Ok,
after extensive comparisons all day long between the Marantz CD5001 and Marantz SA8001, using a HeadAmp GS-1, Sennheiser HD650/Equinox, AKG K701, and Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones, here are the results:
Bottom Line:
If you listen mainly to CD's only, get the CD5001, and save some money.
If you listen to CD's and SACD's get the SA8001.
My Findings:
I already own a Sony DVD/SACD megachanger, so SACD is not that important to me. The Marantz is slightly superior to the Sony on SACD, however.
On CD playback the 5001 offers roughly 98% of the performance of the 8001!
The main difference on CD is the output level through the RCA outs.
The 8001 definitely has a higher output level, and therefore sounds more impressive at any given volume than the 5001...that is until you match the levels!
With the levels matched, they are extremely close, and in certain aspects the CD performance of the 5001 may even be superior!
As for differences, the 8001
might have
slightly more extended and powerful bass, but I am not 100% sure. The 8001 has
slightly more resolution than the 5001, but not enough to be concerned about.
The sound also has just a tad more body and fullness, but again, not enough to be concerned about.
Again, in certain aspects, I actually like the sound of the 5001 slightly better.
The 8001 is slightly warmer and darker than the 5001, but, there is also a certain glare or forwardness to the sound that I have not cottoned to yet.
Because of this slight glare or forwardness I actually prefer the 5001 with the AKG K701 and Beyer DT880.
The 5001 sounds ever-so-slightly more extended on top than the 8001.
Believe it or not, but I actually find my toes tapping and getting drawn into the music more with the 5001 than the 8001 at this point!
I also prefer the 5001 for its more compact size and lighter weight. It is much easier to place and move around.
You can also scan through a song with fast forward alot quicker on the 5001, and the display on the 5001 is bigger, and brighter.
The 8001 is built like a tank, and is very immune to vibrations of any kind.
It is also quite better looking than the 5001. The SACD performance is really excellent in my opinion!
The headphone jacks are pretty similar. The jack on the 5001 is just a slight bit brighter than the one on the 8001. The output levels on both jacks is almost equal, so is the maximum output level.
They are really good at driving the Sennheisers, and will drive them quite loud and with some authority, not that great at driving the Beyers, and neither is good at driving the AKG's, IMHO.
With the Sennheisers, I prefer the 5001 jack. They are about equal on the Beyers.
Again, neither jack is that good with the AKG K701's, but atleast the one on the 8001 has a little bass when driving them! The 5001 jack pretty much sucks driving them...no bass, thin, and bright.
Now, I cannot decide which of these players I want to keep!
They both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Decisions, decisions!