Marantz SA7001 KI Signature

By Michael Wong

October 2006

Marantz SA7001 KI Signature SACD/CD player. $2999

Marantz SA7001 KI Signature (click for larger image)

The rear panel (click for larger image)

Inside the Marantz SA7001 KI Signature (click for larger image)

To the casual observer it may appear that mainstream audio manufacturers have discarded two-channel stereo for the glitz and glamour of home theatre and multi-channel formats, with all their added expense and complication.

The real surprise is that good old two-channel stereo is very much alive and kicking and needn’t require a second (or third) mortgage. AudioEnz has covered models from Rotel, Cambridge Audio and Rega in recent times. A few months ago Brent Burmester listened to the Denon 1500 duo, one of many new stereo-only combinations from Denon.

From Denon’s sister company, Marantz, comes the new SA7001 KI Signature, a stereo only SACD/CD player that uses technology from the more expensive SA-15 and SA-11 flagships. This is the first SACD player to get the Ken Ishiwata Signature treatment. All new Marantz products must pass KI’s scrutiny before getting signed off for production. Those with potential for further factory improvement are modified with higher quality internal componentry and construction. For the SA7001KIS, this includes a newly developed toroidal transformer, large capacity block capacitor, film capacitors and electrolical(sic) capacitors, copper coated chassis and high grade audio output terminal.

To these eyes the SA7001KIS marks a welcome return to a more simplistic and purposeful look, away from some of the garishness that has burdened recent Marantz audio equipment. The review sample looked great with a luxurious satin black faceplate (silver is also available). The fascia carries the traditional Marantz logos in gold, to the left is the plastic disc tray, below is the power switch, there’s no standby but that’s not missed as the player sounds best when left on. In the centre is a small but legible display that can be dimmed or switched off completely, basic transport controls reside upper right.

Below the main controls are smaller buttons for display dimming/off, sound mode (SACD or CD default setting), track skipping and a headphone socket and volume control. The undertray and rear panel are all made of heavy copper, copper is also used for many of the screws holding the player together. Single-ended RCA outputs, coaxial and optical digital outputs, an external remote loop and an IEC mains socket make up the rearguard.

A nice touch are small plastic shrouds around the many screws that protrude through the bottom of the chassis. In a refreshing change from all the lightweight DVD based disc players that have been through my listening room lately, the SA7001KIS is a very well built player, weighing in at a solid 8.0kg, 1.7kg over the stock SA7001. The remote is a low cost plastic job, smaller than usual, but with a good button layout that makes for easy one-handed use.

Well rendered

Some recent Marantz CD players have been criticised for taking the warm, mellow approach too far, resulting in a pleasant but slow, lifeless sound. No such problems here. But when cold, the SA7001KIS reminds me of the original CD63 Mk II KIS at it’s rowdy worse.

Once fully warmed up, and preferably left powered up, the SA7001KIS is crisp and detailed with plenty of attack and speed. Music is taut and well controlled but not stifled, in a well rendered acoustic that places performers with good clarity and focus. Tonally it’s relatively smooth throughout, with just a touch of leanness through the midrange/bass. Overall CD performance is good for the asking price. All it needs is a touch more air in the upper reaches and a little warmth in the lower midrange and bass, where it can sound a bit cold and sterile.

These criticisms are forgotten as soon as one loads an SACD disc into the player. Good SACDs on the Marantz have a sense of space and solidity that Redbook CD on the same player cannot match. Music flows more naturally, on a greater sense of scale and vitality. Transparency, resolution and naturalness all ramp up by several notches.

The Marantz SA7001KI Signature is a true high performance SACD/CD player, designed by one of the world’s most reknowned audio personalities for music lovers. The Marantz’s main competition will come from universal players disc players, including several from Marantz’s home theatre product line. Here the SA7001KIS is more than competitive on CD playback and better than most with SACD. This is a disc player that will appeal to the buyer who wants good sound, uncompromised by also having to cater for AV use.

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