New Marantz SA-8004 - Page 9

Please keep us posted on your further impressions, especially how the SA-8004 stacks up against the Sony 5400.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DjAmTraX 

Got my SA8004 two days ago. Very impressed with the headphones amp.

Congrats! No unboxing video? 

Several have mentioned that the SA8004 has  better than expected Headphone circuit. Can anyone who has also picked up the PM8004 say how it does with headphones?

Quote:

Originally Posted by runswithaliens 

Several have mentioned that the SA8004 has  better than expected Headphone circuit. Can anyone who has also picked up the PM8004 say how it does with headphones?

I haven't tried it yet, but I'll plug the LCD2s and Pro900s into mine tonight.

Can you tell me wt headphone used for it?

With amp???

The SA8004 is a GREAT player, but the DAC doesn't compare to my Apogee Mini-DAC in terms of sonics.  The Apogee has much better dynamics.

Have you tried A-B comparing the SA8004 direct vs SPIDIF out to the Apogee or did you compare them using different sources?

Quote:

Originally Posted by obzilla 

Have you tried A-B comparing the SA8004 direct vs SPIDIF out to the Apogee or did you compare them using different sources?

I used Optical input on both units from Mac Mini.

Can anyone give me a few impressions about a couple of things?

First of all...Does the HO give enough power to the LCD 2s to satisfy volume wise?

Secondly...had anyone used this unit as a USB DAC? I know you can...but how is it? 

I'm considering it as a purchase to hold me over and use it as a jumping off point for my new high end set up.

I have the previous version SA-8003 which drives the LCD-2 reasonably well but if I want loud then I go to my dedicated headphone amp.  So basically I can push the volume all the way up on the 8003 and not have the LCD-2 hurt my ears.  Probably with other less-power hungry headphones I would reach that pain threshold.  I can check the loudness this weekend and maybe add some actual numerical dB to the 8003 headphone out.  Whether or not they gave the 8004 more output power I don't know, we can check the manufacturer's specs.  If I had to everything over again, I might go SA-8004 + headphone amp and be done, no need for a dedicated high-end standalone DAC for my computer.  That's how much I like the 8003 DAC with CDs and based on opinions in this thread the 8004 is no slouch.  
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

Can anyone give me a few impressions about a couple of things?

 

First of all...Does the HO give enough power to the LCD 2s to satisfy volume wise?

 

Secondly...had anyone used this unit as a USB DAC? I know you can...but how is it? 

 

I'm considering it as a purchase to hold me over and use it as a jumping off point for my new high end set up.

I've had the SA-8004 for almost a year and just tried the LCD-2 on the headphone out. I don't listen loud so for me it gets to listening level at about half way on the volume pot and all the way up is outside my  comfort zone. To me the sound quality isn't bad for a built in headphone socket but a decent external amp will definitely improve on it.  Since I have other amps, I never use the built in headphone output but it's probably serviceable to get started with.
 

Unfortunately the USB input on this thing is a convenience feature at best and I personally think it sounds awful. The other digital inputs sound much better but you need to use an external USB/Firewire converter of some type and better quality converters will make a difference here. 

Given your stated goal this is likely a very good option to build around. The fact it serves as a SACD/CD player and external DAC for the price is a great value even if the built in USB is a throw away. You might find the USB passable as a starting point but I'd look quickly at getting a different interface. Even something relatively inexpensive like a Firestone Bravo is a substantial improvement over the built in USB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

Can anyone give me a few impressions about a couple of things?

 

First of all...Does the HO give enough power to the LCD 2s to satisfy volume wise?

 

Secondly...had anyone used this unit as a USB DAC? I know you can...but how is it? 

 

I'm considering it as a purchase to hold me over and use it as a jumping off point for my new high end set up.

I think I could live with the mediocre USB for at least a little while. I've had my eye on this unit for quite some time and depending on my finical situation over the next week or so it might be time to finally pick one up. 

Will want an SACD player end game but I will probably just use it as a transport at the end of the road. As of now there are quite a few DACs and amps I'm considering, but there's not a lot of options for SACD players out there at a reasonable price. Especially not with the USB feature (throw away as it may be). 

Upgrade path might look something like this...

SA8004 (DAC/Transport) + Pioneer 255R (Amp)

SA8004 (DAC/Transport) + Liquid Fire (Amp)

SA8004 (Transport) + DA-11 (Or one of the million other DACs I'm considering) + Liquid Fire (Amp)

The Pioneer is horribly bright but has built in EQ that doesn't sound bad at all...so it's passable for now.

Thanks for the info, guys.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstaken 

I've had the SA-8004 for almost a year and just tried the LCD-2 on the headphone out. I don't listen loud so for me it gets to listening level at about half way on the volume pot and all the way up is outside my  comfort zone. To me the sound quality isn't bad for a built in headphone socket but a decent external amp will definitely improve on it.  Since I have other amps, I never use the built in headphone output but it's probably serviceable to get started with.
 

Unfortunately the USB input on this thing is a convenience feature at best and I personally think it sounds awful. The other digital inputs sound much better but you need to use an external USB/Firewire converter of some type and better quality converters will make a difference here. 

 

Given your stated goal this is likely a very good option to build around. The fact it serves as a SACD/CD player and external DAC for the price is a great value even if the built in USB is a throw away. You might find the USB passable as a starting point but I'd look quickly at getting a different interface. Even something relatively inexpensive like a Firestone Bravo is a substantial improvement over the built in USB.