break-in for Marantz SA-7S1

My SA-7S1 also sounded good from the beginning and has just gotten better over time. I disagree with the comment that timbre or focus is a problem. As another lister suggested, power cord and interconnects are very important. I'm using a Shunyata Taipan VX Helix power cord and Stereovox Reference interconnects. I have two friends who love their 7S1 in systems very different from mine. A recent critical listener said this was the first player he had heard that was free of the digital qualities he found so bothersome in other players. Break-in has improved soundstaging and resulted in a more open quality. In my player detail and dynamics are great while being very musically involving at the same time. FWIW, I still listen to my analogue system much of the time. I enjoy both.

Hi Jake18, have you thought of trying the Alpha variant of your Shunyata cord on your SA71S? VX cords contain a filtering compound that tends to blend away low level detail. . . it's a little like caramelizing the music. . . The Marantz does not have any digital screetchies that need outside 'taming'. IMO.

at this time my favorite cd player is the audionote cd2. i thought i liked the original lector 7, the two chassis version.

i also liked the first zanden dac, not the current version,the sony scd 1, the cal tempest and first aria player.

these are the players that come to mind. most players i audition do not impress me. i find that they annoy me because of errors in reproducing timbre and an analytical presentation.

in fact most stereo systems sound more focused than live music.

i find the marantz 7s1 and 11s2 balanced in its frequency response. however, it exhibits a level of clarity that is not heard when in the presence of live unamplified music.

these players are ruthless in their revelation of flaws in a recording. unless one listens to cds which have no "problems", the assault on one's ears may cause one to turn off either player, after a short while, or make sure it feeds a preamp and amp which is subtractive in its coloration. fortunately, i own such a preamp.

"it exhibits a level of clarity that is not heard when in the presence of live unamplified music. these players are ruthless in their revelation of flaws in a recording. . ."

I agree with you this time MRT, that's one of the very reasons why I enjoy SA7S1, my own X-01 LE, MPS-5, and a few other players. . . . but it is not so much that they exhibit a level of clarity greater than live unamplified music. . . it is that to hear the same level of detail you would need to place yourself in socially unacceptable proximity to the performer or the instrument. . . ah, marvels of technology! G