Got the Ref gear in for review and it's very nice...

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Just thought I'd share.

I've got the 300 watt monos, along with the SACD player and preamp. Great gear, very impressive. Had a nice chat with the folks at Marantz the other day.

They couldn't really mention, but there is more to come soon in the reference line..

I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Jeff,

I was auditioning the reference gear when who walked in the door? Mr. Ken Ishiwata himself. Plonked himself next to me on the listening sofa. Needless to say we chatted about the gear and the music. What a great brand ambassador!

howie

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

Jeff,

I was auditioning the reference gear when who walked in the door? Mr. Ken Ishiwata himself. Plonked himself next to me on the listening sofa. Needless to say we chatted about the gear and the music. What a great brand ambassador!

howie

Howie
Where was this? Ishiwata gets a lot of press in the UK magazines, not so much in the US.
Jim

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by Stillone

Howie
Where was this? Ishiwata gets a lot of press in the UK magazines, not so much in the US.
Jim

At my dealer in Hong Kong. He had like 10 cronies with him but he's the only one who sat down. Very nice chap and very keen to hear comments from potential customers

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

At my dealer in Hong Kong. He had like 10 cronies with him but he's the only one who sat down. Very nice chap and very keen to hear comments from potential customers

Are you sure they are "cronnies" and NOT bouncers or better still, his designers?

Time for a change from Meridian to Full Marantz? Who knows a modern 10B tuner may be in the works and so does a Bluray DVD to complete?

I have heard the New 7+9+SACD player. Build and looks first rate, kinda like a distant cousin of Accuphase, sans meters. Very competitively priced too!

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by JSCC

Are you sure they are "cronnies" and NOT bouncers or better still, his designers?

Time for a change from Meridian to Full Marantz? Who knows a modern 10B tuner may be in the works and so does a Bluray DVD to complete?

I have heard the New 7+9+SACD player. Build and looks first rate, kinda like a distant cousin of Accuphase, sans meters. Very competitively priced too!

Sorry Jerry, I think I would go with the Meridian 808vII before the Marantz even sans SACD.

[Tonepub]

2nd that notion there. The Marantz is good, but the Meridian 808.2 is in another league...

[-E-]

Isn't the next issue supposed to be ready?

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by tonepub

2nd that notion there. The Marantz is good, but the Meridian 808.2 is in another league...

absolutely!

[nsgarch]

Marantz's "roots" are Tubes, and the United States of America;
not Solid State and Japan.

And "legendary" for Marantz (and McIntosh) is 1957 to (maybe) 1975 at the latest.

[jdandy]

I found it disappointing that the SC-7S2 Reference Control Amplifier, at $8K, has one left and right balanced input, and one output.

I have to agree with Neil, too. Legendary for Marantz was 40+ years ago, made in the USA. When Sal left, so did Marantz, IMO.