The auction does not include the SA8400 SACD player which must be purchased separately.

The SA-8400 on first look may seem like less value for money compared to its rivals since it won’t play your DVD’s or DVD-Audio discs. But from a purely audio standpoint the benefits of a dedicated linear power supply for audio eliminates the risk of any unwanted interaction from sharing a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) with video circuits. The SA-8400 has been designed for those who desire 2-channel SACD at a reasonable price. The auction does not include the SA8400 SACD player which must be purchased separately.

At the heart of the SA8400 is the CS4397 24 bit /192 KHz “Super DAC” from Cirrus Logic, a DAC selected by Marantz for use in other costlier players like the Marantz SA21-S1 and Marantz SA14. The CS4397 uses an integrated current-to-voltage converter so no external operational amplifiers are required for conversion. The post DAC circuitry uses Marantz’s proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM) for buffer amplifier and low pass filter, preferred over the conventional ‘op-amp’ since Marantz are able to tailor the HDAM to meet there specific circuit and audio requirements.

The SA-8400 received several magazine review during its reign as was regarded as a good SACD player, but an average CD player, here we’d have to agree.  On SACD the SA-8400 manages a good show with an open, warm and spacious sound mixed with excellent resolving of detail and good definition. Switch to CD and the sound becomes flatter, leaner and harsh. Sound-stage is suppressed and listening to music quickly becomes fatiguing. Harsh words maybe, but side-by-side against the Marantz CD-63 KI from the mid 1990’s, the CD-63KI manages a far better sound overall albeit with the 63 not sounding as transparent, fresh and detailed. The auction does not include the SA8400 SACD player which must be purchased separately.

 
The Modifications

The SA-8400 was never destined to be honed by Ken Ishiwata, so internally the circuits are a playing field for a wide range of modifications. The OEM player is not completely devoid of audio grade components, both Elna Cerafine are used in the analogue DAC supply, audio power supply for the HDAM’s; with Elna Silmic (ROS) brought into service for the output signal coupling.

For the SA-8400 to win more friends over with its CD sound quality we had to look long and hard on getting the ‘biggest bang for buck’ from our budget around £350.00 for the level-1 modification.

The first level of modifications, level-1 for the SA-8400 is based on significantly improving the master clock. To accomplish this we completely removed the CMOS oscillator and buffer and fitted an ultra-low jitter clock, the Audiocom Superclock 4-S using a short coaxial cable with line termination.

The results were exhilarating and highly rewarding for CD & SACD playback. The sonic performance of both digital formats increased markedly placing a clear and substantial gap between the stock SA-8400 and the re-clocked player using Superclock 4. The prominent effects of this upgrade are the increase in sound-stage depth and width where the increase in acoustic space gives music greater perspective and freeness. The levels of resolution improve substantially allowing more insight into recordings with a level of naturalness, truth of pitch and timbre absent from the stock OEM player. Timing and coherence is much improved adding a greater analogue flow and the sense of listening is more free flowing, organic and relaxing. Bass notes have better delineation with vocals and instrument placement gaining greater focus.

The next phase of modifications focuses solely on the DAC, the CS4397. This DAC uses an on board digital interpolation filter unlike the DAC’s of yesteryear which relied on a separate chip.

The CS4397 requires both a 3.3V digital supply and a +5V analogue supply and for this Marantz have selected BA033T & BA05T fixed, 3-pin regulators. Each of these has a typical Ripple Rejection Ratio of 55 db (f = 120Hz, load = 100 Ma), and noise is in the region of 45µV. The impact of this noise riding on the DC rails affects clock lines, digital filter and the digital to analogue conversion process of the DAC chip. The sonic result of this is unwanted glare, edginess and compression to the sound.

In the level-1 upgrade we replace the BA033T & BA05T with the Audiocom Super-regulator 3's, which pack 24 high grade components on to a small, 4-layer, Gold-plated PCB. The Super-regulator 3 rejects noise by using a noise canceling, closed loop system to deliver a much lower noise floor, typically 37db lower than the BA05T type. This major reduction in noise means the DAC power rails are free of the harmful effects of noise enabling the DAC to perform much closer to its optimal performance. Next the digital de-coupling, analogue de-coupling and filter capacitors for the CS4397 DAC with Rubycon ZA & Sanyo OS-CON capacitors. This modification works in conjunction with the new ultra-low noise regulators to further improve the transparency, tonal purity and spatial qualities of the music.

Continuing the theme of low noise power supplies all of the regulator bypass capacitors for the 3.3 & 5V digital & analogue audio supplies are upgraded. The OEM capacitors are Elna General Purpose types and we upgrade these with the Panasonic FC which have low ESR/ESL and are renowned for their good sound quality.
Finally we modify the SA8400 transport internally by reducing resonances caused by the spindle motor (disc spin) and transformer. Here we use Sontech SFRT-AL material which converts vibration energy is into heat. By dampening the propagating waves through the transport structure disc read accuracy is improved placing less work on the servo control of the SACD player.

The Marantz SA-8400 modification package costs £350.00 inclusive. The price of the modification does not include the SA8400 SACD player, this must be purchased separately.

How to Order the Modification

The Marantz SA-8400 Level-1 modification is supplied & installed by Audiocom for £350.00 inclusive (excludes carriage).

Once you have purchased the Level-1 modification please contact us to schedule and book your 8400 for the installation. We can offer reasonable rates for insured courier collection & return to mainland UK from your home or workplace (excludes weekends).

The modification work is completed with 4-5 working days from receipt of the CD player. The Level-1 modification is covered by a 12 months parts & labour guarantee, this guarantee excludes any OEM parts such as laser & LCD display.