Marantz NA-11S1 Reference Network Audio Player and DAC Review

This is good to hear about NA-11S1.. especially since one of the several SACD players I experimented with over the years was an SA11S2.
It had build quality beyond most anything I've ever seen, but the sound, well, just wasn't my cup of tea shall we say.
 
Quick update: I was playing around with the various inputs and filters today on the NA11S1. I found the USB with Filter setting 2, DC filtration off and Noise shaper off as my favorite combination. That combination bettered the Ethernet ever so slightly. It gave a much more analog sound with smoother highs and a fuller sound.
 
Fabulous review Mike! I just wish I had one of those or any of the models Marantz has. As for CD sales going downward and getting rid of them, I say bunk. I still buy CDs. In fact, as long as there are CDPs there will be CDs and the used market is good right now. In my audio world there is room and purpose for many foerms of music media. I've known many who would say that Marantz sound is one of the best in vintage audio. Well judging just from my CDP5004 I'd say the same holds true today. Marantz just plain makes some of the best gear. I'm really impressed with Marantz. One thing about Marantz that I think lends to their great sound and gear is the fact that they only make audio gear. They don't get involved in other ventures spreading themselves too thin.
 
Mike......a very nice review!! :cool:

on a side note....since you've been in contact with Ken Ishiwata.......I don't know if he has any pull on what comes to the US market, but we want the silver/champagne versions in the Reference Series in the US. ie...PM11S3 etc. My email to Marantz was a very disappointing "no". :(
 
'cisco said:
Mike......a very nice review!! :cool:

on a side note....since you've been in contact with Ken Ishiwata.......I don't know if he has any pull on what comes to the US market, but we want the silver/champagne versions in the Reference Series in the US. ie...PM11S3 etc. My email to Marantz was a very disappointing "no". :(
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Thanks! I asked before I ordered mine and was told "no" too. I love that champagne color.
 
Mike said:
I received a very nice email from Mr. Ishiwata thanking me for my review. :D :) :D :)

He confirmed my findings that DSD is only capable through USB (which is ok).
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Great review, Mike!

Even though it can't currently stream DSD via Ethernet, I would think it's feasible, with custom software and/or using a Field Programmable Gate Array chip, to enable such function. That would allow those of us streaming music directly from a NAS to play DSD without a computer in the listening room. Until I can do that, with the Marantz (or another manufacturer), I'll stick with Redbook and High-Res PCM via my Squeezebox Touch and Bel Canto DAC 3.5.
 
sleepysurf said:
Great review, Mike!

Even though it can't currently stream DSD via Ethernet, I would think it's feasible, with custom software and/or using a Field Programmable Gate Array chip, to enable such function. That would allow those of us streaming music directly from a NAS to play DSD without a computer in the listening room. Until I can do that, with the Marantz (or another manufacturer), I'll stick with Redbook and High-Res PCM via my Squeezebox Touch and Bel Canto DAC 3.5.
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Thanks! Your plan makes a lot of sense. I was reading about a DAC that can stream DSD via Ethernet. I think it was the TBA DartZeel. I would also look at the T+A offerings as well to see of DSD over Ethernet is possible.

I hope the Marantz one day can do it too. But for now, I am converting all my DSD's to PCM using Korg Audiogate - so I have options.
 
Thanks for the great review Mike. Just a few questions:

1. Does the Marantz support all hi rez sample rates including 88.2 and 176.4 over USB and ethernet?
2. Does it do gapless playback over ethernet? Gapless support has been an issue for other ethernet DACs.

Thanks again for your advice on this DAC.
Terry
 
TSC Audio said:
Thanks for the great review Mike. Just a few questions:

1. Does the Marantz support all hi rez sample rates including 88.2 and 176.4 over USB and ethernet?
2. Does it do gapless playback over ethernet? Gapless support has been an issue for other ethernet DACs.

Thanks again for your advice on this DAC.
Terry
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Hi Terry - welcome to Audioshark.org

To answer your question - yes, according to the documentation it supports all formats and sampling rates up to 24/192 on USB. I don't have any 88.2 sample rate files to try. But I have converted 176.4 files to FLAC and streamed them over Ethernet with no issues and of course, 176.4 works great over USB in DSD. But remember, no native DSD over Ethernet. But converting the DSD files to FLAC using Korg has been excellent.

As for gapless - the manual says it does - but doesn't specify whether its for USB or Ethernet or both. I would guess its just for USB - but I could be wrong. It may do it on Ethernet too....not sure.

Hope this helps.
 
Gapless over USB is never a problem. Gapless over ethernet often is.

For example, PS Audio's "Bridge" network streamer won't do gapless. They're working on a virtual soundcard to solve this issue but there are problems getting it finished. For a lot of people who enjoy classical music and prog rock the lack of gapless support with the "Bridge" makes it's network functionality relatively useless. In addition, the "virtual soundcard" software would still require a computer in order to stream over a network. This defeats the main benefit of network streaming. ie: streaming directly from a NAS without a computer.

As far as I know the only network streamers that can currently do this properly are the Linn DS streamers.

Luckily, according to Mike, the USB implementation on the Marantz apparently sounds as good as ethernet, so lack of gapless on ethernet wouldn't be a deal breaker. Hopefully, Marantz didn't overlook this important feature since streaming gapless over ethernet would be the main reason I would consider this DAC.

DSD over USB is a nice feature but only a fringe benefit due to limited content.

Terry
 
TSC Audio said:
Gapless over USB is never a problem. Gapless over ethernet often is.

For example, PS Audio's "Bridge" network streamer won't do gapless. They're working on a virtual soundcard to solve this issue but there are problems getting it finished. For a lot of people who enjoy classical music and prog rock the lack of gapless support with the "Bridge" makes it's network functionality relatively useless. In addition, the "virtual soundcard" software would still require a computer in order to stream over a network. This defeats the main benefit of network streaming. ie: streaming directly from a NAS without a computer.

As far as I know the only network streamers that can currently do this properly are the Linn DS streamers.

Luckily, according to Mike, the USB implementation on the Marantz apparently sounds as good as ethernet, so lack of gapless on ethernet wouldn't be a deal breaker. Hopefully, Marantz didn't overlook this important feature since streaming gapless over ethernet would be the main reason I would consider this DAC.

DSD over USB is a nice feature but only a fringe benefit due to limited content.

Terry
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Terry - if you are into classical - I would definitely get the Linn Akurate DS or Klimax DS for gapless.

My next DAC move will be a Linn Klimax DS or ARC REF DAC.
 
Mike said:
Terry - if you are into classical - I would definitely get the Linn Akurate DS or Klimax DS for gapless.

My next DAC move will be a Linn Klimax DS or ARC REF DAC.
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...my, wouldn't that look good in your signature.I still daydream about one every now & then as with active speakers, it's all i would need :P
 
bzr said:
...my, wouldn't that look good in your signature.I still daydream about one every now & then as with active speakers, it's all i would need :P
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If I was in your shoes Kev - I would do the Linn Klimax DS....and you will Klimax! :)

I've heard the Linn Klimax DS as a DAC/Music Player/preamp several times in Phoenix and its a champ.
 
You also might want to give the Naim NDS network player in mind. Most people that have directly comppared them say it's on the same level as the Klimax.

Mike said:
If I was in your shoes Kev - I would do the Linn Klimax DS....and you will Klimax! :)

I've heard the Linn Klimax DS as a DAC/Music Player/preamp several times in Phoenix and its a champ.
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