Marantz SA-1 SACD player....worth it ?

i've owned the marantz sa-1 since last june and i've loved it. it takes a long time to break in, about 400 hours, and i think you also learn to listen in a different way. i use a linn cd-12 for my 16/44 so cd performance is not important to me but it's pretty good. the sa-1 is in league with my vinyl set-up for performance although with 45 rpm vinyl my aesthitix io betters sacd slightly. i've not compared the sa-1 side by side with the sony but those that have seem to prefer the marantz. i agree with other posters that the sony is a better buy; but the best is never cheap.

i would add that a brief demo of this unit would probably be a waste of your time. i generally don't judge any equipment thru brief demos but need to have quality time in my own system for meaningful judgments. this goes doubly with this unit.

is it the best? i don't know. all i know is i am very happy with it.

hope this helps

mike lavigne

Just recently read a review between the 2 mentioned and both persons agreed there was know difference except of coarse the cost.

I heard the Marantz under the most desirable circumstances possible, and was not any more impressed by it than the 9000ES, in fact I was dissapointed. I expected more for such a huge price difference. Of course an A-B test might prove otherwise, but that is difficult to do. Either way, the difference will not be that dramatic. Albert is on the money!

Read the review of this unit in the latest issue of Ultimate Audio which pulls no punches.

Hi Lwin. In a nutshell what did ultimate audio say about the Marantz sa-1 sacd player? Thanks so much.