Buy the Marantz SA11S1 and spend the other two grand on music. The music is what it's all about anyway, isn't it?

Consider the Rega Apollo. It has a very clear, clean open sound. "Only" $1,000. It appears that it would perfectly fit your preferred sound. No need to spend more if you don't need to.

The CD is the source, saving money on the CD player will only limit the music you can get off the disc. Have a listen to the LINN Majik CD player, it sounds better than the older Ikemi and is cheaper.

Try the new Creek Destiny

Anything more expensive has only a small improvement

Steve

Quote:
Buy the Marantz SA11S1 and spend the other two grand on music. The music is what it's all about anyway, isn't it?

Clay,
Do you happen to own an SA11? I just got one last week and love it!
I am wondering how other owners "set their filters." I realize it is a matter of personal preference, but am curious how others are using the filters. (particularly the #1, 2 and 3 filters.)

Thanks,
Joe

I have the Audio Research CD3 mkII and love it. you should audition one if you can.

www.emmlabs.com They say their's is the ultimate. could it be? Upsamples SACD! Can you hear the difference? A $10K player, versus something based on mortal prices? But then Benchmark is? Using any CD player as a source. but then my AVA Ultra DAC, could smaoke em all? Or is the Marantz better. don't think that $45K Zender/Zander/Dander/Fender/Bender whatever it is ..$45K? It doesn't even do SACD!!!! And who's laser assy is it anyway, I recently got a replacement Philips assy for $29 !!!VAM2201 CD-11 etc...$45K for a cd only player!!! Hmmmm. Makes teh EmmLabs super CD upsampler look like a bargain, at least it has 21st century ckts. Made in Canada. But then a factory refurbed Onky 6 disc SACD/DVD-A, universal is the best bargain I ever got....Onkyo, hardly a name ever mentioned in these pages...I stumbled on it direct from Onkyo, slick, very well made solid, $300!!! Ain't no plastic chinese junk..niiiice stuff. It ain't got no wiring errors in it either for $300. !!! didn't that $45K come like miswired or sumptin'!!! Yupper, i guess ya don't get's what ya pay for, do ya? But then, I probably can't hear as good as the reviewer who claimed it was just so wonderful...... Ooops, I'm being negaative...me so sorry. No, just pointing out soem absurditys....and there sure are lotsa them there that stuff ain't there.

Emmy for Emm? http://www.emmlabs.com/pdf/articles/ces07_dk.pdf This is just your basic starter system, must sound great....probably could save a lot by leaving off the wires though

Quote:
Do you happen to own an SA11? I just got one last week and love it!
I am wondering how other owners "set their filters." I realize it is a matter of personal preference, but am curious how others are using the filters. (particularly the #1, 2 and 3 filters.)

Thanks,
Joe

I don't have experience with this player but I find that I prefer the digital filters that emphasize time/phase coherency over frequency response (like Wadia's filters). When I have a choice I try each option and generally end up liking the coherency one better.