2b SACD player that I got kinda smokes the TEAC.

The Marantz is overbuilt and looks it from the inside. The TEAC SACD players don't look as robustly built once you have a look inside. That may mean nothing but it doesn't instill confidence for me after comparing it to the Marantz.

Having said that, I think you'd find the SA-15S2b to be more the equal, in price, to the top of the line TEAC SACD player. You can always try to get a demo from Music Direct (like I did) for a good discount and still have the 30 day in home trial.

All the best,
Nonoise

Hey Nonoise - glad to hear from you. Was sort of hoping you would jump in. I followed your post on your new Marantz. Glad you are enjoying it. Curious with respect to CD playback if you can make any general comments comparing the sound of the TEAC to the sound of the Marantz. I know it's not 100% relevant to the current situation. I hear about a "house sound" for Marantz...not entirely sure what that means. Personally, if trade-offs have to be made, in my system I'd be willing to sacrifice a little detail, resolution and high end extension in favor of warmth and lower mid-range heft, etc., etc. Thanks for input on the Marantz build quality. It's definitely photogenic (wish they still offered them in that champagne finish). The Marantz warranty is also noteworthy. Ciao.

Ghosthouse, Yes, the champagne finish is wonderful to behold but I've gotten used to the business like look of the black finish.

As to your question on how it handles CDs, all I can say it does a magnificent job of rendering my CD collection. CDs that I thought were no longer listenable through the TEAC are now back in rotation. Even the really bad ones sound better. My exposure to SACDs is limited but from what I've experienced, well recorded CDs are pretty much the equal of SACDs. Really a close call.

The Marantz brings with it a healthy dose of weight and gravitas. It also unravels the music in a way that the TEAC couldn't. Don't take this as a knock on the TEAC since the Marantz is more than double (almost triple) the cost of the TEAC.

As for that Marantz house sound, I can't really say since this is my first foray into Marantz land. From what I've read on earlier units and from what others have said, I see/hear no resemblance. No warmth, euphonic shadings, frequency limitations or a tube like sound. It pretty much comes across as neutral and really clean, but that could be the synergy it has with the matching integrated and my system in general. It's capable of great dynamics, both micro and macro, reveals just about everything, and does so in an even handed and easy going manner. There's simply no strain that I can detect, which allows the performers to seem naturally relaxed, if that makes any sense.

Hope this helps,
Nonoise

I would appreciate any comments on the marantz sa11s3 too. I have the 11sa1 and really like it, but have been thinking for awhile of upgrading to the 3. Any Marantz comments would be appreciated.

Ghosthouse & Rudge, I have had a SA11s3 since January. I have never heard a TEAC unit, nor an Esoteric, or a Oppo CDP so I can not give you a direct comparison. What I can say though, is that compared to my other SS unit, a Wadia 302, the Marantz has a richer tone and has better dynamic's. It is hard to fault but it does sound better after a warm up period. The input for another source is fine. It will, for example, reveal the quality of the source or type of transport you are using. Re transports so far I like the onboard transport better.

If I could only use one CDP, of those that I have heard I would easily select this one. Fortunately I do not have such a restriction, and find the relaxed nature of my Raysonic 128, and the tonal balance and clarity of my Wadia 302 can be useful depending on my mood or the CD I'm going to listen to.

Hope that helps a bit. Feel free to ask questions if you think I can help.