dedicated CD/SACD player anyone?

[davee70]

When I first began thinking about upgrading my stereo system I thought I wanted a "universal" player but I have come to the conclusion that with my focus on music only, it is pointless to get any player that also plays DVDs. (Although the few PCM DVD-A disks I have sound great on an inexpensive DVD player, the Dolby Digital ones sound like the sonic equivalent of velveeta cheese.)

Now, after accumulating a considerable number of hybrid SACDs, I have decided I am overdue. I want a dedicated CD/SACD player and I want it now!!! So don't hold back. I need your thoughts and opinions on that perfect CD/SACD player for an audiophyte that appreciates both quality and value. I know there must be a few audiophiles out there that still listen to music on a dedicated, audio-only system.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I know there must be a few audiophiles out there that still listen to music on a dedicated, audio-only system.

Probably not here. Such a system is over hyped. No real need for it as the universal players are very good. Besides, you might change your mind about DVD-A with multi channels.

 

[w.e-coyote]

I have to agree with mtrycrafts here, I am not aware of dedicated Audio SA-CD players out in the field. One of the reasons most probably is that the SA-CD and DVD-A standards are so close to the DVD (-Video) standard that there is no point in making an audio-only version.

 

[outsider]

MARANTZ

I'm with you on the dedicated audio only system, however I'm looking at doing a nice CD player with highend headphones.

 

[t3031999]

Here is a working link to the Marantz SA-CD player mentioned above.
http://us.marantz.com/Products/1644.asp

As a word of caution, that is a stereo only player so it will not be able to play multichannel SACDs.

Here is the marantz that can play multichannel SACDs
http://us.marantz.com/Products/598.asp

 

[davee70]

Here is a working link to the Marantz SA-CD player mentioned above.
http://us.marantz.com/Products/1644.asp

As a word of caution, that is a stereo only player so it will not be able to play multichannel SACDs.

Here is the marantz that can play multichannel SACDs
http://us.marantz.com/Products/598.asp

Looks like the multichannel player (Marantz SA8260) is generating complaints about TOC read problems http://www.audioreview.com/cat/digital-sources/cd-players/marantz/PRD_143997_1586crx.aspx

and the stereo-only player (Marantz SA8001) isn't out yet.

Any other ideas?

 

[shokhead]

When I first began thinking about upgrading my stereo system I thought I wanted a "universal" player but I have come to the conclusion that with my focus on music only, it is pointless to get any player that also plays DVDs. (Although the few PCM DVD-A disks I have sound great on an inexpensive DVD player, the Dolby Digital ones sound like the sonic equivalent of velveeta cheese.)

Now, after accumulating a considerable number of hybrid SACDs, I have decided I am overdue. I want a dedicated CD/SACD player and I want it now!!! So don't hold back. I need your thoughts and opinions on that perfect CD/SACD player for an audiophyte that appreciates both quality and value. I know there must be a few audiophiles out there that still listen to music on a dedicated, audio-only system.

So how do you watch movies if at all,VHS? What happens if you want to listen to DTS Discs.

 

[outsider]

Here's a few more:

Krell SACD Standard

Sony

Shanling

Music Hall Maverick

I think I remember seeing a few others in the past, but I can't remember where I saw them.
Due to the prices on some of these, you might be better off getting a nice universal player.

 

[davee70]

So how do you watch movies if at all,VHS? What happens if you want to listen to DTS Discs.

I don't watch movies, only concert videos. I have one DVD player that I use to watch NTSC videos and another for PAL and an inexpensive analog TV I borrowed from a friend when mine died (after 20 years of exemplary service) that doesn't have a video input but has an exceptional picture nevertheless when connected thru the RF input. I see no point in wading into the morass of upconversion scalers and deinterlacers. When the price of Blu ray/HDTV bottoms out I might think about something like that. In the meantime I want to be able to listen to the SACD layer on my hybrid CDs. Oh, and I don't own any DTS discs.

 

[Sleestack]

There are quite a few dedicated SACD players out there. I have the Classe Omega SACD2. There is also the EMM Labs CDSD/DAC6E, TEAC Esoteric X-01 and X-03 and players by companies like Wadia, Linn, etc.

I use a Denon 5910 for movies and a Bel Canto PL-1A for SACD, DVD-A and CDs in my 5.1 system. I use the Classe SACD2 in my 2 channel system.

 

[outsider]

There are quite a few dedicated SACD players out there. I have the Classe Omega SACD2. There is also the EMM Labs CDSD/DAC6E, TEAC Esoteric X-01 and X-03 and players by companies like Wadia, Linn, etc.

I knew there were some others, I just couldn't remember them....

 

[davee70]

There are quite a few dedicated SACD players out there. I have the Classe Omega SACD2. There is also the EMM Labs CDSD/DAC6E, TEAC Esoteric X-01 and X-03 and players by companies like Wadia, Linn, etc.

I use a Denon 5910 for movies and a Bel Canto PL-1A for SACD, DVD-A and CDs in my 5.1 system. I use the Classe SACD2 in my 2 channel system.

Ok, those are great ideas but I can't afford any of them. Maybe I need to set an upper limit, say dedicated CD/SACD players under $1000?

 

[outsider]

Ok, those are great ideas but I can't afford any of them. Maybe I need to set an upper limit, say dedicated CD/SACD players under $1000?

In that case, the Marantz will probably be your best bet.

 

[shokhead]

Ok, those are great ideas but I can't afford any of them. Maybe I need to set an upper limit, say dedicated CD/SACD players under $1000?

And why not any DVD-A?

 

[davee70]

And why not any DVD-A?

For the simple reason that with DVD-A you end with the focus being on the video and all the issues associated with upconversion, scaling, deinterlacing, etc. etc. If there was a DVD-A player out there that makes no pretense of being a great video player, I suppose I might consider it. But even then, my video system, such as it is, is separate from my audio system. So, it would be mighty inconvenient to have to add the video capability just so I can navigate through the disk. The few DVD-A titles I have I can play on a regular DVD player and at 24-bit/96 kHz the PCM disks sound great but as I said before, the DD ones are downright awful to listen to. The whole thing is really inconvenient because if you want to listen to say, track 10 you can't just punch in 10 on the remote. The makers of DVD-A disks want you to listen to the music the way you watch a movie which is not the same thing, unless it's opera or orchestral music. How many DVD-A titles are there for orchestra? SACD wins on that score by a wide margin.

 

[outsider]

davee70-

did you ever look at the Sony players?
I know they have the one for $3000, but I think they offer some <$1000 models, as well.

 

[KENDOMUSIC]

Sony SACD Players

Sony has a bunch of SACD players from $150 to $3500 range. I am set to purchase a Sony CE595 myself.

 

[shokhead]

For the simple reason that with DVD-A you end with the focus being on the video and all the issues associated with upconversion, scaling, deinterlacing, etc. etc. If there was a DVD-A player out there that makes no pretense of being a great video player, I suppose I might consider it. But even then, my video system, such as it is, is separate from my audio system. So, it would be mighty inconvenient to have to add the video capability just so I can navigate through the disk. The few DVD-A titles I have I can play on a regular DVD player and at 24-bit/96 kHz the PCM disks sound great but as I said before, the DD ones are downright awful to listen to. The whole thing is really inconvenient because if you want to listen to say, track 10 you can't just punch in 10 on the remote. The makers of DVD-A disks want you to listen to the music the way you watch a movie which is not the same thing, unless it's opera or orchestral music. How many DVD-A titles are there for orchestra? SACD wins on that score by a wide margin.

I get DVD-A for the music and as far as the video,its mostly not,just a picture for each song and you dont have to look at it.

 

[davee70]

Sony has a bunch of SACD players from $150 to $3500 range. I am set to purchase a Sony CE595 myself.

Thanks for the idea on the CE595. Of course, I'd like to have a recommendation. So when you get yours, let me and everyone esle know what you like and don't like about it. Will you being using it with a stereo or multi-channel set-up? What kind of speakers are you listening on? At the price of the CE595 you could load up on quite a few SACDs.... Dylan, Kinks, Stravinsky, Ravel, etc. I'm really looking forward to the hi-rez on orchestral music especially. There's only so much sound you can squeeze on to a CD.

I would readily trade up for better sound quality but I don't want to pony up to one of those super-priced boutique players either.

 

[Tempest]

Sony SCD-C2000ES

I have put a lot of hours in on a Sony SCD-C2000ES and think it is quite the player for the money...can be had for around $300 and comes with a 5 year warranty.