Marantz SA-12se

So, paid for and I await the arrival of my new toy.

In another thread I’m torn between a few players and last night I was very impressed with my Rega Apollo (coaxial) into my Nova.

However, my head was definitely turned when I read about the Marantz player and especially at that price so I took the plunge. It certainly looks impressive and by all accounts sounds amazing. I do wonder at this point what interconnect to use/ buy and I’m a big fan of Chord cables.

Of course I think of how it will actually sound once it’s run in. I can’t help feeling it’ll sound very natural and analogue so no glare in the high treble areas. The Marantz players I’ve owned in the past, (CD-54, CD-52, CD-60,CD-63 and CD63ki respectively) have all sounded on the warm side with a good rhythmic character, and from what I’ve read this player keeps this sonic character but with much more detail and musicality.

I’ll post some more thoughts when it’s up and running…

Thanks…

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Happy memories of our Marantz CD6000OSE here! Only owned 2 CD players, though technically the Marantz was my partner’s. Sold in the end in favour of a CD5, which did sound considerably better, but was probably twice the price when new!

Looking forward to hearing about your new player. But not too much, the price they’re going for made my credit card twitch!!!

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Well, I have several RCA to try from Flashback, Atlas, Chord, Accuphase and others, so I too will be experimenting when my (also black) one arrives…

From my own past and current experience, Atlas interconnects do it for me.

If you’re only using it as a transport into the Nova DAC then Atlas coaxial digital cables sound good, the VDH optical one is terrific too (the only optical cable I’ve tried which sounds ‘better’ than others) noting the limitations of optical.

However the Marantz DAC is supposed to be rather decent so I guess you can try both😉

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I agree, they are fine cables and i’ll definitely have a look at both digital and analogue.

Oh and you may wish to amend your thread title, unless you’ve bought a different model😉

Hmm cant decide on one of these or a rega saturn mk3. Cant believe that the rega is currently £400 more!

I thought the same, but I’ll give the Marantz a go and hopefully it’ll be the one for me. There’s a 30 day return on it I believe…

Ive been a bit naughty and ordered one in black.
It will be a little while before they have more stock.
In the meantime i’m going to try and borrow a Rega saturn mk3 and compare the two. Then i’ll return the marantz if the rega is better.

Ignoring the £400 difference between the two cdps the red display is the only thing that puts me off it. Doesn’t fit with the green naim kit and as a top loader i cant hide it in a cupboard easily.

Oh you are naughty :rofl: … I was informed today stocks won’t be available in Black till the end of October, assuming there’s no hold up by their suppliers​:roll_eyes:… Till then I might re and borrow a Saturn 3 myself. If you get hold of one maybe post your thoughts on here ?

Do you mean SA-12SE? not CD-12SE.

I have had an SA-12SE for a couple of years, currently using old Chord Indigo RCA>DIN for analog into NAC252 and Chord Indigo+ digital from the SPDIF output to my Core into the SA-12SE (to try out the DAC in the SA-12)

It is a great player, i do primarily use it for SACD’s.

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Will do. Lets see who gets to compare first😀

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Also surprised at Tysons price of £1600, as most shops do hold to the list price of £3200

I think i paid £2500 a couple of years ago in a sale at av.com, who are listing it today as £3K

ah, also see Nintronics selling it for £1600, so probably a Marantz led reduction…

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I should have asked for some comish…

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Corrected thank you :woozy_face: