Rega Saturn, wide spread problems or no?

[stick]

Hi all

Haven't posted for a while, but the money has been saving up, and thanks to my last freelance contract, I have enough to pay for a Rega Saturn. So I was just looking around some websites for reviews and I came to this one I hoping those of you out there can help me out. Rega Saturn's price tag is the most I'm willing to pay, but I certainly don't want to fork it out if this is a wide spread problem. Should I be looking for alternatives? Should I be checking build dates? Is there anyway to check if a problem exists before getting the player? I suppose I should qualify all this with what gear I'm using... AKG 701's HeadRoom's Max Desktop Amp and Power supply, music tastes are all over the map.

I would really like to hear from any or all of you, is this a wide spread problem? Has Rega fixed it? Many Thanks for any and all information.

Stick

[Clarity]

If true this is very disappointing because I have narrowed my search down to two sources........either the Rega Saturn or the Marantz SA-11S2.

The Rega is supposedly the player to beat in its' price range and that are good deals on used units at audiogon. Now I'm starting to wonder if people are selling due to problems.

[Morph201]

I don't know of any widespread issues with Rega gear. One thing that did occur was with the early batches of Apollo's, I believe the first year or so, but that has since been corrected.

It's hard to determine if the problems people are experiencing now are due to "user error". Both the Apollo and Saturn take some time to "initiliase" (determine level of error correction) a disc, and some people are impatient and continously hit the play button which might cause hiccups down the line; or the skipping around of tracks (which hasn't been an issue for me).
Some people claim issues with reading certain types of discs.

I highly doubt Rega's problem rate is higher than any other CDP manufacturer (i.e. ARCAM,Cambridge Audio, etc...)

I've auditioned the Apollo and Saturn, at home and didn't experience ANY issues. I wound up buying the Apollo and haven't had any problems with it at all.

Now I'm starting to wonder if people are selling due to problems.

I wouldn't worry about that, I see a ton of 840c's and Ayre CX7e's for sale too..

[Clarity]

Originally Posted by Morph201

I don't know of any widespread issues with Rega gear. One thing that did occur was with the early batches of Apollo's, I believe the first year or so, but that has since been corrected.

It's hard to determine if the problems people are experiencing now are due to "user error". Both the Apollo and Saturn take some time to "initiliase" (determine level of error correction) a disc, and some people are impatient and continously hit the play button which might cause hiccups down the line; or the skipping around of tracks (which hasn't been an issue for me).
Some people claim issues with reading certain types of discs.

I highly doubt Rega's problem rate is higher than any other CDP manufacturer (i.e. ARCAM,Cambridge Audio, etc...)

I've auditioned the Apollo and Saturn, at home and didn't experience ANY issues. I wound up buying the Apollo and haven't had any problems with it at all.



I wouldn't worry about that, I see a ton of 840c's and Ayre CX7e's for sale too..

Thanks for clearing this up. I did a search for Rega Saturn on this board and everyone speaks highly of this player. Aestetically I prefer the Marantz unit but looks aren't everything I know both players are really good but I'm sure the Saturn, at a much lower price point, should fulfill my needs. I would love to hear some impressions from those that heard both players.

[909]

the first production apollos had problems, which REGA remedied early on before the release of the saturn. i owned both for nearly a year and they worked perfectly without incident. there are dealers knocking 25% off retail, so it might be worth it to buy new, if you can get a great deal.

[Gradofan2]

Originally Posted by Clarity

Thanks for clearing this up. I did a search for Rega Saturn on this board and everyone speaks highly of this player. Aestetically I prefer the Marantz unit but looks aren't everything I know both players are really good but I'm sure the Saturn, at a much lower price point, should fulfill my needs. I would love to hear some impressions from those that heard both players.

I'm not sure what you think was "cleared up?" I've seen multiple reports on the internet of problems with these CDPs, that have not yet been resolved by Rega - notably the one in the OP below.

DAGOGO Commentary: Reconsideration of Rega Saturn

So... if you decide to "take the chance" you'd better be sure you get the "extended warranty" and buy it with a credit card that doubles the warranty... and... ideally pay the price premium to get it from a reliable dealer that will take it back and refund your money, if you have problems (e.g. Galen Carol Audio in San Antonio - Galen Carol Audio: Digital).

But... with the devalued dollar... you're paying a "heck of a premium" for products that sound no better than others at much lesser prices.

[Morph201]

Originally Posted by Gradofan2

I'm not sure what you think was "cleared up?" I've seen multiple reports on the internet of problems with these CDPs, that have not yet been resolved by Rega - notably the one in the OP below.

DAGOGO Commentary: Reconsideration of Rega Saturn

So... if you decide to "take the chance" you'd better be sure you get the "extended warranty" and buy it with a credit card that doubles the warranty... and... ideally pay the price premium to get it from a reliable dealer that will take it back and refund your money, if you have problems (e.g. Galen Carol Audio in San Antonio - Galen Carol Audio: Digital).

But... with the devalued dollar... you're paying a "heck of a premium" for products that sound no better than others at much lesser prices.

Doug Schroeder seems to be on a holy crusade, for whatever reason. I saw his EXTENSIVE posting on audiogon, and other sites concerning this issue. Most of the "problem" reports are between him and another chap... hardly a "widespread" problem. Check out eCoustics.com - Consumer electronics product reviews, news, articles, forums and price comparisons also, and tell me how many "problem" posts you see there. It doesn't seem that Rega has an "above average" defective rate compared to any other "higher end" cdp maker. If you need to see stats, contact Sound Organization, based in TX., the US distributor for Rega, they will have that information.

Like I said, I had used Rega products without any issue, maybe I'm in the "lucky" group.


Also, what is this statement: "you're paying a "heck of a premium" for products that sound no better than others at much lesser prices." based upon?

The Saturn sounds EXTREMELY better than say an NAD c542 or ARCAM CD73t (lower priced items)... Even the difference between the highly touted 840c and Saturn is noticeable... IMHO with the edge going to the Saturn.

Best thing is to bite the bullet and buy from a reputable dealer, after auditioning of course, we all hear different.

[tyrion]

I've listened to a Saturn the past few days and it is a wonderful cdp at the retail price. I've been nothing but impressed with the quality of music production it generates. The one I've heard has been a demo in a store for a number of months and has not had a single issue.

[stick]

many thanks for your comments, I finally had a chance to audition the saturn with my headroom desktop max amp and was very impressed with the analogue style sound it played, it almost sounded like a record! As soon as my freelance check clears I think I'll order one from my local dealer. He mentioned if there was a problem that it would be shipped back and a new one sent out. Seeing as this is a 3000 CAN piece of equipment, that means a lot to me. Oh, and then he put my monster interconnects to shame by bringing out a set that cost 300 dollars for .5 meter. *sigh* It is the only time I've ever heard a difference via cable. Best start saving for those too.

Cheers and thanks again
stick

[HiWire]

What kind of cables were they?