Introducing ONIX Zenith XST20 - High-End SACD Transport with true DSD output

[Waxerbob]

No ripping functionality on XST20.



The internals are what makes it work this way for the SACD output. There will be no cheaper version.

If you are simply looking for a more basic SACD player, you can check Shanling SCD1.3, that one is about 60% of cost of XST20 and includes a very nice DAC.



Apart from I2S, all outputs can provide PCM output for SACD playback.
CD playback is always PCM.



If using DoP, output is 44.1 kHz.
There are no filters for this.



Purely on specification, if you play just CDs and can use some of the wireless connectivity, ET3 is a great buy at lower price.
In practice, even with CDs the XST20 sounds better (if you believe in transport having an impact on sound quality of DAC).

No ripping functionality on XST20.



The internals are what makes it work this way for the SACD output. There will be no cheaper version.

If you are simply looking for a more basic SACD player, you can check Shanling SCD1.3, that one is about 60% of cost of XST20 and includes a very nice DAC.



Apart from I2S, all outputs can provide PCM output for SACD playback.
CD playback is always PCM.



If using DoP, output is 44.1 kHz.
There are no filters for this.



Purely on specification, if you play just CDs and can use some of the wireless connectivity, ET3 is a great buy at lower price.
In practice, even with CDs the XST20 sounds better (if you believe in transport having an impact on sound quality of DAC).

Will the XST20 play nicely with Denafrips Pontus15th I2S?

 

[sygnus21]

Will the XST20 play nicely with Denafrips Pontus15th I2S?

I'd be shocked if it didn't, and most definitely eliminate it from contention as that's how I intend to connect to my Pontus 15th.

 

[Waxerbob]

I'd be shocked if it didn't, and most definitely eliminate it from contention as that's how I intend to connect to my Pontus 15th.

Yeah waiting for physical reviews when it gets released. Some distributors charging $2,400 for it though on preorder thats more than the Dac!

 

[Shanling]

Will the XST20 play nicely with Denafrips Pontus15th I2S?

Yes, even our ET3 works with Denafris DAC and XST20 offers more compatibility with I2S DAC.

Yeah waiting for physical reviews when it gets released. Some distributors charging $2,400 for it though on preorder thats more than the Dac!

If you are in USA, expect wild swings in price thanks to the current "conditions".

 

[sygnus21]

Yeah waiting for physical reviews when it gets released. Some distributors charging $2,400 for it though on preorder thats more than the Dac!

You can thank that idiot for that. Everything is about to get a lot more expensive coming into the states

Anyway, one more thing for Shanling to overcome in convincing U.S. customers their player is still worth that cost.

 

[csward]

Looks good:

 

[Shanling]

.

 

[pjw241142]

.

@Shanling when are the first reviews inbound?

 

[petek]

I took delivery of one yesterday. Bought from Forte Distribution, the official USA distributor. Have it hooked up with a blue water HDMI cable using I2S port to the Denafrips Venus II-12th DAC. I have not had a lengthy listen yet, only listening to the first few minutes of a Hiromi hybrid SACD. Maybe longer listen tonight. What I did hear was stellar. I am not used to top loaders so maybe the loud whirring and even mechanical noise for a few seconds at spin up is normal. The pin out scheme is mode 3 on the ONIX, and mode 5 on the Denafrips Venus II-12th. If I recall that corresponded to 1-0-1.

Also: The USA distributor, Forte Distribution will now apply the 10% first time buyer Shanling10 code (maybe only if you are a 1st time buyer). So that at least covers tax. And shipping was FAST. The warehouse is near Portland and I was told just 24 units were there (as of 4 or 5 days ago). So, get yours---taking a chance that a 2d container with units even arrives anytime soon to the US, with the crazy tariffs that would push the price to like over 5 grand! I was under 2400 with tax and discount applied.

 

[sygnus21]

What some (me) are wondering is if it supports gapless playback. Got any gapless CDs to test out?

 

[Waxerbob]

petek,
Can you give us more updates with more time on this unit. Is SACD playback registering DSD on Venus? Are you using this in headphone setup only?

 

[sygnus21]

petek,
Can you give us more updates with more time on this unit. Is SACD playback registering DSD on Venus? Are you using this in headphone setup only?

Can't answer that myself, but if the unit is playing DSD, the DAC's DSD light should be lit? If not, no DSD is playing.

 

[petek]

The USA distributor, Forte Distribution will now apply the 10% first time buyer Shanling10 code (maybe only if you are a 1st time buyer). So that at least covers tax. And shipping was FAST. The warehouse is near Portland and I was told just 24 units were there. So get yours---taking a chance that a 2d container with units even arrives anytime soon to the US with the crazy tariffs that would push the price to like over 5 grand! I was under 2400 with tax and discount applied.

What some (me) are wondering is if it supports gapless playback. Got any gapless CDs to test out?

Not sure; never payed attention to that, and actually I'd rather have a gap. Although in the advertising I think it said it does.

 

[Waxerbob]

Can't answer that myself, but if the unit is playing DSD, the DAC's DSD light should be lit? If not, no DSD is playing.

I took delivery of one yesterday. Bought from Forte Distribution, the official USA distributor. Have it hooked up with a blue water HDMI cable using I2S port to the Denafrips Venus II-12th DAC. I have not had a lengthy listen yet, only listening to the first few minutes of a Hiromi hybrid SACD. Maybe longer listen tonight. What I did hear was stellar. I am not used to top loaders so maybe the loud whirring and even mechanical noise for a few seconds at spin up is normal. The pin out scheme is mode 3 on the ONIX, and mode 5 on the Denafrips Venus II-12th. If I recall that corresponded to 1-0-1.

Also: The USA distributor, Forte Distribution will now apply the 10% first time buyer Shanling10 code (maybe only if you are a 1st time buyer). So that at least covers tax. And shipping was FAST. The warehouse is near Portland and I was told just 24 units were there (as of 4 or 5 days ago). So, get yours---taking a chance that a 2d container with units even arrives anytime soon to the US, with the crazy tariffs that would push the price to like over 5 grand! I was under 2400 with tax and discount applied.

Can you tell me more about blue water HDMI? Is that manufacturer blue water?

 

[petek]

petek,
Can you give us more updates with more time on this unit. Is SACD playback registering DSD on Venus? Are you using this in headphone setup only?

Yes the DSD indicator lights. No, I am using it in the attached photos.

Also:
"Can you tell me more about blue water HDMI? Is that manufacturer blue water?"

SOMEBH4-0150 SOMMER EXCELSIOR EBH4-0150 HDMI CAB 1.5

Have Inc of Hudson, NY was where I got it 2 years ago for 135 USD shipped.

https://store.haveinc.com/p-63192-s...dmi-cable-w-audio-back-channel-1-5-meter.aspx

I have saved it all this while too lazy to hook up the extra breakout box to see if it worked with the old Yamaha---I have heard yes.
So now I have this the 2d piece with I2S.