| High-end Audio Forum Discussion of high-end audio. (This is where our "Sorry about your wallet" slogan will ring most true.) |
08-14-2009, 05:58 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,671
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Cary 306 Pro, Esoteric SA-50... are there any other SACD/DAC combos should I be looking at?
Title says it all.
I am very interested in an SACD player that will also function as a DAC for other peripherals such as my DVD player and computer.
Why not separates? Because if I am paying top dollar for an SACD player with superb quality, I do not want to have to also pay once again for a top-notch DAC.
Of course, this is a very flexible question - if there are separates (SACD + DAC) that would work for me and cost about the same amount as any of the above mentioned players, I am all ears 
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Electrostatic Rig: Sony SCD-XA5400ES --> Woo WES Maxxed --> SR-Ω, SR-Σ PRO
Dynamic Rig: Otari MX5050 --> Eddie Current Balancing Act PX4 (preordered) --> R10, HD800
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08-14-2009, 06:32 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 689
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I think there's a Luxman universal player in the same price range.
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08-14-2009, 11:03 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 410
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The Electrocompaniet EMP1/S around $8K is a very good sounding unit but may not have a digital in.
There are really no affordable SACD separates out there that I can think of as they are all flagship rigs.
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08-14-2009, 11:32 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,671
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I suppose I should have been clearer about separates - i did not mean an SACD DAC, but rather a standalone SACD rig and CD DAC
of course, I am really in love with the idea of the all-in-one
__________________
FLAC vs. 320kbps MP3 - VOTE NOW!!!
Electrostatic Rig: Sony SCD-XA5400ES --> Woo WES Maxxed --> SR-Ω, SR-Σ PRO
Dynamic Rig: Otari MX5050 --> Eddie Current Balancing Act PX4 (preordered) --> R10, HD800
Portable Rig: HM-801 --> JH13 Pro
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08-15-2009, 12:33 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Glenn Dale, MD
Posts: 732
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Quote:
Originally Posted by btf1980
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x2. I have one and it actually replaced the Cary 306 Professional. The Mac is a very smooth and detailed player. It is also built like a tank and looks great.
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The formula of headphone ownership satisfaction is oH = n+1, where "oH" is the optimal number of headphones you need and "n" is the number of headphones you currently own.
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08-15-2009, 12:42 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,671
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Quote:
Originally Posted by btf1980
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Marantz really irks me: Why do the SE-only models have digital-in, while the balanced "higher-end" models do not?
With everyone else (Cary, Esoteric, McIntosh, Wadia....) the low end lack digital-in, while the upper register offer it.
__________________
FLAC vs. 320kbps MP3 - VOTE NOW!!!
Electrostatic Rig: Sony SCD-XA5400ES --> Woo WES Maxxed --> SR-Ω, SR-Σ PRO
Dynamic Rig: Otari MX5050 --> Eddie Current Balancing Act PX4 (preordered) --> R10, HD800
Portable Rig: HM-801 --> JH13 Pro
Head-Fi Feedback
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08-15-2009, 12:43 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Rotterdam / Zürich
Posts: 694
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dCS Puccini, Wadia 781i, Accuphase DP-78 and DP-700 are supreme options...
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my LAST.FM / member of The NL Group
007A / 4070 <– Woo GES Maxxed Caps, EAT Cool Damped 12AX7 Mullards <– Aqvox USB 2 D/A MKII
001mkII <– SRM-001(UltraFatCat+) <– Ipod Classic7
EM3Pro(TWag) / Ed.8 / JH13Pro(TWag) <– Custom Siemens c3g / iQube v1 / ALO Rx <– Audiocom Lv.2 Benchmark DAC-1 or Ipod Classic7
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08-15-2009, 02:27 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 410
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GuyDebord
dCS Puccini, Wadia 781i, Accuphase DP-78 and DP-700 are supreme options...
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The DP-700 is fantastic, I have owned one (and a 78 for the matter).
Unfortunately I get the sense that this is way out of the OPs price range at $26K.
FWIW, The Puccini and 781i don't compare to the 700....BTDT.
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08-15-2009, 08:02 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Funland
Posts: 1,508
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EMM Labs also offers some nice CD/SACD transports and DACs for them.
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"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers."
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08-15-2009, 02:19 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Posts: 16,939
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Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug
Marantz really irks me: Why do the SE-only models have digital-in, while the balanced "higher-end" models do not?
With everyone else (Cary, Esoteric, McIntosh, Wadia....) the low end lack digital-in, while the upper register offer it.
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Although not in the market I was looking at the Marantz SE, it sure looks nice. Wonder how it sounds a both a redbook cd-player and as a dac-only.
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08-15-2009, 06:19 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 157
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I have a Linn Unidisc SC that functions as a SACD player and as a DAC. It can also act as a preamp for a home theater system. It does a nice job but I have never compared it to the above mentioned DAC's.
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08-16-2009, 07:55 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug
Marantz really irks me: Why do the SE-only models have digital-in, while the balanced "higher-end" models do not?
With everyone else (Cary, Esoteric, McIntosh, Wadia....) the low end lack digital-in, while the upper register offer it.
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It's because the SA-15S2 and the SA-KI Pearl are their latest players. The SA-11S2 and the SA-7S1 are a few years old. Whenever they get updated, I'm sure they will have digital-ins.
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08-16-2009, 08:00 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo
Although not in the market I was looking at the Marantz SE, it sure looks nice. Wonder how it sounds a both a redbook cd-player and as a dac-only.
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I have the SA-15S1, and I have had an Esoteric SZ-1 and SA-60. I prefer the Marantz player bar none. The Esoterics have a stark, analytical and cold sound. Some like this, I found it fatiguing after a while. I know it sounds cliche, but the Marantz makes analog sounding players.
Last edited by btf1980; 08-16-2009 at 08:04 PM.
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08-17-2009, 12:53 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus:
High-End Forum Volunteer
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 9,274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4N6
x2. I have one and it actually replaced the Cary 306 Professional. The Mac is a very smooth and detailed player. It is also built like a tank and looks great.
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what about the MCD500 do you prefer over the 306?
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1. Cary 306 SACD »» RSA B52 or HR Bal Home »» HD650 / HD800 / RS1
2. Cary 306 SACD »» HEV70 »» HE60
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