Cary CD 306 SACD player vs newer Marantz SA 10 CD/SACD player


I'm a current owner of an older Cary CD 306 SACD player (non professional version) and have been very happy with the sound quality of it. The CD 306 SACD is Cary's flagship CD/SACD player. This model along with its professional version both have received praises and spectacular reviews from both professional reviewers and users. And the build quality is superb and this player weighs about 45 pounds. The player has been working flawlessly aside from having to replace a new laser assembly last year which was done by Cary Audio itself which is very common with older CD/SACD players or transports. And I think the CD 306 SACD has been discontinued since 2015/2016.  

 

But I'm curious if the newer Marantz SA 10 CD/SACD player, which is also Marantz's flagship CD/SACD player, would sound better or the Cary CD 306 SACD would sound better than the SA 10. Seems like the Marantz SA 10 is most of the time is being offered at discounted price and it makes me want to pull the trigger on one. 

 

What do you guys think? Both the Cary and the Marantz players can used as a standalone DAC and have various digital audio inputs on the back. 

Advises, thoughts, suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

dilatante

dilatante

 

Excellent follow up. I agree that the SA-10 would be a nice upgrade from the older Cary Audio 306 player. I look forward in reading more about your impressions and thoughts.

 

Happy Listening!

@jafant 

I’m not so sure if the Marantz SA 10 would be a nice upgrade sonically from my current older Cary CD 306 SACD. The SA 10 might be an upgrade sonically from the earlier and even older models of Cary CD 306 that can only play Redbook CD but not SACD. Mine is the 306 SACD non pro version which is the latter model in the CD 306 iteration and is a completely different machines and different design internally then the earlier and even older models of the CD 306. My CD 306 SACD shares nothing in common internally and topoly design wise with the earlier and even older of CD 306 that does not play SACD. Not only Cary added the SACD playback with the 306 SACD like the one I have but they completely redesigned internally. These are completely different machines, the only thing they share in common was the name of the 306 iteration. 

dilatante

 

I have always enjoyed the presentation and sound of Cary Audio players, 303T, 306 SACD and 308.

 

Happy Listening!