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Comments pls.: TEAC vs Marantz CD/SACD players

Would appreciate your thoughts on the TEAC Distinction Series CD-3000 vs Marantz SA-11S3- especially from any that have heard or own either. I'm in the process of reading as much as I can find about them. Have searched the forums here as well. Both are audio only, can do CD & SACD and offer balanced XLR out. Both accommodate a range of digital inputs (up to 192 kHz?) including USB.

I'd hope to be able to do in-house auditioning. Goal would be to replace an Upgrade Factory mod'd. Denon DVD2910.

The TEAC is very attractive at a $1000 lower price and has dual DACs - but relatively little info to be found on it. While generally favorable, I'm not entirely sure how to interpret the Feb 2012 HiFi Choice review.

Thanks in advance for your time and comments.
128x128ghosthouse
dsper
663 posts
 
Marantz and Esoteric were on my short list for a new CD player.

I was able to in-house audition an Esoteric SA50. While the Esoteric might have been a little bit weightier than the Oppo, it was too analytical for my set up - Maggie 3.6's and W4S preamp and amp. The Oppo was more musical as well.

Based on the experience with the Esoteric compared to the Oppo, I decided to pass on the Marantz.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I find that even with the cheapest Oppo I get involved enough with music that I forget I only paid 50$ for it.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
an oppo 83se, without a tube analogue stage, sounds thin, by comparison. i sold the oppo and bought another one-- a modwright modified oppo 83se.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse OP
4,306 posts
 
I do appreciate the comments but no one yet with any direct experience of either the TEAC or Marantz???

Dsper - what Oppo are you referring to?
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,826 posts
 
Ghosthouse,

I had a TEAC PD-H600 CDP designed with input from Esoteric and it's a damn fine player, for the price. It's not an SACD player so what I'm going to say next is not a fair comparison but the Marantz SA-15S2b SACD player that I got kinda smokes the TEAC.

The Marantz is overbuilt and looks it from the inside. The TEAC SACD players don't look as robustly built once you have a look inside. That may mean nothing but it doesn't instill confidence for me after comparing it to the Marantz.

Having said that, I think you'd find the SA-15S2b to be more the equal, in price, to the top of the line TEAC SACD player. You can always try to get a demo from Music Direct (like I did) for a good discount and still have the 30 day in home trial.

All the best,
Nonoise
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