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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
armendds
4 posts
 
I agree with Bmontani. Saturn is a significant step up from apollo. I had Apollo and upgraded to Saturn. Saturn is less bright and has more detail in the bass.
saxo OP
98 posts
 
There seems to be some consensus that the Saturn has a more natural treble and better bass. But then people are divided as to how much better the Saturn is. Some think it is not worth 2.4 times the price, and could live with the Apollo. Others think there is a significant difference.

There was only one person who found it to sound congested, with no dynamics, and boring. Interesting differences of opinion. Thanks for your thoughtful responses, and any further ones are welcome.
dazzdax
599 posts
 
There is no such thing as a "giant killer" in audio. Yes, there are pieces of audio that belie their costs, but it is very unlikely that a $ 1,500 piece of audio is comparible soundwise to a $ 10,000 unit.

Chris
undertow
1,033 posts
 
Try a Raysonic, put everything to bed.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
I owned a Apollo, and had the chance to do side by side compaison with the Saturn. Now I own a fairly decent high end rig, and try as I might I could hear damn little difference between the two players. Rest assured as some of you might think, I'm not deaf, but I did extensive testing for about four days and clearly to me it seemed that the Saturn was not worth two and one half times the price of the Apollo. I matched levels as closely as I could. If anything the Saturn seemed ever so slightly brighter. The dealer told me the Saturn was fully broke in. Don't get me wrong, I think they are both darn fine players,but ultimately I prefer the Cambridge Audio Azur 840C to either of these players, but that is just my opinion and two cents worth.
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