Marantz SA7001 (released 2005)

The Marantz SA7001 is a CD/SACD player introduced in 2005. It drew on the technology Marantz had developed through successive SACD players. It came in gold and silver finishes. In Europe there was also a KI Signature version (SA7001KI), the first SACD player to get Ken Ishiwata's personal attention. The Japanese domestic version had a release price of ¥60,000 and ran on 100 VAC.

Inside is a Cirrus Logic CS4397 DAC, which handles both 1-bit DSD and 16-bit PCM through a built-in dynamic element matching circuit. The analog stage uses Marantz's own HDAM (High Definition Amplifier Module) discrete high-speed current-feedback amplifier modules instead of op-amps. The filter amplifier section is also a discrete high-speed design. The power supply has a transformer with separate windings for the digital, analog, and display systems, each with its own rectifier and smoothing circuit. It also has a custom capacitor developed through repeated trial listening. The tray is coated with black anti-vibration paint to reduce the influence of laser diffused reflection. The servo/decoder circuits sit on a four-layer glass-epoxy substrate to reduce noise radiation.

Playback specs as documented: SACD frequency response of 2 Hz - 50 kHz (-3 dB), dynamic range of 112 dB, and distortion of 0.0020% at 1 kHz. For CD, response is 2 Hz - 20 kHz with 100 dB dynamic range and the same 0.0020% distortion figure. Audio output is 2.3 V unbalanced. The digital outputs are coaxial (0.5 Vp-p/75 Ω) and optical (-19 dBm), and they work for CD only. The headphone output delivers 0.5 W/32 Ω at maximum volume. The player measures 440 × 126.5 × 335.5 mm, weighs 6.3 kg, and draws 19W. A dual-layer disc mechanism handles SACD single-layer, dual-layer, and hybrid discs, plus CD, CD-R, and CD-RW. Convenience features include quick replay (back 10, 20, or 30 seconds with one touch), SACD text display, 30-song program/random playback, A-B repeat, and a display-off function. The remote is the RC7001SA.

Period reception is thin in the Archive's files. No full professional review with measurements has surfaced. The most substantive commentary is a Russian-language hifi-review.com piece. It described the SA7001 as having a catchy, very dynamic sound, particularly on CD, with rock and electronic music coming across with energetic drive and jazz played brightly and with large scale. Owner reports on forums are positive. One noted it reads CD-R without problems and that the sound impresses given the discrete output stage. Another preferred it to a Sony for its lower mush on complex passages. The KI Signature was described by its original 2007 owner as costing $1,300. A repair-specific SACD laser head remains available from parts sellers, which suggests the mechanism is a known service item.

Known specifications:

DAC: Cirrus Logic CS4397 (1-bit DSD / 16-bit PCM)
Disc compatibility: SACD (single/dual/hybrid), CD, CD-R, CD-RW
Frequency response: 2 Hz–50 kHz (−3 dB) SACD; 2 Hz–20 kHz CD
Dynamic range: 112 dB (SACD); 100 dB (CD)
Distortion (1 kHz): 0.0020% both formats
Outputs: 2.3 V unbalanced stereo RCA, coaxial digital, optical digital, headphone
Power consumption: 19W
Dimensions: 440 × 126.5 × 335.5 mm; 6.3 kg