Summary: Amazing value. I looked for a year before settling on this table. The combination of very good motor with high speed stability (unlike many others), which I measurably verified with FFT analysis of precision testing records. The arm is very high grade, very low resonance, superb build quality and uses bearings of the highest grade. Table is relative low resonance, has superb bearing/platter design and is attractive.
Other main contender for me was the VPI Scout. The arm on the Marantz is what finally pushed me towards this unit, as I did not like the arm on the VPI as much; it seemed less stable.
I find it amusing that some consider this to 'NOT' be an audiophile table. What defines 'audiophile' table, exactly? Must it cost more then $5,000? By performance and build quality, the Marantz definitely qualifies. But I suppose it does not cost enough for some of the 'elite'. :) I would take this table over many tables that cost much more - price is not everything.
Highly recommended. I give it 5 out of 5 for value. I give it 4 out of 5 for absolute performance. You 'can' get better performance (not much more, mind you) if you pick very wisely and are prepared to spend much more, or go after certain rare 80's high-tech Japanese tables.
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Summary: Built by Clearaudio for Marantz, the TT15S1 appears to be a step between the Emotion and the Champion models. Fit and finish are what one would expect from Clearaudio at this price point. Setup was simple and will take less than 1/2 hour. All of the tools needed were supplied with the table. The Unify tonearm supplied is solid, but the magnetic anti-skate system seems rather hokey.
The factory settings provide a good starting point, but the table will require some tweaking to get it to sound its best. An aftermarket stylus pressure gauge is recommended to make sure setting is correct. Experimentation with the tonearm height adjustment will provide an optimum sound payback as most have found the factory setting too low. Make sure that you have a stable platform - the design makes it very succeptable to vibrations. An isolation platform would be the best.
Soundwise, the TT-15S1 is a solid performer capable of pulling out details lost with lesser tables. The Virtuoso cartridge provided has a high output and will mate well with most moving magnet pre-amps. Swapping out the Virtuoso for a Benz Glider proved that this combination of arm and table was able to bring out the best of any cartridge. The Benz sounding very warm while the Virtuoso sounding very matter of fact.
At its current price, there's very little to seriously compete with the TT-15S1 other than other Clearaudio models. When you add the value of the Virtuoso cartridge that is included, it's a tough act to follow. Is it an audiophile turntable? No, but it gets you close enough to see just how much better vinyl can sound than any compact disc.
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Summary: Absolutely fabulous modern TT both functionaly & aesthetically.
My budget was under $3000 and I was considering buying the clearaudio emotion set as I was quite impressed but this one is superior to emotion set as though marantz TT was also made by Clearaudio in German.
This has the better board & foot design (more solid, wider, bigger, heavier) than emotions. The motor is completely isolated against the board(it looks attatched but NOT.) and dead quiet. so Sound? clearly 5 star.
Strengths: All
Weaknesses: ???
Similar Products Used: Raga, Linn LP12(overly rated also price absurd...), VPI, Pro-ject, Denon, Thorens, music hall,Technics, ...
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Summary: After listening to this table for the last five months I feel I can give my opinion. I got rid of my old direct drive table after hearing that the new tables are much better. So I bought a Music Hall MMF-2.1 to see if newer tables were worth it. Just from that first table I could tell a difference. Now this brings me to the Marantz, WOW. So much more warmth and bottom end. It could be the cartridge also, but this table is a delight to listen to. Soundstaging is spot on for its relative price range. It may not have all of the depth of tables costing in upwards of 3000.00 and up. But this combo sounds so right for the money you do pony up. You can't go wrong I believe with this table, cartridge combo.
Strengths: soundstaing, good depth, quiet
Weaknesses: the other reviewer had a point about assembly, it does come all apart. But I learned alot and think if your getting into a rig as nice as this you'd want to get in and put it together so you can fix anything that might come up. So I guess its not a weak point for some.
Similar Products Used: Technics, Music Hall MMF-2.1
I stepped up to the Maestro cartridge sfter talking with my sales person at Music Direct and got it for the 200 difference. I think the swap was worth every cent.
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