SYSTEM REVIEW! Marantz Model 30 SACD Player & Integrated Amplifier

[@ZeroFidelity]

TRANSPARENCY UPDATE: Sound United recently paid me for participating in the launch of the Model 30 with this video. To be clear, this is NOT a sponsored review. I did not get to keep the products. Payment did not arrive until WELL after the review went live. All thoughts and impressions in this review are genuine and are my own. Compensation from Sound United was due to the extremely short time-window I was given to review the Model 30 stack in time for their product launch. I had to postpone many personal and work events to make this happen, something I'm unwilling to do for free.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Sounds like Ken Ishiwata would be proud;-) I still have my CD-63 and CD-63se players...says something about Marantz durability after 25 years!

[@thomaswachter7782]

A very refreshing view. I love that you only included the CD playback. This is what I wanted.

[@francescas6026]

I own the Marantz Ruby stack and they really pair nice with the KEF R3 speakers. I was interested in hearing your review on the Model 30's because they benefited from the Ruby design elements. If the Model 30's are anything like the Ruby stack they will do great with streaming. Thanks for your reviews.

[@TorToroPorco]

Having a lucid mid range is a really worthwhile quality to look for. The SACD player really upsets my buying plans because of its sheer versatility. I imagine it won’t sound as a good as a stand-alone DAC at an equivalent price but the sound quality seems to be good enough that the cost savings of not having to purchase a separate DAC, network streamer and CD transport is considerable. At the very least it would form the basis of a quality 2nd system. Another useful review (even without the sexy motion video).

[@themastroiannis]

i recently bought the Marantz Model 30 and was curious about your review. It is an absolutely fantastic integrated amp! beautiful, refined, dynamic, lots of power, control on bass notes, emotional ! i can't compare it to more expensive models... but have gone through (on the last 5 years) the following amps: Iota SA3, Arcam SA 10, Audiolab 6000A, Cambridge CXA81, Arcam SA20, Creek Destiny.... the difference with ALL of them is huge! My second favorite would be the Audiolab 6000A for its purity of tone. But this Marantz is simply infectious! so much clarity and yet not fatiguing. Huge soundstage. Every single speaker I tried sounded like a new speaker (way better) with this amp. Excellent phono stage as well. For what is worth... very highly recommended.

[@albert4321234]

I just received the 30N today. My impression is that the player sounds smooth and very airy. Apple air play works well and sound better than streaming directly to my LS50 WIRELESS ll.

[@antunkatona5674]

Hi Sean! Are you certain this player uses a Burr-Brown DAC? Isn't the D/A convesrion done using a discrete circuit as part of Marantz's MMM system?

[@themastroiannis]

dvorak symphony #8 ...beautiful symphony!! cool you listen to classical music as well! awesome!!

[@1mctous]

They got either the number or the key wrong. The Dvorak 9th is in E minor, the 8th in its relative G major. I've heard excellent sounding Bruckner from Honeck and Pittsburgh.

[@arcforceworld]

that track at the end made me crank the bass knob on my yamaha to match my speakers to what i was hearing out of my headphones! Thanks for the reference tunes!

[@mrpositronia]

Thanks, Sean. Please do more CD player reviews. Plenty of people still play CDs.

[@afelcandy]

I have lots of CDs still with their package sealed.

[@MrPkimura]

Great review! The soundstage on that outro track was amazing!

[@Mr.Deeds.]

Amazing review!! Thank you for taking the time to do this!! 👍

[@hi-fihaven2257]

This setup looks to be on my horizons very soon!

[@rlwings]

So did you get them yet? - How do they sound?

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Marantz/Philips Has always had some very good upper class cd players Even their older upper class models are incredable ! TDA ! Now its time for Yamaha To send you their SACD player So after you review it I will actually hear it without listing to it lol Ohhh dam that Marantz looks crazy good !

[@nathanjones4039]

So glad I went the Yamaha route. Not having balanced out is deal breaker for me, and all the streaming capabilities on one chassis, it doesn’t interest me. If this were a stripped down version w/o all the streaming and had balanced outputs, I’d gladly pay more. Yamaha CD-S2100 is the route I went with, paired with my A-S2200 is the synergy that suites me better. This stack will definitely suite someone’s taste, just not mine. Great review as always!

[@mpitogo]

To go fully balanced you would need to jump to the flagship reference PM-10/SA-10. Those two a fully balanced through and through. I own a pair and enjoy them. Yamaha seemed to me also a good competitor but I couldn’t get my head around the power. Not that I really need it but I like to have it, owning gear like McIntosh, power galore and no regrets.

[@bnieverajr]

First, bravo as always on your cogent takes on gear, as well as your excellent educational takes; having known you in your prior roles in sales and marketing with iFi, your no nonsense approach is always why I’m tuned into your programs. That said, a few things: the presser and sales call with Marantz made no mention of its transport being made by Philips, other to say that it was an original design. Can you confirm that? Second, I echo the same sentiment re: Class D - listen to it! Even I had my doubts given the early versions yet with NAD’s Eigentakt and other models, Class D is enjoying a proper resurgence. Your voicing reviews are as I would expect, having been exposed to the 10-series and Ki-branded models. Well done friend. Bes

[@ZeroFidelity]

Cheers Bes! The drive was a collaborative effort between Marantz and Philips. Information I gleaned while in a meeting with the boys. It's also how I learned about the NC500 modules being the result of a long project between Hypex and Marantz. Thanks for watching and I hope all is well on your end!

[@bnieverajr]

@@ZeroFidelity To coin a phrase, "I am alive!" Be well my friend.

[@estenray6685]

Thanks Sean! Your with out a doubt one of the best, your reviews never fail to impress.... Ps: sorry for the lame rhyme... couldn’t help myself but the sentiment is sincere!

[@saritshah9156]

Just adding my 2c. Got this stack a couple of months ago to replace my ancier but still v good Pioneer A400/Epos ES11/PC & Amazon Echo streamers. I would say it works best with speakers on the bright side. I currently have the stack hooked up to my v neutral and transparent ES11's and while the sound is v impressive overall it definitely lacks sparkle and life to the point of being dull. I did b2b comparisions with my A400 (w/i same SACD 30 source) and it actually sounds better (ignoring sound stage stuff etc). Drums, for eg, are much more dynamic and livelier. I experimented by turning the tone controls on and ramping up the treble (currently between 2 and 3 o'clock) and it's a massive improvement! Whole thing comes alive while retaining all the good points. But, I am not keen on using the tone controls as I hate the thought of anything being in the way of the signal path. I reckon B&W 700 & 600' series with their bright tweeters are the best match for the Marantz combo. In fact, I think the Marantz sound masters specifically test with B&W 803's etc. And, on the Marantz website, they specifically recommend B&W 703 S2 Signatures. In conclusion, this Marantz combo requires v careful speaker matching. Avoid smooth or neutral sounding amps imo - which is a shame because there are so many fantastic speakers in all price ranges to choose from :( Next step is to hook it up to my recently purchased Focal Aria K2 936's. But have to wait till the summer as they are in the UK hooked up to an Audiolab Omnia and I am in HK currently. Fingers x'd.

[@dougg1075]

Every time I see a review of something with VU meters , even small tasteful ones I see comments from folks saying how cool they look. I wonder why we don’t see more of them as they can’t be too expensive. Imagine if that Marantz had a couple small badass meters on the front. I don’t know

[@khalid969]

@Fat Rat I was watching a Luxman demo and the meters stayed at the same level as the music was winding down at the end of the song. They have nothing to do with volume, so I don't know what they are for.

[@dougg1075]

Fat Rat so is the port hole. I meant it as eye candy. I like eye candy.

[@justanotheryoutubeuser5029]

Nice! Ive being contemplating on getting a (SA)CD but not at this price point. Now have an idea the CD source matters

[@nathanjones4039]

Yamaha CD-S1000

[@FarHagh]

I spy with my little eyes a big blue tower speaker...

[@charlesgrubbs2101]

Gershman Avant Garde?

[@charlesgrubbs2101]

Yes, Gershmans. Looking forward to the review.

[@adamurbanik7545]

Great job as usual easy to listen to tell understand quick question though how do you think that SACD Player pair up with Yamaha AS 1200 Sound to me like a good combination What do you think based on the reviews

[@mrdogfight1]

Seeing that Ken Ishiwata gave big praise about the Q Acoustics Concept 500. It's safe to say it would pair well with this setup?

[@joeythedime1838]

I am wonder how this compares to the Technics SL-G700. Very similar features and functionality.

[@imagesbyjonevan3890]

I have a yamaha 2200 and BW 706 s2 speakers,,will this be a problem with the natural sound of yamaha?

[@mmdusa]

I, too am glad to see Marantz making some design changes. Looks pretty cool. Another great review. I only wish you had compared the cd player to your own. How does it hold up compared to that beast you use? Cheers, Sean!

[@ZeroFidelity]

Thanks! So to answer your question: The AMR CD-777 SE sounds better in every single way, which is in no way surprising.

[@isaacjayabalu5052]

Good variety and angles in presentation Good on you..

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

How about the highest end Marantz cd player? Lets get a review in

[@georgebz1469]

Was the hissing noise on the Klipsch caused by the amp or by the SACD player or both?

[@ptg01]

Luckily, I don't hear any of the hiss he is mentioning on my Cornwalls.

[@stevescott200]

beautifully styled equipment

[@tobbietsai392]

Great review and music . Thanks Sean.

[@tomchan2559]

Technics SL-G700 SACD and Network player has MQA full decoder and XLR output for $500 more. Steve did a review last week. Sean, please do a Technics vs Marantz...

[@Deeky76]

I'll take a Marantz over Technics anyday, The new Technics gear looks the part but other manufacturers with amplifiers/receiver's at half the cost smash the granny out of them sound quality wise.. Technics in my eyes is over exaggerated ...

[@sdemosi]

I love that Technics player. Haven't heard the new SU G700 mk2 integrated amp but the older model is great. I hear the new version has a wider soundstage and some more tech from the RU1000 model.

[@citytianyu]

​@@sdemosithe SU G700 m2 is great. That's why I'm curious about SL g700 SACD player too.

[@faustoperez2653]

Great review! Do you have plans to review the Denon dcd 110 sacd player in the near future? Would appreciate to know the Sonic differences

[@yippie6862]

Do you think this Marantz stack would match up well with the Harbeth P3ESR's?

[@Drackleyrva]

Great review! I have the ND8006. Is the 30n worth the upgrade? Is it much better than the 8006? Thanks.

[@andrewmanus5686]

This is what i want to know as well

[@luigy39]

Can your sound observations of the SACD 30N be applied to the USB input? I have tons of high-quality music on hard drives. I would like to pair this marantz player with the Parasound JC5 and I'm wondering how they would sound together.

[@jimshaw899]

I am surprised this doesn't have balanced outputs, in addition to single-ended. IF powered speakers are EVER in your future, you're going to want longer, balanced, more noise immune interconnecting cables. At this price point, that's a likely disqualifier. The catalogs are filled with new components that offer balanced signals to be more future-proof.

[@ZeroFidelity]

It has variable single-ended outputs for powered speakers, as literally mentioned in the review! haha The advantages of balanced inputs/outputs are mostly negated if the circuit itself isn't natively balanced. As for powered speakers - I don't see the advantage. Most powered loudspeakers are incredibly noisy. Particularly under 2 grand. Whatever you'd gain by sending a truly balanced signal to them would be instantly nullified by the time the signal runs through the amp of the powered speaker.

[@jimshaw899]

@@ZeroFidelity Arguable. Single ended signal cables have noise, high frequency loss, and ground loop issues at longer lengths that are largely solved by low impedance balanced signal cables. The audio industry has recognized this since the early 1930's. Electrical engineering 102. You may despise engineers, at your own peril. Science matters.

[@ZeroFidelity]

@@jimshaw899 Not sure where you get this notion that I despise engineers. I interact with audio engineers on a weekly basis, and have outright stated (multiple times, in public) how everything that we experience in this hobby is a result of science. My entire review style is based off the notion of every product having a concrete performance envelope that's governed by electrical and physical design choices. I have also been through a gamut of single-ended circuits that use balanced connectors that quite frankly, do not perform well at all. Yes, there are quantifiable advantages to running balanced, but those benefits are not always absolute across every component and every design type.

[@jimshaw899]

@@ZeroFidelity I just take you at your word, as expressed in a livestream. Remember the backhand threat to engineers? I do. Single-ended signals sent through a balanced cable are not a balanced signal. XLR connectors do not necessarily make a balanced, low impedance, independent ground signal path. RCA cables assure none of that benefit. But you know all that. And as to topology, you have opined that powered speakers are the likely future. I take you at your word.

[@jimshaw899]

@Fat Rat Point: XLR is a connector. Its use defines almost nothing as to signal character. "True XLR" is meaningless. Ears are important, but difficult to communicate with common ground. "Who says Chopin is better than a beaten hollow log?" Yet some playback devices give loveable log beating. Others are really true to an erhu. :)

[@geminijinxies7258]

Seems like a nice player, but why are there no ground pin on the AC in? It can't cost much to add and will make the player sound better.

[@polarbear3427]

So how the hell do you you get a cd in this contraption?

[@sound-flies]

Nice review and keeping it real:)

[@Gioxtream]

HOW YOU COMPARED THIS AMPLIFIER WITH THE MARANTZ 8006 IN AUDIO QUALITY???

[@themergen1]

Can you please review The Marantz 5-channel amplifier, MM 7055 ?

[@map856]

Hi Sean, thanks for yet another great review. Just wondering whether you have any thoughts about how these would pair up with Harbeth loudspeakers. Cheers.

[@ZeroFidelity]

It should work pretty well with Harbeths!

[@isaacsykes3]

Great review, also your killing it with the music on the intro and outro...I love it. My question is how do you think this stack will pair with Electrostatic speakers, i.e ML ESL X'S, or the new KEF LS50'S Metas? Also do you have any insight as to whether or not Marantz plans to release a balanced version of this stack, which I think would address that his issue. Anyway, keep up the great work and BE SAFE,

[@albertccja13]

Very good video!!! quick question...I usualy play cd's using an asus cd player + foobar2000 + ifi zen dac on my PC. Do you think is a huge difference playing cd on this units compared what I already have? thanks in advance.

[@citytianyu]

2 years later, very curious did you do some adventures😊? To me, the short answer is yes, but a better answer depends on what the other components in you downstream chain, especially speakers, if they are not that good, then better to replace them first.

[@Scuderia_Fan]

Thanks for the review! Do you think this might be a good match with Dali Rubicon speakers? Just wondering...

[@migelangelo8753]

If you like relax sound combo marantz player + marantz amp + dali speakers will be a good choice. With transparent cables it has lively, smooth , but dinamic sound for vocal, blues, pop and not the most agressive rock music. And this combo marantz-dali sound very attractive and emotional.

[@Scuderia_Fan]

@@migelangelo8753 Thanks!

[@derrick8064]

Hi Sean. Would this stack pair well with the Polk l100/200s?

[@ZeroFidelity]

Yup!

[@sbhand5740]

How does the Model 30 compare to the Heed Abacus DAC and which do you prefer?

[@wa2368]

Nice review man. Savy marketing from Marantz. Sounds like they voiced it so you buy the 2 piece stack (and not one or the other)

[@GTRxMan]

The lack of balanced inputs/outputs at this price point is disappointing.

[@tp9567]

You said nobody watched this video. I watch your videos all the time. I want to make a comment on your last live stream you made a comment and said “it doesn’t make me want to punch babies when I listen to it” I am a senior citizen and I had to look up, that phrase on the Internet, the slang for millennials I guess. I like listening to you Sean but that caught me off guard. I think you’re great though. The times they are a changing.

[@chrisbonica1775]

Any chance you could review the outlaw audio RR2160

[@kartickgrover]

The CD review part was a bit rushed man.... were there more than one review that you wrapped up on the same day when you did this one 😜? Anyway, thanks for putting the cdp review out. Was looking out for it!!

[@bizyz]

i like this disc player but not the new companion amp that goes with it because it doesnt have 2 sets of speaker binding posts for bi wiring.

[@howardskeivys4184]

After that review, I may have to find a local bricks and mortar dealer that will allow me a home demo!

[@byron2882]

Is this amp likely to be a good match for Focal speakers, in particular a Aria 936?

[@briandorsey6437]

He says in the video that this will work well with Kefs & Focals

[@khidu92]

I won't judge you on rubbing audio gear, I do that to my speakers too. *wink wink*

[@Micke65]

Hi there. I got this sacd 30n . No hiss ..its the amp then ?

[@charlesludwig9173]

No 5.1? What’s the point then? It’s 5.1 which distinguishes SACD from virtually all other sources, extending the breadth and depth of the sound stage for a more “immersive” experience. Makes me glad I’ve got an OPPO-205.

[@BOBspellitbkwrdsSMFS]

Sean, Would the Model 30 pair with Tekton Lore reference>

[@Reluctantaudiophile]

Just the other day you were saying SACD is dead, now this?

[@EnemyofCredulity]

Do you still have your Totems? Just curious.

[@benever4319]

What speakers did you listen to it on?

[@sesnuev]

What is the difference between this unit and the ND8006 apart the SACD???

[@SpaceEncounter]

The SACD 30 is pretty much a ND8006 with lipstick on it but at 2x the price!

[@sesnuev]

@@SpaceEncounter Thnx! So at the end, same thing!!! lol

[@SuperGeorge2112]

sound quality this unit is converting what ever you feed it to dsd then sent to the hdam processor for playback, top notch sound.

[@temp7774]

Let me fill-in a streaming part of review 4 U: Q: Does it stream? A: Yes Review done! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ptg01]

Ha3 ! Actually, HEOS is only one of two platforms that integrates Amazon Music as part of its app. The other is Bluesound/NAD BlueOS.... I like the vast selection offered by Amazon Music and the price is right with PRIME membership even though I am sure TIDAL / Qobuz have higher quality audio offerings.

[@bobb.9917]

@@ptg01 why do you think that Tidal or Qobuz has better audio quality?

[@ptg01]

@@bobb.9917 Good question.. I just assumed as when companies talk about streaming online music from a service, you always hear Quobuz / Tidal and the feedback has overall been positive. Amazon Music HD has not had much traction with network streaming hardware providers which is mind boggling to me. I love my Amazon Music HD service. Selection is great. Plus I have a dozen or so Alexa devices scattered around the house that can provide background music all day long !

[@borlach321]

Maybe this would be good with Focal?

[@405line]

Sounds like they tuned the player for use with Class D.

[@cablebrain9691]

Was there an IOTAVX 7 channel amp reviewed here recently, or am I dreaming?

[@Think_Up]

Needs QOBUZ. I bought it but without QOBUZ support I might have to move on.

[@yannick930]

Nice video, after checking the link in the description I'm please to see the network streamer capabilities. Specially Amazon HD, I tried it recently on my computer and it sounded very good. I was looking for streamers capable of streaming amazon music HD. I love Qobuz but it's 25/month when amazon is 15/month. I already have Tidal, youtube,... It's always nice to manage the budget lol

[@yannick930]

*Amazon music ultra HD

[@anthonyanello1244]

Despite the less than lively tonality, what about micro dynamics and energy? I have an older Marantz SA8005 and dynamics and life are its essence, you could not review the piece without mentioning this. I take it the SACD30n is laid back in more than just tonal presentation?

[@fabrized]

I had an sa8005, great machine like you say very lively and engaging, and always regret having traded it in for the nd8006, lifeless and matte sound. sa8005 had way way better sound. Now luckily I have the Denon dcd-110 which is truly outstanding. Also, I just ordered this Marantz because I'm curious about the dsd converter and want to compare to the Denon. I hope it will sound good also as a digital file player.

[@snobi76]

I've been watching your videos when youtube recommends then, haven't been a subscriber. (now I am) Only the Model 30 amp video showed there, not this video. I only knew to come here after your post about it getting very few views.

[@SHENZHENAUDIO]

Any interest in SMSL SU-9? some of your fans wanna see its review from your end. We'd love to cooperate with you as well.

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

When I look at this integrated amp I can't shake the feeling that it is obsolete due to the existence of something like the Buchardt A5.

[@ZeroFidelity]

The A500 is a nice solution for somebody who either doesn't want to mess around with assembling a system, or is highly limited on placement options and needs something that can adjust to the space. For enthusiasts like myself however, building a stereo system piece by piece is more fun and, if you know what you're doing, can yield significantly better sonic results for the same (or less) amount of money.

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

@@ZeroFidelity yes, but with me it is pretty much best sound for the money. And I don't think I can take this amp, add ancillary components, and equal Buchardt A500. I feel it would cost a few thousand more. That's all I'm saying. Perhaps I'm wrong. Two or three thousand dollars more is important to me.

[@marknagel8540]

​@@ZeroFidelity Sean would you recommend the S400 over the A500 if you have very limited placement of the speakers (bookshelf) and speaker size (bookshelf size only)? I don't know what equipment will match and would be guessing at equipment matching so it seems that the A500 would be an excellent choice. Can you attach a Pre-amp to the M500 between the source and the DAC?

[@khalid969]

Thanks for the review. How do you feel about stacking components on top of each other?

[@scottyo64]

That depends greatly on the units. Some can't be stacked due to heat issues, others it's a non issue but I wouldn't stack them more than 2 units together.

[@ZeroFidelity]

It depends entirely on the gear and the design of that gear. I'm OK with it. If you go in that direction, then be sure to put the amp on top so it can receive the best ventilation.

[@zaoria123]

Sound impressions of the SACD player at 6:06

[@kvrhifi]

Streaming is not for convenient . Streaming is to exploring music .. that too with Roon .. another level. We have to give importance to Streamers like CD player and need to invest in high quality streamer.. Computer pc or Mac is not good for higher quality streaming .

[@ZeroFidelity]

I get all of that from my desktop system. Which is (partly) why I feel no need to stream any musical data. No hate to those who do!

[@kvrhifi]

@Zero Fidelity : thanks for reply. As per my experience PC or Mac .. streaming quality is not good. I feel streamers as important as CD player. This is the kind of product I was looking for as I have cd collection and converted into streaming. I just wondering how sound quality between CD playback and streaming , as well as App functionality.. stability

[@alq6356]

Thanks for the great review. Do you think this system is a significant improvement over Marantz pm8006 and Marantz nd8006 pair? Please let me know. Thanks

[@ZeroFidelity]

I hate to say it, but I cannot tell you. I haven't heard the nd8006, let alone coupled with the 8006.

[@medardboss3595]

@@ZeroFidelity Thanks for your interesting review! What do you think, can we expect new reference PM 10 amp in the near future?

[@snobi76]

I really like this new look, I wish i could afford them tho, 5998 € for the stack here in Finland.

[@snobi76]

Well 5000$ for the stack would still be too much. What I mean is this would be in the short list if I was considering buying gear at this level.

[@petrolhead007]

My Arcam fmj dv139 has developed a tray related problem and I understand that it's very common (what a shame for such an expensive piece of kit). Repairs must be very expensive, more than the resale value of the player. I do care about my SACDs. Also for the red book CDs I want a high quality CD player. Conclusion: I'm interested in hearing about high quality SACD/DVD A/CD player. However they must not be as expensive as the Arcam player was. They don't stand the test of time, not worth spending a lot on these players.

[@mikrophonie5633]

Streaming is great...if you like paying a rental fee for your music.

[@t.j.bennett6454]

Ughhhh that Sabrina in the background 🥲🤤

[@juliangst]

Those are gershmans

[@dennis8248]

I think it is the Gershman Grande Avant Garde, and i am looking forward for mr.zero review.

[@t.j.bennett6454]

@@juliangst haha yeah just noticed the top being different. Well im sure he would be happy if they were Sabrina x 😄

[@juliangst]

T.j. Bennett not necessarily, gershman avant- garde are pretty damn good already

[@t.j.bennett6454]

@@juliangst i didnt suggest they weren't. I know Sean has wanted a pair of Wilson's for a while but finances and/or price of soeakers anyway were only thing stopping hin

[@marknagel8540]

Can you recommend / Review CD Transports in the $500-$1,500 range?...Marantz Model 30 System is a bit expensive.

[@bigjay1970]

I just don't understand why a company can't just make a neutral sounding product for a decent price and then sell The Equalizer to do all the things you are talkin about? It seems the eq is just built into the actual product? I really don't understand how all these products sound so different when the role of an amplifier again is just to amplify the signal nothing more nothing less! Isn't that what tone controls are for? Why does one amp have to sound so much different than another amp compared to another amp? Throughout this whole KZbin Journey of mine the last couple of years it really just doesn't make sense? Just buy a very powerful neutral sounding Amp/Pre Amp like it's supposed to be to begin with and if you don't like how it sounds use an equalizer or tone controls.🤪🤪🤪🤪🤯 it seems the same thing with cables. People are using them as tone controls and paying thousands of dollars to do so in some cases?🧐🧐 and I'm absolutely not saying that sean is not hearing these difference in products because he is but that doesn't mean that there should be any differences if manufactured and develop properly again it's an amplifier it's a preamp not a tone control!🥸 Speakers, yes that's the product in the audio chain that should reflect these nuances in sound profile from system to system at least in my opinion.

[@ZeroFidelity]

A few reasons: 1) Achieving absolute electrical neutrality isn't easy when you have to build a multi-featured product to a price point. The closest you'll get to that for the coin is the Benchmark AHB2, and that alone will cost you more money than each individual Model 30 component. 2) Manufacturers figured out (many decade ago) that neutrality means squat if you cant make it sound pleasing to the ears, something that EQ's cannot fix. There are a laundry list of pro amps that could be used as an example. 3) Large(ish) companies like Marantz typically want to stay on-brand by maintaining a house-sound. And lastly and perhaps most importantly: 4) Most BUYING customers don't give one flying F** about neutrality. They are looking to be entertained.

[@jimshaw899]

I sort of agree. Having components with particular individual tonal character really makes the music player puzzle harder to solve. It is the reason broadcast quality components don't have tone controls except at one stage in the chain. (In my player, I employ a Schiit Loki in front of the power amp to iron out wrinkles. It's not perfect, but it's very useful to tame bright or dark speakers, cartridges, and recordings, especially. It's a 'final quality check'.)

[@bigjay1970]

@@ZeroFidelity Thanks for the reply!🤗😇

[@bigjay1970]

@@jimshaw899 🤗😇🤓

[@joacwoot]

Wish it had XLR output....

[@veritas932]

I want a pair of Focal Kanta 3 speakers but I want it to cost no more than $5,000. that's me

[@stevec3526]

I prefer Marantz's previous design aesthetic. The new design aesthetic looks cheap and not well developed. Sort of a geek design aesthetic.

[@johnsweda2999]

You need a dbx 120 subharmonic synthesizer to run your klipsch Heresy give it stronger tighter bass

[@SuperGeorge2112]

The 30n does not use a burr brown dac in any way or form, it uses the Marantz mmm convertor , the unit does not use a traditional dac, which ever signal you feed the 30n it is sent to the mmm processor for conversion to 1 bit dsd file then sent to the hdam output stage for playback , this is a very high quality audio player and goes beyond what the ruby could do, having owned both units I can confirm the 30n is the superior sounding player , hands down. You really need to do proper research when you are commenting on these players, the mere fact you mention a burr brown dac is very misleading. You just do not understand the design of this unit, it also uses a Marantz designed and built sacd drive unit not a philips as you stated. bad review too many mistakes about important facts. for your information the model of the drive used to read sacd and cd is SACDM-3L device developed and produced by Marantz. That unit is so highly regarded it is being used by PS audio as the drive for their new sacd transport !!!

[@ZeroFidelity]

I normally do not see comments come in on old videos, but I caught yours and wanted to respond. You may very well be right, George. I interacted with the brand president and the head engineer for the Model 30 review(s). I was specifically told that the Marantz drive units derive from Philips, which makes complete sense. I mentioned the TI (burr brown) DAC and was never corrected during private discussions nor was I corrected after the review went live. Naturally, I assumed the information to be factual. If the info is wrong, I don't mind apologizing for it. Sometimes these things happen. This is why I often feel like reviewers should __completely__ skip those kind of details and focus on generic feature use cases and performance observations. You can get the detailed info right 9 times outta 10, and nobody cares. Get it wrong once, and you're a dunce that successfully spread misleading info to the public. Anyhoo, thanks for taking the time to share your observations and info.

[@phoenixrising4073]

You don't stream your music!? How is anyone ever going to take you seriously? :D

[@GnosisMan50]

For Christ sake, why is it that when I hear reviews of hi-fi stereo systems, it always fall short of this or that? Why can't Marantz and all the others manufactures ASK what WE, the consumers, want in a stereo system and be done with it? It's confusing as hell trying to make sense of one stereo unit against others, of the constant changes and so called "improvements" that are not so. No matter what you chose, you feel like the unit you bought is compromised in some way unless you spend $$ to buy one that has it all but you can't afford it. How is it possible that the advancements in electrical engineering grows at an exponential rate but we are still suck with stereos systems that far too often leave a lot to be desired in terms of cost and quality? And why would anyone spend, say 10k, on a stereo system if the human ear is not capable of distinguishing it from a unit that cost half that much? It's like buying a very expensive wine and a cheap one. Rest assured, most people would not know which one is which under blindfold.

[@themastroiannis]

your comment caught my attention... i recently bought the Marantz Model 30 and was curious about this review. It is an absolutely fantastic integrated amp! beautiful, refined, dynamic, lots of power, control on bass notes, emotional ! i can't compare it to more expensive models... but have gone through (on the last 5 years) the following amps: Iota SA3, Arcam SA 10, Audiolab 6000A, Cambridge CXA81, Arcam SA20, Creek Destiny.... the difference with ALL of them is huge! My second favorite would be the Audiolab 6000A for its purity of tone. But this Marantz is simply infectious! so much clarity and yet not fatiguing. Huge soundstage. Every single speaker I tried sounded like a new speaker (way better) with this amp. Excellent phono stage as well. For what is worth... very highly recommended.

[@davidsmith9407]

The SACD 30n - DOES NOT - use a Philips disc drive or Burr-Brown DAC chips. It uses a Marantz-proprietary SACDM-3L mechanism and a Marantz-proprietary DAC called Marantz Musical Mastereing (MMM) which uses a 1-bit decoding archetecture. It's embarrassing that you got this important info completely wrong.

[@ZeroFidelity]

The drive was developed in collaboration with Philips many years ago. If you want to split hairs, then sure, it is currently produced by SU in Japan. It is NOT however, their own exclusive design. What I SHOULD have mentioned is that it's one of the last SACD drives still in production. And yes, It's a Burr Brown that they use for their own MMM. I appreciate your passion, but this information comes directly from the horses mouth.

[@mpitogo]

David Smith I have the SA10 and it doesn’t use Burr-Brown chips. the PM-KI Ruby is downstream and also doesn’t use the Burr-Brown chip. No experience with the model 30. The streaming option is cool. I do 90% streaming, n that CD and SACD are totally dead, its more about new music discovering and convenience.

[@GregorMima]

RS-232C lol... guess that´s how up todate that "player" is ... Amused people still using these. Cheers anyway :-) .. Don’t kill the messenger i guess.

[@andrewallison70]

Yeah I was surprised also, for those that don't know, one of its main use was in PC's for connecting a serial mouse, this was when you needed a separate I/O card, before the days of USB and before that PS/2 connections

[@GregorMima]

@@andrewallison70 Well you can use it for software updates (some old 6ch receivers had it), but it´s very old and outdated. Lazy engineering, and on such high end you would expect USB.

[@geoffreyvanhouwaert8677]

You don't stream😳

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

Sadly they rise the price, now $6000k, yes $1000 more, now is overpriced!

[@bigdon3975]

You should thinking about Streaming, it's open a World of musik nearly costless. I think you will Love it.

[@ZeroFidelity]

I already experience that on my desktop system. :)

[@perosa99]

Review of half the unit. How does it perform streaming and playing ripped files...? After all, that is what you are paying for.

[@chrisvst]

Thanks for the review but SACD is passé for me. It never grew into something popular and by now is surpassed by streaming (even CD is , let alone SACD). Yes I know this interview is not about streaming.

[@AidanBelizaire]

Hey amigo! Do you have a business email, please? I'm working with Lake and Lab.gruppen and would love to have a quick chat! Thanks and ace videos amigo!

[@ZeroFidelity]

[e-mail] Cheers!