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Rega Saturn. Is it really a giant killer?

Everything I read on the Rega Apollo says it kills anything in the $1,000 price range and above. The few criticisms say it could be better in the bass and high end.

I also read that the Saturn is a giant killer and a considerable step above the Apollo. More delicate, refined, detailed, great spatially, with very good bass.

Same modest Sanyo transport, same chassis. Can different parts and power supply make this much difference? It still is a relatively light piece (no 40 pound heavyweight) with no special vibrational features or construction that I know of. I've seen a picture of the inside, and it is pretty simple with one decent size transformer.

Then I read someone saying it beat out their Marantz SA11, which is an incredibly built piece with a high end, metal transport, supposedly using some audiophile caps, etc.

How much of this is truth and how much is hype?
saxo
saxo OP
98 posts
 
Kehut, you said you didn't warm up to the Apollo. Could you describe what you heard?

The review you were referring to is Tellig's recent review in Stereophile on both players. He was inconsistent in that review, as first he said there wasn't much difference, but then later said there was a considerable improvement. Oh, well, can you trust reviewers anyway? Especially when they make decisions based on headphone listening?

Stereotimes.com has a review. Search their archives to read it. It is quite complimentary.

Check out another bangup review on audioasylum.com.
www.audioasylum.com/audio/digital/messages/12/129458.html

The reviewer is a vinyl guy and he thinks it is the first digital player that brings this much musicality to digital.

New pieces often get hype that later turns out to be overstated. Wonder whether that is the case here or not.
mcpody
73 posts
 
I agree with Foster-your ears and the synergy of your system is what matters most. However, I have heard both the Saturn and Apollo hooked up to the same amp/preamp and speakers. Given that equipment, the Saturn was law of diminishing returns. So if it were my money, I would take the advice above and go with the Apollo.
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Saxo,

Yeah, that was the review..I went looking for that stereophile last night, but remembered I threw them all in the trash :-) so much for mags and reviews/reviewers opinions eh!

As for the Apollo...I was actually very impressed with it upon initial set up in my system..but, over some time..it seemed forced and rather "digital" to me. The highs in particular were not smooth, and seemed a bit detached. I prefered the NAD 542 that replaced it. Even though the NAD was a bit less dynamic..it seemed better balanced and had more resolution in my set up.Again, this is just my opinion of what I heard in my system...to this day..I actually prefer an older 18bit CAL Icon MkII to them all... but, I have tin ears..so what do I know!///best, ken
saxo OP
98 posts
 
Thanks, Kehut. Was the Apollo burned in enough? I know you said, "over some time", but if that was say, 50 hours, maybe it wasn't enough.

I also went to Audioreview.com and read the reviews there by owners. Some were glowing, others were not. I'm glad I went there though, because more than one person said the plastic faceplate and the overall finish was kind of cheap looking. And that the hinged lid didn't inspire confidence either. Curious what others think of these things.
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Saxo,

I had the Apollo for about 6 mos. Used pretty often. Im sure it had well over several hundred hours on it by the time I'd had enough of it. My first one had some of the well documented early "glitches" of the programming computer, the dealer took that one back, and the one I had for ~6 mos was without issue.Just not to my liking. Im just not a big fan of Rega stuff.
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