Rega Saturn: What are its weaknesses compared to expensive players?

[daltonlanny]

I have read alot about the sonic strengths of the Rega Saturn and a few rave reviews by owners and reviewers, but have not been able to find hardly anything about its sonic weaknesses compared to exotic, high dollar cd players.
So now, to those who have compared their high dollar, high-end cd players to the Rega Saturn, or Saturn owners who have compared their Saturn to much more exotic, and expensive players:
What are the Saturns biggest sonic weaknesses? What will more money buy, sonically, that the Saturn does not achieve, or does not achieve as well as the more expensive and exotic cd players?
As always, thanks guys!

 

[wower]

Yeah. Can it scoop out the lowest lows? Are its highs airy?

 

[tourmaline]

maybe there isn't really that much to gain over the rega saturn?! Only if you pay top dollar, like 25000 and 50000 dollars for dcs and esoteric systems.

Changes in 2000-5000 are very small.

 

[wower]

It has always been my opinion that around the $5000 mark differences in CDP sonic preferences are more important than SQ.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Can someone who owns an Opus CD21, Esoteric X-03 or high end Meridian unit please go listen to a Saturn and then give us their opinion.

 

[chesebert]

lack of balanced out and wclock out.

I doubt Rega will put balanced on anything since they 'don't believe in balanced'

 

[guzziguy]

You might want to send a PM to David (909). He went from a Saturn to a Reimyo. If you search this forum, you should be able to find the thread where he described the process. From memory, at first he didn't think that there was that much of a difference and after listening for some time, thought that the difference was huge.

 

[drarthurwells]

One glaring weakness.

The Saturn is way underpriced.

People think more highly of it if it costs $5,000 or more.

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells /img/forum/go_quote.gif One glaring weakness. The Saturn is way underpriced. People think more highly of it if it costs $5,000 or more.

Well stated and so true.

 

[Icarium]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif lack of balanced out and wclock out. I doubt Rega will put balanced on anything since they 'don't believe in balanced'

Ridiculous. I'm absolutely unwilling to spend more than 1200 on a source unless it also has true balanced output. That and if it is not a DAC, I expect it to do at least sacd if not dvd-a as well.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icarium /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ridiculous. I'm absolutely unwilling to spend more than 1200 on a source unless it also has true balanced output. That and if it is not a DAC, I expect it to do at least sacd if not dvd-a as well.

i wouldn't even spend that.

 

[NMyTree]

It's interesting that most I talk to say Balanced outs are usless and have no benefits whatsoever, unless you'e running your interconnects over 30 feet.

But I guess it comes down to a matter of personal taste.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i wouldn't even spend that.

You know you would if you could, too.

 

[Icarium]

Yeah there are both sides of the fence on that topic. My experience is that with certain headphones balanced makes a huge difference (HD650s/K701s). Others believe its snakeoil and there is no difference. Some feel that balanced is different but at best equal or some feel that it is even worse that single ended.

Either way, If I'm going to spend ~2k on a player or more I'd like it to have the option for the unit to output both so I myself can choose or mix it up when I am bored with one particular sound. Or even if I can't hear a difference I have it there for peace of mind so I can always remind myself that balanced is a pointless upgrade direction.

And also i think support for the other formats is important. I mean different story would be if the Saturn was sooo awesome with redbook that it just crushed all other players in redbook and you mostly listen to redbook anyway, then maybe it makes sense, but... really I don't even think its redbook performance is much better and frankly to my tastes it's really not even all that good... so... why rule out other formats? I think there's an opportunity cost sacrifice being made.

Then again if you love the sound and that's the only sound you really want, then really there are no weaknesses to the Saturn... for you.

 

[Icarium]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy /img/forum/go_quote.gif You know you would if you could, too.

What? Guy has a G08 and an Apache. Both pieces of equipment that I would never spend money on, but both are worth fairly big chunks of money and the G08 is just more expensive than a Saturn and does balanced output though not sacd/dvd-a... so... if he could? He could have very well have if he wanted to, but he choose to go with the G08 instead.