[Images]

Any one own, heard, or had experience with this recently released 2 channel sacd / cd machine?  I have read good and bad about it, but there really isn't too much to read.  There is a pretty complimentary review at 'Good Sound,' but I would prefer to hear the opinions of the AC members. Thanks in advance.

[ted_b]

I owned only one Marantz piece (except for back in the 70's) and liked it very much.  it was the DV9600 universal player.  Very warm but not bloated.  Almost to the level of Dan's modded players (which is what replaced it ultimately).  The SA8003 is a higher tier (albeit redbook/SACD 2 channel only) player than that, so I'd expect goodness.

P.S  Crutchfield carries it, so that's a good thing.  Their 30 day return policy is very fair.

[rpf]

No, but I own the SA15 S2 which the SA8003 seems to share a lot of parts and design elements with: DAC chip, SACDM-10 disc mechanism, HDAM-SA2 circuits, etc. The SA15 S2 is a great machine and an incredible value (I've owned or auditioned extensively the following: Ayre CX7e, Lector CDP7T, Modwright Sony 999 and 9100, and the APL Denon 3900). If the SA8003 is similar sounding, it's an even greater value as it's not only significantly cheaper but has a USB input in contrast to the SA15's Optical one.

[werd]

These new marantz machines make great redbook transports to boot. The 9600 mentioned above is very respectable for cd. Just thought i would mention that