Rega Saturn...First impressions:

[daltonlanny]

I have some good news and some bad news:
First, the good news: I received my Rega Saturn yesterday and its been burning in ever since.
The bad news: I am not that impressed with it as of yet.
At this point, I like the sound of my Marantz SA8001 better, believe it or not, especially using my new Signal Cable Silver Resolution Reference Interconnects from the Marantz SA8001 to my HeadAmp GS-1 headphone amp!
The Saturn is warmer, smoother, and more laid-back than the Marantz, and has slightly tighter and better defined bass. Vocal reproduction is also slightly better. It also has a slighter blacker background at this point.
But, the Saturn also sounds "sugar-coated" and "soft around the edges", in the mids and highs and lacks the attack transient response of the Marantz.
The Marantz sounds bigger, deeper, more detailed, open, more extended in the highs, faster, punchier, and has better body on pianos and violins than the Saturn at this point.
The Marantz is very slightly more forward, more strident, and just a touch edgier than the Saturn, but its detail, clarity, and the organic body of certain insruments is very addictive indeed.
Considering the huge price difference, the Saturns stellar reputation, and the rave reviews from owners and reviewers, I was expecting the Saturn to be quite a big step-up sonically from the Marantz, but its NOT, at least not right now, IMHO.
If I did not own the Marantz SA8001, I imagine that I would be blown away by the Saturn, but the Marantz is a really great sounding unit, and holds its own very well indeed, at least at this point in time.
I am having high hopes that my Saturn will show big improvements between now and the end of next week. If it does not, I guess I will keep the Marantz.

 

[islewind]

The Marantz 8001 is no slouch of a player.

 

[daltonlanny]

I agree...
Not to put too much weight or faith in reviews, but the unit that the SA8001 replaced, the Marantz SA8260, received a CLASS A rating and a $$$ sign from Stereophile, and stayed there until it was discontinued.
The Marantz SA8001 is supposed to be even better than the SA8260, with higher grade parts, a better power supply, and a much better transport, etc.

 

[HumanMedia]

Give the Saturn 200-400 hours. I felt it was missing something in the mids until it had 400 hours on it. And make sure to give it 20 mins warm up from turning it on. In fact just keep the thing turned on.

 

[daltonlanny]

I sure hope so.
I will be very patient and give it 2 or 3 weeks of continuous play time and see what happens...
Opinions: What part or parts inside the Rega Saturn take 200 to 400 hours to burn-in?
Is it best to use music or pink noise to break the unit in?
Thanks.

 

[Spareribs]

Do not underestimate the powers of Marantz!

ok, a little while back, there was a poster who stated that spending up to $3,000 or maybe more will not give significant improvements in CD performance.

Your best bet is to get a decent turntable for something of an improvement or spend $8,000 or more for one of those monster hi fi CD players.

Vinyl is probably your solution and it's affordable

 

[909]

I've had similar experiences going from the E5 to the Apollo and with other components and sources. Things need time to come into focus so they're fully appreciated and understood. Regardless of what decision you ultimately arrive at down the listening road, it takes time to get there. Give the Saturn at least 350 hours playing music. Additionally your mind and ears need to adjust to the new component and for each listener it's different, usually at minimum a 100 hours, if not a bit more. The Saturn may or may not be for you, yet don't cut it short.

 

[HiWire]

Good luck. Please continue to post your listening impressions if possible.

 

[Redo]

SA8001 is a beast

 

[Icarium]

ha ha. Maybe it will improve.

 

[Asr]

So you went ahead and got a Saturn eh? Thanks for the impressions, I was wondering if you were going to make the jump or not. Based on the reviews I've read of other Rega machines, I think what you've found with the Saturn generally applies to other Rega units. I agree with the others, give it more time - even if you don't come to like it, it will at least give you more insight on what your sound is and allow you to refine your tastes. It's all a part of the journey.

 

[zotjen]

Well, I don't have a Saturn but as others said, give it time to burn in. What exactly were you expecting right out of the box? Also, it appears you've gone through quite a few CDP's over the past couple of months. I don't mean to be facetious, but I'm wondering if you've really spent enough time with all of them to fully evaluate their sound signatures. It's as if you're not quite sure what you're looking for. What was it about the SA8001 that you didn't like and thought the Saturn could improve upon?

 

[wower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spareribs /img/forum/go_quote.gif Vinyl is probably your solution and it's affordable

In my experience a CD based system is much more afforable. I had a budget vinyl rig that I disassembled for lack of use. CD in this price bracket gets one a much better return. Vinyl rigs only start to sound really great far into the multple thousands of dollars.

Back to the OP:
To me the attrabutes you are describling is Rega's attempt to make a vinyl sounding CDP. What do you think of that theory Saturn owners?????

P.S. I am very happy with my SA7001!

 

[Spareribs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wower /img/forum/go_quote.gif In my experience a CD based system is much more afforable. Vinyl rigs only start to sound really great far into the multple thousands of dollars.

Ok, if you say so.

 

[bhd812]

you should give this player a few weeks of listening to let you and the player settle with eachother. then after a few weeks go back to the source you used before, if your not impressed with the Staurn then sell it at that point.

its easy for the us to not really notice anything upfront and fast on some things. when i first got my g08 i didnt go "omg!!!" but instead i went back to the nad 542 and realized what i was hearing before my few weeks with my g08 that was so much different then the 542.

you'll notice sonics come out little at a time..but over time.

sometimes we get so worked up on a new piece of gear we need to calm down before anything snaps into play.

She is a great machine, give her some time.

also as far as burn in just play any cd 24/7...