37 replies to this topic

[:)]

Looks like marantz is updating its SA11 to s3 version, this time with digital inputs and no doubt a brush over to refresh.

http://www.whathifi....ro;2999-na-11s1

http://www.avland.co...1s3/sa-11s3.asp

and also the very interesting upper range media version in the NA-11s1
http://www.avland.co...1s1/na-11s1.asp

both should be very interesting devices I think working off a very decent ground base they have in this gear. also for many I imagine they'll be thrilled to read theyre finally also available in not only the champagne gold, but also silver and wait for it .... Black !

also be interesting to see what they launch here for in price. given our awesome exchange rate can imagine it might land here very competitively priced...unless japan plays games or the local distributor decides to pocket a bigger chunk !

anyways good to see marantz continue to maintain his line of product to continue on their 2ch heritage

[myrantz]

:), on 09 June 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

both should be very interesting devices I think working off a very decent ground base they have in this gear. also for many I imagine they'll be thrilled to read theyre finally also available in not only the champagne gold, but also silver and wait for it .... Black !

I'm really suspicious with the SA11-S3. From the pic it seem to lose the ext clock in + phase invert.  And it adds headphone input and digital in..  Suspiciously like the SA-15 series. :/

ext clock is more a gimmick AFAICT, but the phase invert can be very useful, esp for phase inverted SACDs.

The NA-11S1 might be interesting though, although some mob in HK can mod the NA7004...  The NA11-S1 comes in silver . This may be the one I'm interested in, and I can use the NA7004 at work... All the big Japan brands (JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, Onkyo, plus Marantz and Denon) do network streamers now... Hopefully one of these streamers will make a good transport.

[Chicken Man]

:), on 09 June 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

Looks like marantz is updating its SA11 to s3 version, this time with digital inputs and no doubt a brush over to refresh.

http://www.whathifi....ro;2999-na-11s1

http://www.avland.co...1s3/sa-11s3.asp

and also the very interesting upper range media version in the NA-11s1
http://www.avland.co...1s1/na-11s1.asp

both should be very interesting devices I think working off a very decent ground base they have in this gear. also for many I imagine they'll be thrilled to read theyre finally also available in not only the champagne gold, but also silver and wait for it .... Black !

also be interesting to see what they launch here for in price. given our awesome exchange rate can imagine it might land here very competitively priced...unless japan plays games or the local distributor decides to pocket a bigger chunk !

anyways good to see marantz continue to maintain his line of product to continue on their 2ch heritage

You'd think for the high asking price Al, Marantz would get rid of those curved plastic 'wings' to the front panel.
I think 'that' addition just cheapens the whole look of the Marantz styling, much like those volume controls that have little resistive 'feel' to their movement on cheap AVR's.  

All quality products should be quality throughout their construction. There, I feel much better now.

C.M

[gone_bush]

For that price I think I'll keep my Transporter. The SA11, however...

But, realisticly, I cannot even begin to justify that cost for something that would only get occasional use. But should the Tattslotto Express stop at my station, watch this space!

[myrantz]

gone_bush, on 10 June 2012 - 07:24 PM, said:

For that price I think I'll keep my Transporter. The SA11, however...

Give it a few days, the EU dollar may well tank like crazy with the extra flood of money to Spain (3 or 2 more letters to go)

gone_bush, on 10 June 2012 - 07:24 PM, said:

But, realisticly, I cannot even begin to justify that cost for something that would only get occasional use. But should the Tattslotto Express stop at my station, watch this space!

Realistically nobody pays RRP anyway... And may well be worth it - the SA-11S3 "can handle content at up to 193kHz". That's an extra 1 kHz!!!!

Maybe a good combo as a DAC to the transporter? Plays everything - CD/SACD/FLAC/WAV...

Edited by myrantz, 11 June 2012 - 10:07 PM.

[gone_bush]

1) Re the SA11: even if I could get $1k off it would still be a waste - I could use that money to buy that 14mm L.

2) Please leave the trash talk for below the bridge, this part if the Forum is accessible to the public.

[myrantz]

gone_bush, on 11 June 2012 - 05:05 PM, said:

2) Please leave the trash talk for below the bridge, this part if the Forum is accessible to the public.

Precisely why I find it necessary to correct the troll on A/ plastic "wings", and B/ volume control ...  

[gone_bush]

By all means disagree with what has been said but please leave the T-word for OT.

IMHO, and FWIW, I do not think the post you refer to was a troll.

If you think otherwise, may I suggest that you use the " Report" button?

[:)]

treb, as op please can you leave the OT cr@p to OT. especially all this troll talk and what not. as gb has indicated this is the main forum. posting rubbish like that here is an insult to not only posters here but new forum members that might come here and think gees whats up with this place !

if trying to convey a point its real easy...just a matter of saying for instance that as an owner of a sa player the wings are indeed metal. or the volume business is whatever thats all thats required. nothing else is required here really.

instead we now have a thread. posted with good intent cr@pped on when not really needed !

[myrantz]

:), on 11 June 2012 - 07:36 PM, said:

treb, as op please can you leave the OT cr@p to OT.

Sigh.. Ok then.. I still stand by what I said, but will spit out that bite. :/  Apologies for taking the bait, rest assured it will _not_ happen ever again.

For folks who googled and reach here, please sign up to an account here and do a search.. What CM said directly contradicted the things I said as far as it goes with the 11 series (unfortunately you need to spend the extra effort to register for an account to read 'em).

Especially the volume control (be it the PM-11 or SC-11) and the build quality... Don't think the front is metal? Try scratching it, you'd see it's metal...

Rest assured, what CM said is completely false. Unless Marantz upmarketed their 7xxx series as their 2nd best on offer - we'd know for sure once they're released later this year.

Here's hoping the SA-11S3 can fix up all the deficiencies I feel is lacking with the PCM side of the SA-11S2...

[:)]

what do you see as deficiencies in the sa11s2 treb, I seem to have missed that discussion. would be interested what you feel would be improvements in the s3 in regards this aspect ?

[myrantz]

:), on 11 June 2012 - 10:39 PM, said:

what do you see as deficiencies in the sa11s2 treb, I seem to have missed that discussion. would be interested what you feel would be improvements in the s3 in regards this aspect ?

I didn't really discuss it publicly IIRC ... First of all, a disclaimer, my opinions are my own and may well differ from others with the same equipment. I can only state my experiences, nothing more.

Unfortunately I don't know how to explain it - I still get the fantastic surround sound effect, and it's still a pretty revealing player (enough for me to make the wild claim that DSOTM is recorded out of phase).

But over time those gimmicks wore away and I find myself a lot less connected and much less engaged if I use the SA-11S2 for CD playback. Subjectively, the music from CD seems "soulless" and "artificial". i.e. it's not fun to listen to.

Weirdly, somehow it's still a pretty good SACD player though IMO... e.g. I like Getz/Gilberto SACD from AP, that for me settles the bugging question whether Astrud (or Astrid?) should be singing from the left or right ..

There are also little things to whinge about (e.g. i find the bass a bit too much and the stage too forward for my little room), but nowadays I just set it up for SACD and nothing more. For the money, and just for SACD I honestly don't think the SA-11S2 is worth the money at all..

Many people also seem to offload the SA-11S2 when they got it. Maybe they think the same, or maybe not.. Dun really know.

The SA-11S3 from the looks of it looks like a completely different machine (more 15 than 11). So my whinges on the SA-11S2 may well don't apply here...

Hopefully I've not discouraged any people away from the SA-11S3 or any of the Marantz premium/reference series... Selfishly I want somebody I know and trust to get one so I can get some user reviews :ninja: ...

Edit: Just occurred to me.. There was various reviews out that on the SA-KI pearl and IIRC most bar one prefer the KI over the SA-11S2. And the only exception review is when he swap out the fuses .. But in stock form as far as reviews go most seem to prefer the KI.. Anecdotal but for reference...

Edited by myrantz, 12 June 2012 - 11:06 AM.

[Chicken Man]

myrantz, on 11 June 2012 - 10:29 PM, said:

Sigh.. Ok then.. I still stand by what I said, but will spit out that bite. :/  Apologies for taking the bait, rest assured it will _not_ happen ever again.

For folks who googled and reach here, please sign up to an account here and do a search.. What CM said directly contradicted the things I said as far as it goes with the 11 series (unfortunately you need to spend the extra effort to register for an account to read 'em).

Especially the volume control (be it the PM-11 or SC-11) and the build quality... Don't think the front is metal? Try scratching it, you'd see it's metal...

Rest assured, what CM said is completely false. Unless Marantz upmarketed their 7xxx series as their 2nd best on offer - we'd know for sure once they're released later this year.

Here's hoping the SA-11S3 can fix up all the deficiencies I feel is lacking with the PCM side of the SA-11S2...

As reason of explaination, I was in the market for a Marantz SR7005 AVR as a replacement for my dated Denon AVR-3803, I have yet to decide. Al offered some alternatives to the Marantz.
The Marantz SR7005 had those cheap plastic, resin 'wings' attached to the front metal faceplate which seemed to be out of place with its overall construction. From the looks of the equipment highlighted by the links provided by Al it appeared Marantz was continuing the trend. Thus the comment made by me...." You'd think for the high asking price Al, Marantz would get rid of those curved plastic 'wings' to the front panel. I think 'that' addition just cheapens the whole look of the Marantz styling"

As for the latter comment...",much like those volume controls that have little resistive 'feel' to their movement on cheap AVR's."
It was in reference to the cheap Denon AVR's and such one finds with box movers like Harvey Norman, rotating the volume control of such amps gives you that 'cheap' feel.
I don't patronize any manufacturer's brand name, but it seems that you do and any slight remark that offends that 'image' seems to spark resentment toward me on nearly any subject. I tell it as it is and I don't feel I have to explain myself to you but out of courtesy to the other posters and readers of this thread I have done just that. No malice to anyone or yourself was intended, my remarks were to Al whose opinions I value greatly on equipment recommendation.

So let's leave it there and let's put aside personal slights in future.

C.M

Edited by Chicken Man, 12 June 2012 - 02:51 PM.

[Autocrat]

:), on 09 June 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

also be interesting to see what they launch here for in price. given our awesome exchange rate can imagine it might land here very competitively priced...unless japan plays games or the local distributor decides to pocket a bigger chunk !

You going for the comedic approach Al?  The answer, of course, is that if Marantz decide to price it reasonably based on the exchange rate, then Qualifi will take an even bigger gouge than they otherwise would have.  If Marantz gouge us, then the distributor will gouge us extra.

Whatever happens, the retailers will be stuck trying to move gear on a very small margin because if they price it too far out of the market people will just import them.

[myrantz]

Chicken Man, on 12 June 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

As reason of explaination, I was in the market for a Marantz SR7005 AVR as a replacement for my dated Denon AVR-3803, I have yet to decide.

Go Denon .. Well supported and bug free..  SQ and AQ may well not be up there - but it works.

Autocrat, on 12 June 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

Whatever happens, the retailers will be stuck trying to move gear on a very small margin because if they price it too far out of the market people will just import them.

They didn't before, but maybe Qualifi will play nice now?   

All major CE makers in Japan are moving towards network streamers (or standalone DAC) now... Can't help but feel disc spinning days may well be over soon.... If anybody is still looking for a modern day SACD spinner, this may well be one of the last from a major Japanese brand?

Edited by myrantz, 12 June 2012 - 05:25 PM.

[:)]

Autocrat, on 12 June 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

You going for the comedic approach Al?  The answer, of course, is that if Marantz decide to price it reasonably based on the exchange rate, then Qualifi will take an even bigger gouge than they otherwise would have.  If Marantz gouge us, then the distributor will gouge us extra.

Whatever happens, the retailers will be stuck trying to move gear on a very small margin because if they price it too far out of the market people will just import them.

haha we live in hope...

nad which is imported by audio products just gave us the nad m51 at lowest price than anywhere in the world. so who knows. our dollar is king for imports. its just our volumes are pathetic. but yeah depends on both marantz and local importer not gouging us for a change

[myrantz]

According to whathifi blog: linky

The NA-11S1 is delayed until next year.  Funny that the pic ominously says "Don't know why"..  "The reason? The company wants to take a look at the market and make sure that when the product appears, it's fully up-to-date with current streaming trends."

In a way it means there are so many network streamers out there (most at much much cheaper prices, and with built in wifi), they don't think this is going to sell...

And abit more info on the spinner: "The SA-11S3 player uses new 384kHz/24-bit digital-to-analogue conversion, a new dedicated SACD/CD mechanism, the SACDM-2". So it's a different DAC and mechanism (vs SACDM-1) and no idea what they are as yet... Specs really don't matter, but at least in this case it may well be a good thing..

Available next month... Disc spinners just can't die..

[:)]

lets face it last thing market needs now is another media player. especially when can buy quality once from $100 upwards. and even come built in for free in things eg avrs tvs, disc players etc etc...

disc players still have a charm though, and perhaps yes marantz realises a high end media player might be trying to scratch out a niche where one doesnt exist. but with disc players there is already a ready market for those looking for quality ones ?

[myrantz]

:), on 15 June 2012 - 11:10 PM, said:

lets face it last thing market needs now is another media player. especially when can buy quality once from $100 upwards. and even come built in for free in things eg avrs tvs, disc players etc etc...

Yeah... They probably realised that too.. Took me how many days to realise the pricing is in pounds and not EU.

:), on 15 June 2012 - 11:10 PM, said:

disc players still have a charm though, and perhaps yes marantz realises a high end media player might be trying to scratch out a niche where one doesnt exist. but with disc players there is already a ready market for those looking for quality ones ?

Again agreed. Hopefully media streamers will catch on... The difference I guess is CD players are spinning content we have vs network streamers playing content that we don't (good for people discovering new music).

Maybe once the current crop of techno iPod generations grow up, we will see more of these streamer thingys. Things are looking good in japan, but then they probably have some online content that isn't available anywhere else. There seems to be some hint about spotify for the NA-11S1 in the blog, maybe that will make it more attractive.. But meh, at least 6 months down the road, too early to speculate.

[gone_bush]

Your comment "good for people discovering new music" made me wonder whether the NA11S1 can stream contents direct from the Internet. The Transporter can and I find that it provides a source of high quality digital music at no cost.

[myrantz]

gone_bush, on 18 June 2012 - 03:39 PM, said:

Your comment "good for people discovering new music" made me wonder whether the NA11S1 can stream contents direct from the Internet. The Transporter can and I find that it provides a source of high quality digital music at no cost.

Good for lazy people?

It should be able to (if it's like the NA-7004)... So far hasn't really eaten into the ISP quota yet... The NA7004 don't work with all  the streams though (can't remember what format it doesn't support atm).. Would expect the NA-11S1 to have the same functionality, and hopefully if the speculation about Spotify is true, it will also e  added as a feature for the NA7004 (I can `steal` bandwidth @ work )...

TBH I think your transporter looks way cooler and more bling, but logitech (or what's it's name) don't sell it any more ...

[gone_bush]

Dunno about the cool looks but there were a few geeks on the design panel. It has some really cool techie stuff!

[obi]

Has anyone heard whether they're updating their flagship SA-7S1 anytime soon? It's been around for AWHILE

[myrantz]

obi, on 28 July 2012 - 01:24 AM, said:

Has anyone heard whether they're updating their flagship SA-7S1 anytime soon? It's been around for AWHILE

The 7 and 11 series control amplifier, the 11 series power amp, and the MA-9 monoblocks are now all missing from the product webpages (and they disappeared quite recently too)..  You still can find the SA-7S1 on the HK website, but like the other sites, this may disappear soon.

The Japanese brochure I got from around Apr/May also no longer have the above 3... Maybe they're working on a update, also could mean they are discontinued ... The "flagship" is now the PM-11S3 it seems. So, not too sure if they are making them anymore...

Anyway, the SA-11S3 product webpage now up in marantz.co.jp: Linky (if you use chrome you can translate it, not sure how to get a google translated page)... Several things:
1/ DAC chip used is DSD1792A (1 chip?). It's a different chip to the 11S2.
2/ And it now has standby mode (the SA-11S2 only has a hard power switch, and no standby)...
3/ The new remote look plasticy cheap (not like the aluminium ones with the previous models)
All in all very confused with this CD player..
Hopefully a english product page will turn up soon (bz atm so didn't chk all)...

[:)]

hmm if theyre culling all the top line, starting to get the feeling marantz no longer the company once was. sounds like going to eek a bit more out of the current 11 line which hopefully keeps things going