Picked up a nice addition to system from DSkip

tratliff

I have been wanting and researching a new cd/sacd player for a little over a year. Was really wanting a Marantz SA-10, Esoteric K-05x or McIntosh MCD-550. But one thing was getting in the way. The all mighty dollar. I was having a difficult time letting lose of $5K+. So when DSkip put the Marantz SA-14 up for sale my gears started turning.

Late last week I decided to make the move and give the SA-14 a try. I picked it up last night and proceeded to get everything wired up. When I turned it on I could immediately tell it was an improvement over the Oppo 105. The level of detail was something that I was not aware I was missing. This player flows audio bliss velvety smooth.

I only have about 8 hours on it but DSkip had put a number of hours on it so break-in should not really be needed. But my listening skills need to adjust to the newness added to the system.

So far I am glad I gave this player a try. I am not taking the Oppo out of the system, just retiring it from 2-channel duties. Over the next few months I will get some head-to-head comparisons between the two.

Now back to SACD playback....

tonyb

Cool man, glad it's working out for you.

Nightfall

I hope Oppo can figure out how to get their players sounding smoother in the future. Maybe that, what I call "hifi" sound, is what keeps them flying off the shelf though.

mikeyb128

My year with the oppo 105D was anything but exciting. it did a great job at bluray, and the dac was decent, but cd playback was sub-par in my opinion.

That marantz looks sweet! Congrats on the purchase, I've been eyeballing one of their higher end units to have an all in one solution (CD player +DAC), and eliminate another box in my system.

kharp1

The 14 is where I stop looking for a drive. Like you said, velvety smooth and full. Great DAC.

txcoastal1

That's awesome bro'. I've been wanting a new SACD player to put in my rig with the Modwright pre and the Thresholds. I'm usually not one to worry about the color but for some reason in this rig I've been really @n@l about it. If I could get an all silver Marantz i would buy one. Marantz has done a good job in there hifi and reference gear not jumping ship when things changed like Sony and Pioneer did as they are now struggling to get peoples attention.


Congrats glad it's living up to your expectations.

mikeyb128

^^^ that is a beauty!

Funny you mention pioneer, I was at one of the HiFi shops in my area and was looking at one of their elite blu-ray players. It was in the neighborhood of 500 bucks. When I lifted it up I almost threw it across the room it was so light! I'm talking feather light here. Too bad.

tratliff

Yeah the silver ones are really nice. while I was researching I found some of the silver pieces available but mostly overseas orders and the prices were way out of control.

Ron I can understand why silver would be needed for your system.

The black one works great in my system since everything except the JC3 is black. I may try to somehow get that changed to black one day soon.

Here is a pic of it in place. Right below the turntable.

Nightfall

Very purdy setup.

txcoastal1

That's sure is a purdy stack

When I get back up to Dallas area I need to come by and hang with you
You've put a lot of effort in your system and it looks awesome.

Got 3 new Buc-ees going up in the Dallas area so I'll be around

Joey_V

Looks good, when do I get to come by?

gudnoyez

When Skip got me my Marantz SA 15S2 player I noticed a significant improvement over my 105D from the got go with both redbook and SACD. The 105D sees mostly Blu Ray duty and the occasional 5.1 surround SACD duty. Enjoy your new Marantz SA-14

lightman1

Lucky dog! I was two beers away from snagging that player. But I will say it looks better in your rig. Congrats and enjoy a fine piece of gear.

hochpt21

tratliff wrote: »

Yeah the silver ones are really nice. while I was researching I found some of the silver pieces available but mostly overseas orders and the prices were way out of control.

Ron I can understand why silver would be needed for your system.

The black one works great in my system since everything except the JC3 is black. I may try to somehow get that changed to black one day soon.

Here is a pic of it in place. Right below the turntable.

That is a SWEET looking rig...and I bet it sounds even better.

dromunds

REALLY sweet looking rig!

tratliff

Thanks guys. I think most of you have seen it change over the years. Finally getting most pieces where I want them. Now just a few more tweaks.

tonyb

Those Legacys still floating your boat ? I see no subwoofer up front....not that you need one with those bad boys. The Macs have to sound stellar on them.

voltz

The is a awesome system you got! Kudos

kharp1

lightman1 wrote: »

Lucky dog! I was two beers away from snagging that player. But I will say it looks better in your rig. Congrats and enjoy a fine piece of gear.

Pathetic! Slow drinking is darn near a sin!

PSOVLSK

Todd, I want to thank you for buying the SA-14. I was sure kicking the tires at Skip's price, but I really can't afford it right now so you possibly saved me doing something stupid

The 8005 is a step or two up from the Oppo 105, so I can only imagine the difference with the SA-14. Beautiful system you've got and I have to believe it sounds better than it looks. I've got to get my ears on it one of these days.

txcoastal1

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Todd, I want to thank you for buying the SA-14. I was sure kicking the tires at Skip's price, but I really can't afford it right now so you possibly saved me doing something stupid

I'm glad it was black, actually not....Skip pull some stings brotha and get me a silver one

erniejade

Nice pick up!! Fits right in with the rest.

halo

That's a great looking setup!

Perhaps you can post it here?: http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/175274/lets-see-it#latest

Well, the Parasound pre matches the silver and black of the tt but I can see where an all black stack might float your boat.

Congrats on the new player! I still enjoy my good 'ol Pioneer DV-47Ai for CD/SACD playback from time to time.

txcoastal1

I still have my old DV-79avi...does well

tratliff

tonyb wrote: »

Those Legacys still floating your boat ? I see no subwoofer up front....not that you need one with those bad boys. The Macs have to sound stellar on them.

Yep the Legacy's are really providing great dynamics. No need for a sub for 2 channel and rarely do I turn it on for movies which has enough impact for most.

The Legacy's and McIntosh are a great combination. Although the Legacy's are efficient they can take the power. I like to turn it up from time to time. And when I do the Macs can provide the current the S/E's are looking for. The great thing about the combination is that at low power the S/E's provide great dynamics and when the volume increases both can maintain control all the way to pushing the 600 watt Mac monoblocks to the edge.

[Deleted User]

A very solid system, well done!

teekay0007

hochpt21 wrote: »

That is a SWEET looking rig...and I bet it sounds even better.

I agree completely!


Ooh, wait a minute...'cept that random cord running across the front of the room. That would totally ruin it for me!

tratliff

teekay0007 wrote: »

I agree completely!


Ooh, wait a minute...'cept that random cord running across the front of the room. That would totally ruin it for me!

That's the USB running to the PC. Normally is put away but I was using the Marantz DAC during the picture.

tratliff

DSkip wrote: »

Sounds like an AURALiC is in your future.

Only one more shelf left on the rack. I have to be really picky about what I get next....

erniejade

The Aires is not a big physically and sounds great.