I have had a couple of Marantz players. First came the CD7 and I replaced this with a RAM modified SA11S1. I did hear with the standard SA11S1 the same hardness Mr Tennis is complaining about and which was absent from the CD7 but also noted better PRAT and a sense that there was something pretty good there. I went for the RAM modification as something of a leap of faith but kept my CD7 until I was able to do an AB in my own system and decided I would sell whichever player came in second in my comparison. I also arranged with my very helpful local dealer to do an AB comparison between the modified and unmodified players after the RAM modified SA11S1 had over 500 hours on it.
My dealer was a big fan of the standard SA11S1 but I had noted in his demonstration system, which was highly revealing a certain glare, a hardness which did not make for a pleasurable listening experience long term. I thought some of this was the amplification but when we hooked up the RAM player it was clear that the hardness was coming from the standard SA11S1. The modified player was in a different league. It provided a much more refined presentation with instruments and voices much more clearly defined in the sound stage. It provided a significantly more realistic portrayal of the music and the slight edge I noted with the standard player was banished. The improvement was clear and unequivocal.
A couple of interesting observations were made during this comparison. Firstly, both modified and unmodified players sounded superior using the balanced outputs and the difference was not subtle. For comparative purposes the CD7 was pretty much the same in balanced or SE mode.
Secondly, both units sounded significantly better when placed on a SAP Relaxa support. I now use the Magix 2 supports for similar results. I would also endorse the comments of others who have found improvements with interconnects and PC's. I use Basis PSTT's to excellent effect.
I ended up selling my CD7 as you would have noted from my first paragrah. It was far higher in its quality of manufacture but in the end the sound is the most important thing and the modified SA11S1 was simply better in every way.
I would have preferred not to have to modify a machine but I am well satisfied with the results achieved in both RB and SACD mode. I now have excellent sound from both SACD(though not all are created equally) and CD.
To put all this into perspective, however neither medium comes close to my analog rig in connecting me with the musicians though admittedly I have invested a great deal more money in this area. Analog remains for me the ultimate expression of the art and science of sound reproduction. I wish digital could do it as it has so many positives from convenience and musical choice perspectives but it hasn't got there yet.
My dealer was a big fan of the standard SA11S1 but I had noted in his demonstration system, which was highly revealing a certain glare, a hardness which did not make for a pleasurable listening experience long term. I thought some of this was the amplification but when we hooked up the RAM player it was clear that the hardness was coming from the standard SA11S1. The modified player was in a different league. It provided a much more refined presentation with instruments and voices much more clearly defined in the sound stage. It provided a significantly more realistic portrayal of the music and the slight edge I noted with the standard player was banished. The improvement was clear and unequivocal.
A couple of interesting observations were made during this comparison. Firstly, both modified and unmodified players sounded superior using the balanced outputs and the difference was not subtle. For comparative purposes the CD7 was pretty much the same in balanced or SE mode.
Secondly, both units sounded significantly better when placed on a SAP Relaxa support. I now use the Magix 2 supports for similar results. I would also endorse the comments of others who have found improvements with interconnects and PC's. I use Basis PSTT's to excellent effect.
I ended up selling my CD7 as you would have noted from my first paragrah. It was far higher in its quality of manufacture but in the end the sound is the most important thing and the modified SA11S1 was simply better in every way.
I would have preferred not to have to modify a machine but I am well satisfied with the results achieved in both RB and SACD mode. I now have excellent sound from both SACD(though not all are created equally) and CD.
To put all this into perspective, however neither medium comes close to my analog rig in connecting me with the musicians though admittedly I have invested a great deal more money in this area. Analog remains for me the ultimate expression of the art and science of sound reproduction. I wish digital could do it as it has so many positives from convenience and musical choice perspectives but it hasn't got there yet.