Best SACD player for the money - Marantz SA-11S1

This eve I compared the line out vs balanced on the Marantz SA-11S1. All evaluations posted prior were line out since my Sonic Euphoria has no balanced.

With one safe SACD, Ravel-Boulez Conducts Ravel on Sony I ran line vs balanced from the Marantz into the BAT 6200 amp. On the first tract I could go about 5-6 minutes before volume was a bit too loud. Levels aside the comparison was close enough that I would claim no distinction. Both allowed me to equally hear the noise in the right channel that is somewhat lower level information. This is
somewhat early on the Bolero cut, but not right from the start.

I wouldn't claim that this SACD was any more wonderful than a good red book CD.

Maybe next I will try a dual layer, of course stopping btn CD and SACD.

Right now as I type, and with the Marantz back into the pre-amp, the tympami are rumbling across the basement into my computer room as the piece ends.

Soon

Hi again;

Back from a mow in the snow. Actually sleet, but the grass was in need of a season first cutting.

More in line with the SACD theme of this thread, I just found one dual layer disc, Roxy Music- Avalon. Not a real sonic standout, yet that is what I had on hand. Line level outputs.

The Redbook was about 3 db higher in level thru the Rat Shack db meter, so I changed the preamp volume control on each switching to give a fair comparison.

After two back and forths with Redbook and SACD on the first three cuts I had a conclusion. I went back and forth many times thereafter.

The most telling difference was the SACD sounded a bit smoother and had a little less treble/upper midrange presence. The Redbook had more air and life, which struck me first as being brighter. However the highs were not glaring or with edge. In fact, the Redbook sounded more alive. The air seemed more wet and vibrant. SACD air was a bit dry and maybe less open. Kind of nice to have two presentations on one disc. SACD before bed for me.

Of course, this is only on one disc and who knows if the mastering of the original soundtract was different before the digital work.

I am going to surmise that if I compared the two formats substituting my old Cello Palatte for the Sonic Euphoria preamp I would prefer the SACD. I remember much more CD glare and much less air with that preamp. Glare rubs me wrong. Much more tone control work to try (not with great success) and remove glare and edge. Before I purchased the Marantz I was happy to replace the Palatte with the Sonic Euphoria, giving up glare, edge and grain for more air and transparency. Less fighting with the music now.

That's more of the picture I am seeing. Of course, it takes many brush strokes to make a painting.

B

I wore out three copies of BOS in the 70s. Had to listen to it every day for a while. Still resides in the center of my heart and all other music must answer to it!!!!!! Well maybe subconsciously?

I probably should have started a new thread, but I am just a newbie here.

Well, you may be a newbie but you sure have a lot of energy and passion for audio.
Welcome and have fun here!