Just gotta day i’m really enjoying the DAC in the SA-10 tonight. I picked up my new Bluesound Node 2i and I find the DAC in the Marantz superior to the Bluesound, obviously. Listening to Gunships new album and even some Eagles on Tidal.

But you don't get MQA on the Marantz..

If RCD is using the Bluesound's digital output it does provide MQA Core decoding even if the Marantz doesn't support MQA.

I have digi coax and optical running from the Node 2i into the SA-10 and even RCA outputs to let the Node do the rendering.

I did a little of listening with both the optical & digi coax into the SA-10 along with the RCA output of the Node2i. With the Nodes DAC it seemed to of lose all the low end and the soundstage narrow even though I think with the digital outputs of the Node you are limited to 96k?

I've run my Sonos Connect, NA-11S1 and MacBook into the SA-10. I am able to get 384K with the Mac into the SA-10s USB input, but I usually don't feel like plugging in the Mac with a long USB cable.

I even messed around with the Audiquest USB DAC for MQA out of my Mac. Not that it was a bad option to go analog from that into my PM-10 I had, but found I rather either stream something into the SA-10s digital inputs if I didn't use the USB input from the Mac. I'm at the point where I prefer less cables, less adapters.

I was totally into MQA about a year ago and took the summer off not really listening to much music. Now that the colder part of the year is back time to refresh my memory and see what's new.

Prior to picking up an SA-10 I did the same with the NA-11S1, but now I have the SA-10 I don't use the NA-11S1 even though it's a wonderful option if you don't want to spend $7K on a disc spinner!

Even though the Node's analog outputs provide full MQA decoding, you're likely hearing the clear superiority of the Marantz DAC despite sacrificing MQA rendering when being driven by the Node's digital outputs.

Yep! That was why I figured I'd chime in on this thread. Love this player and use the input more so than spinning a disc.:thumbsup:

Getting the SA-KI Ruby disc player delivered today. Should be interesting....looking forward to it.

Think I liked my SA8004 better than my current Oppo 203. Looking forward to your review.

I'm using the SA-10 in a second system without anything to compare to but I like everything I hear. There isn't anything I even nitpick about, which is rare. It seems detailed and smooth, both as a DAC and disc player. I wish I could compare with my Oppo 205.
I like it enough that I'd consider another one for that system, though.

If your SA-KI Ruby approaches the same performance I perceive from the SA-10, I can't imagine being less than pleased with it.

No dealers that carry Marantz Ref gear anywhere near here, and almost nothing on the SA-10 seen on various forums a year or two ago, else I very well might have bought the Marantz unit over the more expensive Esoteric K-03X. SA-10 technology/build quality is impressive. I play mostly classical, so MQA not a big deal for me (e.g., more inclined toward Qobuz than Tidal).