M is for M******! (Marantz Model 30 + SACD 30n review)

This video is brought to you by AudioQuest:

🎥 Camera #1: John Darko
🎥 Camera #2: Jack Kaminski
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan

0.00 Intro
1:31 Welcome back, everybody
4:01 Pay attention to what's coming
7:50 A game of two halves
12:23 Do you have a hi-fi rack?

👉🏻 As seen in this video...

Marantz Model 30

Marantz SACD 30n

Lyngdorf TDAI-3400

Lyngdorf CD-2

Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3

Zu Soul 6

Bluesound NODE (2021)

SolidSteel hi-fi rack

#marantz #audiophile #hifi
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[MrJohn-yzpx]

Great and accurate review. I’m a happy owner of the Marantz stack. As an aside, when the input on the SACD 30n is switched away from CD, the SACD 30n puts the CD transport to sleep in order to reduce noise. When you switch back to CD, it must wake up the transport. That waking is the reason for the 10 second delay of the tray opening. When in CD mode, the transport opens immediately.

[uffe]

The reason for startup delay of the CD/SACD is because is has a separate power supply which is switched off, when you use the device for streaming for instance. So when you select CD it needs to switch on the separate power supply for the CD and let it stabilize first before use. I have the combo you reviewed and I am very happy with it. Playing Vinyl, CD, SACD and some streaming.

[karkasnatschka]

I have both the model 30 and sacd 30n and I feel I am set for the next twenty years...the model 30 sounded so much richer than the (almost equally priced) other amps I listened to in a demo-session at a highend store...there's detail, body, 3d soundstage, balance and above all: it scratches the multiple secret itches of the true audiophiles: it sounds while being composed yet revealing and having that classy (yes, I dare say: expensive) sound to it...I love it, you can too! YOLO!

[douglasyoungblood]

Side note: The SACD-30N can also cast/sync to other HEOS devices on the network, including SA/CD’s & any media via the output setting. The HP amp in the SACD-30N is wonderful with x3 Gain settings. The HEOS app has been recently updated & much better with its UI and navigation. Brilliant presentation & review mate, cheers.

[jkaiserling]

Hi John! Thanks for the informative video. I own the "Ruby" Series from Marantz. That was the previous iteration of what you showed. Ken Ishiwata's swan song project is amazing for anyone that enjoys the "warm, lush and (here it comes) tube-like sound from days of yore. I was smart enough with my project, to purchase several SACD's prior to this (for me) significant investment to my Music Room. An A-B comparison of some well-recorded and well-mastered SACD's brought a tear to even my sticker-shocked wife when she heard the RCA Victor (Living Stereo) recording of Rhapsody in Blue. The CD layer sounded really good as Marantz' technology has made it possible to take the edge off of the digital sound and make it sound real. However, taking the same disc and playing the SACD layer through this player, brought the presence or staging into the room. We actually felt that we were at the concert. You could hear the musicians taking a breath.

Another good example is an old recording of Frank Sinatra's. They are all on SACD and they have done a superb job at bringing Frank to life. On the SACD layer, you can hear Frank with even detail of his saliva (I know...gross) in his mouth. The CD layer does not do this, but does sound very good. You really need to hear an actual SACD on this player...an SACD that's been mastered with a good source and thoughtfully done. Many of the SACD's of recordings of the psychedelic rock of the late 1960's-1970's are at best, meh. I cannot tell any difference.

[joes]

I was an early adopter to the SACD 30n and have been enjoying it for a few years now. I use it with a vintage Marantz class a/b amp and preamp. I also pair it with my Luxman SQ-38u EL-34 tube integrated amp. I play CDs, SACDs, stream Amazon HD and use the USB-A with a thumb drive or USB-B with my MAC Mini it all sounds excellent. I agree 100% with Darko on HEOS app it needs work, frankly (imo) they need to start over and redesign it. I switched recently from Amazon HD to Qobuz. I’m waiting on delivery of my Aurender ACS 100, which will get me off the thumb drive, MAC and HEOS. Qobuz is integrated in Aurender products. The SACD 30n isn’t cheap, but I’m more than happy it (even with HEOS being a two star app).

[pureblood]

Best combo money can buy at the moment and there are good deals around. Amazing sound and flawless with SACD. I have stopped buying any audio equipment or accessories as I’ve now found the holy grail.

[ptg]

The Marantz SACD30n CD drawer sometimes takes a long time to open is because for certain functions, the power to the drawer is turned off to avoid any noise interference when streaming. I've had my unit for almost two years and LOVE it tremendously. I'm very happy with the Class D amplification of the model 30 amp too !

[LawnDrt]

I enjoyed the SACD multichannel content over the years. Cool to see SACD players still being produced. Thanks again Darko!

[Satyajit_Dey]

I just love your videos. Though I cannot afford the products it is such a pleasure to see and I get to know a lot of things.

[johnnyzun]

I’ve had the model 30 amp for a few months now with the much cheaper Marantz cd60 connected to dali epicon 2’s and couldn’t be happier, streaming courtesy of a dragonfly cobalt connected to an iPhone, no need to drop £3k on a streamer imo. This amp and the Dali’s really do make me look up and say wow quite a lot during a listening session. Fantastic haha. I haven’t had any issues with the cd draw and have AB tested the same track on the cd60 vs the dragonfly and the cd marginally wins in sound quality. Really love the channel! :)

[ohiphotopro]

Completely agree with your findings. I just got a 40n and 30n combo (wanted class AB/ and not Class D) and the sound is wonderful. Much better than much more expensive class D combo from another manufacturer. I think I prefer the sound better than my tube gear as well.

[andrzejz]

Just upgraded my speakers for this stack from monitor audio rx6 to B&w 704s3. The improvement is quite substantial. Clearer mids and a bit more bite in the top. Just like John described 703 s3 I think the Bowers and Marantz sound like they were made for each other.

[Vinyl-Go-Pilates_Reiner]

Thanks for the comparison.
I currently own a Marantz 30 amplifier but also a Advance Paris Smartline AX1 (pre)amplifier and - Advance Paris Smartline BX1 power amplifier.
Sources in my case are a Thorens TD320 with a Transrotor Uccello and as a DAC the Denafrips Ares 2.
All you said is also true for this pairing. The Marantz is the more rounder, more musical playing. Also with higher volumes there are never any distortions. Although my room - its the private training room in my Pilates Studio - is acoustically treated, with higher volumes the Advance Paris combo is sometimes stressful for the ears.

[terrynguyen]

I like that the Model30 is all analog with a phono stage. You can use whatever flavor of Dac/streamer you want with it. It’ll never go obsolete.

[weirdfishes]

Fantastic comparison, thank you!
My Marantz gear is great. My PM 8006 and CD 60 sound exactly as I expected: Yes musical, yes fuller. Paired with a Fluance RT-85 and a Bluesound streamer, hooked up to Special 40s. I am very satisfied with them.

[hubert-williams]

Hey Man, I did your style.. you and some others have a very unique way of getting this information out and making it available and I thank you for that..Keep on pushing my brother!! I'm old school from the 70's and most of this new age technology in HiFi I don't have clue but thanks to you and the other knowledgeable reviewers I'm making my way in this.. I have a kick as home theater 9.2 but my main love is 2 channel stereo. .. Just bought Marantz CD 6007 and PM 8006 integrated amp .. This is my 3rd system in my audio room yet I'm still trying to figure it all out.. Thanks Dude!

[EdoDijkgraaf]

Everytime I watch one of your videos I want put some music on and just enjoy it. You do that John. Thank you for that.

[chanallen]

With option filter 2 selected and using the 30n as pre-amp, it outclasses many High-End systems.

[midmodaudio]

Great insight into the Marantz, I also like the music references which expose me to more great music