Thank you Newbee for letting me know about the "no standby light on the Marantz SA11S3. The Marantz is so quiet and efficient. When the Marantz SA11S3 is in the stanby mode not even .1 wattage registers on my BMI power line conditioner. Only 3 watts registers when in play mode. The Marantz SA11S3 is definitely the most efficient green energy player out there in the audio world.

The only complaint I have about the Marantz SA11S3 is wish it had a stanby light because it's so damm quiet I forget if it's on standby or powered down. "It's a small complaint to live with considering this great player.

Loving my Marantz SA11S3. Super smooth and never bright sounding.

Currently own several different one box SACD/CD players and my Marantz SA11S3 sounds the most natural in vocals and instruments. Comparing it to my Esoteric K01 I prefer the Marantz SA11S3 for long listening sessions. The K01 is a superb player but I find it to bee too bright and analytical at times. So I started swapping power cables on my players.

I swapped my BMI Oceanic Rhodium power cable on the Marantz SA11S3 and put it on the Esoteric K01 and waalaaah, pow, zzzzzoomm, instant tame on the K01 and now I can listen long sessions without fatigue. I put the BMI Oceanic Gold on the Marantz SA11S3 and instant more soundstage and dynamics.

To this day I can't believe on how much of a power cable impacts the sound of my equipment. That is why I love this hobby so much because you are always learning and amazed on what you hear with moving around a few power cables in my audio systems.

joefama January 17, 2015 23:04

Joe, there is no standby light that I'm aware of. Interestingly, even when it has been in 'standby' for a while, it requires some warm up time to reach its optimum performance, so I'm not sure how much leaving it in standby mode actually improves its performance. But just to hedge my bet I leave it on 24/7. I agree it is an excellent unit.

newbee December 09, 2014 16:11

I just received by brand new Marantz SA11S3 Sacd/cd player.
Love the way it sounds with the warmth and absolutely zero digital fatigue. Compared to the Estoeric players I have owned the Marantz SA11 S3 is hands down the best sounding cd player I have owned.

Question to current Marantz SA11S3 owners ?

In Standby mode ? I notice there is no light or indicator to let you know. Is there a light that turns on while in standby mode ? While in standby mode it is dead silent but no light to let me know that I left it in standby mode.

joefama November 16, 2014 15:38

System edited: System Overhaul. New - Primaluna Dialogue integrated amps replaced Cayin amps which failed and could not be repaired due to lack of parts/support from distributor or manufacturer. Actually the Dialogues are superior anyway. Added the Marantz SACD CDP. A major improvement in dynamics in both SACD and RB.

newbee June 29, 2013 17:31

System's changed some since I last posted on it. FWIW it is now the Marantz SA11S3, a Wadia 302, and a Raysonic 128, into a Cayin A100T integrated amp, driving the Silverline Boleros.

Thanks for reminding me - sooner or later I'll get the real job done and post everything, maybe even pictures. :-)

newbee January 04, 2013 00:01

Come on Newbee....we need pics and a mini review of your new Marantz. Congrats!

milpai January 03, 2013 23:51

System edited: Edit/Update See above comments under list of components.

newbee February 06, 2011 22:26

System edited: Dug this old Mesa Baron out of the closet. With a tube and IC change it matches well with my Pre-amp. I'm now considering how to get better resolution from the pre-amp without giving up its tonal signature and dynamics', i.e. get better resolution.

newbee October 18, 2010 19:05

System edited: I inherrited an unused Denon TT so before I blessed it on Goodwill I thought I'd set it up and listen to it using my ARC SP10 as a phono stage. I was surprised by its competetence but was unimpressed with the cartridge so I dropped in my Mico Benz Glider and, while not approaching SOTA in any way it was nice enough to leave up and occasionally listen to old LP's and give me something to play with (the phono stage) in my spare time. Good enuf for now though and I occaasionally like those old LP's (and I'm amazed to see what folks ask for these in the for sale section. I'm Rich!)

But, what evolved was totally unexpected. I'd been using the Raysonic and Wadia direct into the Cayin Integrated or through a different pre-amp (Primaluna 3) to good results but unfortunately, although the soundstaging and specificity of image, including depth, was excellent direct into the Cayin, or smooth with the Primaluna, it was not as 'natural' as I would have liked it to be. In other words when listening to music my attention was often drawn to the audio effects more so than the music (wow, what great depth of image, so specific! etc etc).

Out of curiosity I re-installed my BAT DK5 into the SP10, and connected the SP10 direct to the amp. This has taken me to a level of appreciation that leaves me sitting in the chair thinking, rhetorically I believe (and hope), now how could I improve on that.

Technically speaking, I could have said 'improve resolution - the ultimate depth of soundstage could be slightly better'. BUT the sound was so natural, warm w/o dullness, resolved/transparent with out brightness, and engaging, and nothing detracting from the soundstage effect, that I answered my rhetorical question - nothing!

So I'm in hog heaven, I think. :-) For now at least.

FWIW one of the really important changes I noted was the dynamics obtained from using the SP10 the degree of which was absent from either the connection of sources to the amps passive line stage or thru the Primaluna.

newbee May 02, 2010 19:46

System edited: System edit. Just noticed I didn't include my PL3 tube pre-amp with which I drive the Cayin. I do not use the Cayin as an integrated. Sounds much better connected direct to a pre-amp I think.

newbee January 29, 2010 21:58

Hey Newbee,

Effusive thanks for you contributions...in my book - you're no "Newbee" in audio! :-)

Best regards,
Sam

c1ferrari January 13, 2010 03:16

System edited: System edit - lots of stuff put back in the closet for a rainy day. I'm now down to the essentials and enjoying the music. I'll stick around the forum to help folks when I can but I'm done now with my stuff.

newbee December 31, 2009 23:35

Problem solved... Looking through my owner's manual for my dbx EQ that my above mentioned system uses, I realized that there is also a "Tape Input," which I have now used for the phono stage input. This bypasses the tube linestage that I use for the CD player. So Viola! I now have both my CD source and my vinyl playback system working to their full potential in the same system.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

plato November 26, 2009 20:41

Newbee,

Seems that you are having a lot of fun in your audio travels and experiments, and that is how it should be. :)

I notice you keep thinking about whether or not to go back into analog. My biggest vexation over the last decade (or more) has been getting the best out of my vinyl and digital systems within the same system. Usually I get one to sound excellent at the expense making a small compromise in the sound of the other.

I now have a setup that sounds great with the phono stage going direct into the amp... but of course the CD source sounds best by adding the tube line stage first. I'll have to experiment more because as it is now, for the best sound I must plug in each front end separately, which is kind of a pain in the neck.

BTW... it looks like you may have outgrown the name "Newbee."

Anyway, Happy Listening, and Happy Thanksgiving!

plato November 26, 2009 06:18

System edited: Replaced my Accuphase 101 with a 100T. Much better bass and a little better reception. Re-introduced my old CAL digital set - love it playing jazz CD's and some solo piano recordings. More forward than other digital stuff. Re-introduced my old BAT CDP which is now very synergistic with my re-tubed and greatly re-thought out Cayin A100T. I now have an amp with a triode output stage option that has real bass balls, rich midrange and some sparkle. Lots of 3 dimensional imaging as well which did not exist as previously configured. This is fun. I'm looking at my old analogue stuff and having a fantasy about what I could do with them. :-)

newbee November 17, 2009 23:46

"I think it may be unfortunate that you have not actually heard them and seem to have based your opinion/critique on published tests and specs (which may not even be current)."

yes its only theoretical thoughts,i have never heard this speakers. however in my studio (where i know room acoustic) I can draw frequency response from ears and its not very far from measurements. actualy strange that I am on another side of front - as for myself i also prefer uncomon desisions speaker designing. speakers like older revels or jm labs always sounds boring to me,inspite they have well of axis behaviuor, good power handling. on the other side some of other manufacturers (like older kharma kharma, newer wilson audio)have some diferent points of wiew to sound and sounds way too diferent,usualy strenghts of this speakers(except tonality) are no to heard in demo show rooms with not right setup. but still i want flat measurement at least +-3db. this 3db can be tuned for specific things,for example some soft domes like ring ring radiators (most sonus faber speakers) must have lifting response as flat they will sound dull, while some titanium tweters should be shelved to ensure the same subjective tonality. the same aplies to bass(softer cones with more low order discortions can be tuned to leanier sound, while hard type cones with low low orders dicortions should have lift to ensure warm tonality) but mainly its +-2db not more.

as for speakers measurements it common to measure it on axis or slight of horizontal axis but almost always vertical axis are specided at ears height.of course mooving up and down we can change response by changing time domain(diferent time to reach signal to ear)

when I will pass arround theese speakers i would listen.at least for curiosity. and you have great system anyway. greets.

elviukai April 06, 2009 14:39

"I think where we part is I no longer worship flat frequency response as the main attribute of sound reproduction as I have in the past, and believe there are other things far more important (to me) EVEN if they are nothing more than, thru component synergy, achieving a sound that pleasures my own (or someone else's) ears"

Agree 100%.

There are so many ways to enjoy a good system. How less interesting would it would be if all systems sounded the same?

mapman April 05, 2009 22:45

Elviukai, I spent over 20 years trying to find speakers that provided flat frequency response, some even that were +/- 2db accross the spectrum and I've driven them with some fine and complimentary amps, both SS and tubed. The list of speakers and amps is long.

I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, spent a lot of money, yet never reached a point where I could just listen thru all of the audio effects and hear just the musical content.

I too value tonality and soundstage specificity. I think where we part is I no longer worship flat frequency response as the main attribute of sound reproduction as I have in the past, and believe there are other things far more important (to me) EVEN if they are nothing more than, thru component synergy, achieving a sound that pleasures my own (or someone else's) ears.

BTW, FWIW, whether the Bolero's have a 10db dip, or not, might depend on whether you are measuring on axis, 15 degrees off azis, or 30 degrees off axis, and even then compared to what reference frequency. I think in actual use the dip is more like 6db if you accept measurements made in an anechoic chamber. I have come to believe, and have too often experienced, that some speakers which measure flat actually produce an un-natural sound. Unfortunately this is often aggrevated by the flood of electronic's manufacturers who were eager to enhance the appearance of resolution and staging by increasing the FR levels in the upper mids and highs.

We do agree on one thing though, and it is something about these speakers that is outstanding even if you don't like the balance, the Esotar tweeter is IMHO as good as I have ever heard.

I think it may be unfortunate that you have not actually heard them and seem to have based your opinion/critique on published tests and specs (which may not even be current).

I hope you have been successful in achieving your goals in setting up your system as I have.

newbee April 05, 2009 21:46

I am trying look to speakers from enginiering side- the have huge dip at 3khz(-10db) it not shelved down like bbc target(-3-4db from 100hz to 12khz) but its dip.
I have spent listening way too much speakers but still i prefer soundstage,tonality and other things to get naturaly, without coloration. all speakers behaviuor can change in diferent rooms but mainly we are spaking about 45- 300hz area. not 1-12khz luckily here is dynaudio esotar which is one of the best soft domes arround..

elviukai April 05, 2009 18:53

"Very distant perspective without any hint of harshness"

I can see why some folks might feel that way, especially those accoustomed to horns. And I do believe there is a slight upper mid-range dip (ala the famous BBC dip). But the dip does not produce a 'very' distant prospective (compared to other panel and box speakers I have) and there is no sense of HF roll off, in fact what impresses me most about these speakers is that they have a very high level of resolution which is obtained with no listening fatigue what so ever. I read all that was available before I bought them, listened to them at Silverlines, but was still not prepared for their excellence in my home. My listening room is small to medium sized (13x19x9) so I sit fairly close to the speakers to minimize room reflections effects where other flat FR speakers become very problematic and component selection becomes critical. If I had a really large room I might feel differently.

I think if your core priority is listening to music, especially unamplified music, these speakers should not be missed. But speaking of 'sound', that level of resolution really is addictive. :-)

newbee April 04, 2009 13:22

nice permuttation,and.....considering all the front end stuff, it seam sometimes as if speakers/players standing in my lap or neerbye.That''s the last time my ears stand on end. thanks to cork..

twoleftears April 04, 2009 12:18

nice sytem, but ..well i have for the first time seems something like this on speakers FR.. I believe speakers sound very distant perspective without any hint of harshness isnt it?

elviukai April 04, 2009 06:21

System edited: I think I've exhausted all of the permutations of equipment I have on hand. I now have two systems preceding the same speakers. One for casual long term daily use, the Wadia/Primaluna 3/5, and one for a somewhat more romantic (and dynamic) sound, the Cayin and Raysonic. If the stock market ever comes back I think about a replacement for the PL amp, but I'm sure done for now.

newbee March 07, 2009 17:58

Samhar, I'm eliminating anything that induces me make choices. Thats why I put the Cayin/Raysonic away. Every time I put on a CD I'd have to decide whether it would sound best in upsampling or 16bit, or I'd have to listen in triode or pentode or some combo of both. Nothing wrong with either or the combo actually. If it was the best I could do with my budget I could be happy. Now for allday/everyday I enjoy my cheapo PL1 with my Accuphase tuner and my Wadia CDP. For special listening I go to my BAT and PL3 and PL5. Life is so much simpler now and I listen to more music and less 'audio'. I just mailed back my 'audiophile membership card'! :-)

newbee November 15, 2008 01:37

Wow the heard has been thinned!!

samhar November 15, 2008 00:46