SACD Player

[SpikeX]

My father and I are looking for an SACD player to add to our Hi-Fi setup, but we're not quite sure where to start. We want something very high quality from a good manufacturer. Price range is up to €3,000.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Oliver :)]

Are you really looking for SACD or do you really just want a better source?

If you are after a better source... I would go and look up Isenberg Audio, inquire whether he currently has any worthwhile SACD-Players and discs around. Make an appointment if he does. No, scratch that, just make an appointment. Bring time, some favourite CDs and your father's favourite vinyl too...

€3k is... difficult. Is there a truly outstanding SACD player in that range? Do you just want stereo or multichannel? You would get something decent for much less from Denon, Sony, Pioneer and the like, all of which will quickly lose value due to rapid product circles. Up the ladder, Marantz may have something around 1,5k that does "just" stereo, so does Arcam with the CD37 (gee, its listed on Amazon...). The really interesting players — say from Linn or Naim — come in at higher prices when new. I guess if you're fine with "stereo only", something like the Arcam would be a good bet. It leaves you plenty of budget to sink here. Some folks say SACD is "not worth it" for stereo. I tend to diasgree.

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

Marantz reference SACD does stereo only i think. If you get a good SACD player, you might as well get one with multi channel support IMO. My 2 cents. Some of the albums really benefit from excellent multi channel mixes.

Think the Sony ES series might be worth considering.

 

[shamu144]

If I was looking for a reference SACD player today, it should definitely be compatible with computer playback systems. Otherwise, you will just end up spending lots of money on a source noone is willing to buy in 5 years time, when majority of audiophiles will have realized and assumed physical support is a dead end. Not a good investment.

My recommendation without a doubt is the new Esoteric SA50, though a little above your budget. But it's range of digital inputs (including USB input) makes it prepared to face the future for the next 30 years.

 

[SpikeX]

Thanks for the help! A multi-channel player would be best. I'll take a look at the SA50, shamu, and I'll talk to my dad about what exactly we need and if we could extend the budget a little.

 

[ldj325]

I don't want to rain on your parade, but are you sure you want to spend that kind of money on SACD? I like SACDs as I find them much better that regular CDs in the system I've had, so I've got nothing against them. But it seems that Sony is pulling or has already pulled the plug on SACDs. If you and your dad like classical music then you will have a selection of a few thousand titles to choose from. But if you like rock or more contempory music, then your selection will be very limited and is something to consider.

Also things are not totally settled yet, but if Blu-ray catches on then it contains high rez audio specs that might just be the next high rez audio format. (Blu-ray is being pushed because of it's picture quality, but as it also contains high rez audio capabilities, so high end audio may just be able to go along for the ride.) I know Neil Young has announced that he plans to release all his archives on Blu-ray.

So here is another option. You can get a Oppo DV-981HD for around $200 or a DV-980HD for around $170. (It is a little tricky right now as Oppos seems to be rolling out new models soon and discontinuing some/all these models.) But I imagine they will have a low cost player. These play CDs, SACD, and DVD-A. Or you could wait for their new Blu-ray player due at the end of April for approx. $500-600 which will also play CDs, SACDs, etc. Before you dismiss Oppo due to the price, you might want to read some of the reviews in Stereophile and the Absolute Sound on their SACD sound quality.

I have the DV-970 and have been quite happy with the SACD sound quality. Other than being a satisfied customer, I have no connection with Oppo.

As for me, I think SACDs are definately on the way out, and that might be followed sooner than we think by regular redbook CDs. So I am not willing to spend big bucks on either a CD or SACD player--unless I only planned to keep it for a few years.

So my recent digital upgrade was to get a DAC capable of 24bit 96 and 192K resolution as it seemed like a more flexible way to uprade my digital. Indeed now my regular CDs sound as good or better as my SACDs.

If money is less of an object for you then Ayre makes a very highly regarded universal player (the standard formats except Blu-ray) in the $5-6K region.

Good luck on your quest.

 

[intoart]

Is SACD worthwhile for a headphone setup, since headphones are strictly 2-channel? I thought that the primary advantage of SACD was the surround mix.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by intoart /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is SACD worthwhile for a headphone setup, since headphones are strictly 2-channel? I thought that the primary advantage of SACD was the surround mix.

Depends upon your headphones, your amp, your SACD-Player. SACD makes is comparatively easy to find good to outstanding masters, and the extended resolution and dynamic range can be a substantial advantage even in stereo. If your equipment is shoddy, it won't help much regardless, no matter how many channels.

 

[vcoheda]

i'm very happy with my cary 306 sacd. and the professional version is supposed to be even better. that would be one player to consider. i really like the emm labs stack as well.

 

[jpelg]

I am a believer in getting the best source you can afford. The benefits of hi-rez discs (SACD & DVD-Audio) can definitely be heard on a good headphone setup. Any of the flagship models in the $250 (street)-plus range, when coupled with well-matched amps, will show the differences handily.

That being said, not all SACD players sound the same. As with any other type of source, you have to find one whose sound signature is to your liking. I've owned Redbook sources that I preferred to cheaper SACD players I had, yet my current universal player bests anything else I've heard <$5000.

 

[vo328]

The Oppo BDP-83 should be out soon and looks quite promising.

 

[soundboy]

Or you can wait for the upcoming Marantz UD9004....

Just announced in Japan. While SACD and Blu-ray are the featured formats, it does play DVD-A as well.

And you can go here and click on the individual photos for a bigger view.

 

[thathertz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Or you can wait for the upcoming Marantz UD9004.... Just announced in Japan. While SACD and Blu-ray are the featured formats, it does play DVD-A as well. And you can go here and click on the individual photos for a bigger view.

Oh wow...that's looking really good. Totally agree.

SACD, whilst still a dying format, is worth considering IF you go for a
versatile player which supports Blu-ray also. I owned an Oppo dv-981h which
played CD, SACD and DVD-A. The difference between Cd and SACD in even
a modest system (headphone based or otherwise) is huge.

Personally, I would by an Oppo SACD player now - they are cheap and as
ldj325 said, don't discount them because they are relatively
inexpensive. When the more expensive SACD/Blu-ray players are available,
(such as the Marantz UD9004 mentioned by soundboy) THEN you can
spend your full budget after selling the Oppo.

Good luck and enjoy. I just wish I was in your position now!
Talk about win / win situation

 

[wavoman]

My (high end, to be honest) 2-channel-only SACD player (with a superb DAC built in) into a great HP amp and cans changed my life. Listening to the SACDs available -- and you can buy plenty -- is an unbelievable joy in 2-channel. I rush home from work -- and no matter how awful a day I had (in this economy friggen lethal) -- my mood is uplifted by beautiful music. Redbook cannot compare. Norah Jones SACD -- the emotion was so intense I had tears.

 

[soloz2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vo328 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Oppo BDP-83 should be out soon and looks quite promising.

it is very, very promising. Have had one for the last few months. Sound out of the dedicated stereo output is very, very similar to my Parts Connexion 1+ modded MH CD25 (currently has Burson Discrete Op-amps instead of the opa627). The MH edges it out slightly, but I'm not entirely sure I could reliably pick it out in a true double blind test.

I wouldn't call it a giant killer, but for what it is, it's better than it has right to be.