Lula:
When I said that the Marantz was a completely different machine, perhaps I misspoke. Its a far cry presentation-wise from stock Esoterics Ive owned or heard, but its rather similar to my modded X-01. Both are VERY fluid and organic, with the X-01 perhaps getting the nod in the transparency/resolution department. But the Marantz, for some strange reason, encouraged longer listening sessions. Perhaps its low distortion, perhaps something else, but the SA-7S1 is one of the best music-makers Ive heard. You just get swallowed by the music and completely forget all the audiophile BS that most of us get so wrapped up in. In that sense, and not in an audiophile way, its stunningly transparent: all the typical audiophile descriptors melt away, leaving just the music.
I have absolutely no regrets buying my X-01. That said, had the Marantz been available back then, would I have gotten it instead? Hard to say for sure, but one youve heard it, and if youve listened to enough live music to know what its doing right, its awfully tough to resist. YMMV, of course.
When I said that the Marantz was a completely different machine, perhaps I misspoke. Its a far cry presentation-wise from stock Esoterics Ive owned or heard, but its rather similar to my modded X-01. Both are VERY fluid and organic, with the X-01 perhaps getting the nod in the transparency/resolution department. But the Marantz, for some strange reason, encouraged longer listening sessions. Perhaps its low distortion, perhaps something else, but the SA-7S1 is one of the best music-makers Ive heard. You just get swallowed by the music and completely forget all the audiophile BS that most of us get so wrapped up in. In that sense, and not in an audiophile way, its stunningly transparent: all the typical audiophile descriptors melt away, leaving just the music.
I have absolutely no regrets buying my X-01. That said, had the Marantz been available back then, would I have gotten it instead? Hard to say for sure, but one youve heard it, and if youve listened to enough live music to know what its doing right, its awfully tough to resist. YMMV, of course.