Is there a good universal player in the $1,500 or less range?

[evanft]

I'm going to be upgrading from my Oppo 980 sometime soon, and my budget it around $1,500. I'd like a player capable of SACD/HDCD/DVDA while still having redbook playback comparable to CD-only players in its price range. Does such a player exist, or am I going to have to compromise on one of the formats? I'm looking for something that would go well with a tube amp and HD 650s. Probably something not so warm.

I've come up with a few options. Any suggestions?

CD
Cambridge Audio 840c
EMT 982

CD/SACD/DVD
Denon 3930CI

CD/SACD
Sony SACD XA-5400ES

 

[El_Doug]

Have you considered keeping the 980 (excellent transport), and purchasing a standalone DAC? granted this will not improve SACD playback, but CD/HDCD quality will drastically improve

 

[evanft]

Oh, forgot to throw that in there. Yes, I've considered it, but given my budget, I might as well just get a new player. I'd have to find a DAC in my budget that allows my Oppo to noticeably outperform the 840c or XA-5400ES.

I'd welcome DAC suggestions, though.

 

[ozz]

How about this. OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player

 

[jpelg]

Stretch your budget a little bit and jump on riceboy's Exemplar-modded Denon in the FS forum. No compromises.

I promise you'll have smiles for days, and not look back.

 

[BobMcN]

I'd personally keep the Oppo and look for a used Bryston BDA1 DAC, if you can actually find anyone who wants to get rid of it. A very good DAC that you won't be able to beat at the $1500 price point in a universal unit.

Bob

 

[iriverdude]

CHT modded Oppo BD?

 

[jimmyjames8]

i would say Marantz DV9500 or DV9600 but they don't do HDCD. They do everything else. My 9500 has been a work horse and currently the only machine I own that does 24/192 decoding.

 

[Happy Camper]

How much of what type material do you have? More cds, more SACD, more computer file?

 

[denp]

Arcam DV139

 

[carledwards]

I'm in virtually the same boat as the OP and looking for recommendations! Thanks.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

If you can find a Parasound D200 in good to great condition (used) it's a terrific Universal player (priced from 600 to 700US on average for a 8/10 condition ranking). It's built like a tank.

Peete.

 

[evanft]

Waitaminute.....what about a Squeezebox? I mean, if I did that, I would need:

$250-$350 Squeezebox itself
$700-$1000 Good DAC
$20 Digital coax cable
$80 Good CD drive for ripping
$160 2 1 TB drives
$150 NAS box (or maybe just build own)

So that's around $1500. Maybe that's a better option?

 

[iriverdude]

Well I've got a couple of Squeezebox's, if I had the choice of a disc based player, or Squeezebox I'll choose the Squeezebox. Can't fit entire library on lossless onto a single Blu-Ray disc. I'd recommend using a old PC, it's cheaper. Unless you want something ready made, I'd look into the new 1.2ghz Qnap models. I've got a TS-209 and with custom browse it's a little sluggish (once in menu though it's fine) and also fine during playback.

But you still probably want BD player for movies.

 

[shuttleboi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanft /img/forum/go_quote.gif Waitaminute.....what about a Squeezebox? I mean, if I did that, I would need: $250-$350 Squeezebox itself $700-$1000 Good DAC $20 Digital coax cable $80 Good CD drive for ripping $160 2 1 TB drives $150 NAS box (or maybe just build own) So that's around $1500. Maybe that's a better option?

In your original post, you said you wanted SACD. From my understanding, SACD content cannot be ripped to file. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.