Rewind Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I am looking at upgrading from my current Sony (low end) sacd player, for something that has exceptional SQ. Please recommend me a player, new or used, regardless of price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Bang for the buck: Marantz SA800x series. Do It All - Oppo 105D or Cambridge Audio equivalent. Mid Tier: Marantz SA reference series. 11S3 would be a good step up over the SA800x series. Next step up Esoteric K07/05 Custom discrete DSD DAC series: Playback Designs MPS-5 or EMM Labs XDS1 Silly money range - dCS Vivaldi 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 can highly recommend the marantz sa players...or as I did buy a luxman they make lovely sacd players. if dont mind older the sony scd-xa9000es is a stunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill125812 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Yamaha also put out a couple of great sounding SACD players. The 1000 and 2000 models Great write ups 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ufo Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Yamaha upgraded 1000 & 2000 models to 1100 & 2100. Just got 2100 and it is just magnificent, definitely kicks way above its weight(price), great to use as a DAC too. Installed proprietary USB driver and connected my PC thru USB, just brilliant sound 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbuck Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Accuphase DP720 is "only" around $20K in Australia. I am sure they sound very good - not that I am likely to ever hear one in my house ;-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joz Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Only 20k...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcamry Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 +1 for the Marantz SA8003 to SA8005 or SA11s1 to s3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stump Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Esoteric K-01X would be on my list! Stump 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe67 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I have the yammie cds2100 and like it alot , - wouldnt mind trying a cds3000 tho when they get a bit cheaper you could look for a used oppo 95 or 105 and be very happy as well. the marantz 8008 i think gets very good reviews and is well priced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Another vote for Accuphase SACD player here. Expensive but good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analog brother Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Esoteric K-01X would be on my list! Stump same here. even k-03 would suffice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromelang Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I am looking at upgrading from my current Sony (low end) sacd player What cheap low end Sony player are you using now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewind Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 What cheap low end Sony player are you using now? SCD-CE595 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Audio Aero now Vermeer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewind Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 Bang for the buck: Marantz SA800x series. Do It All - Oppo 105D or Cambridge Audio equivalent. Mid Tier: Marantz SA reference series. 11S3 would be a good step up over the SA800x series. Next step up Esoteric K07/05 Custom discrete DSD DAC series: Playback Designs MPS-5 or EMM Labs XDS1 Silly money range - dCS Vivaldi I came across the JLTi website yesterday. Can anyone comment on the Oppo 105D with the Level 4 mod on SACD playback? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollo Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 If you cannot go for the Esoteric or Accuphase the Marantz line is bang for the buck in direct comparison. A tad warm but never Hi Fi sounding. charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obitankenobi Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Have been enjoying the Meridian 808 for awhile now. Have previously listened to Krell SACD Standard, Marantz SA11s2, ATC CD2 and Accuphase (can't remember which model but it was meant to be comparable to the Marantz SA11s2 at the time. In order of most warm sound to least: Marantz Krell Meridian ATC Accuphase In order of soundstage largest to narrowest (approximate): Meridian Krell Marantz ATC In order of detail: Meridian ATC Krell Marantz (I couldn't tolerate the Accuphase for long so can't comment too much on Accuphase detail and soundstage) You kinda need to listen in your own system though as the "best CD player" is only possible to determine based on your other components. A detailed player may sound best in a valve heavy system and/or speakers which are a little rolled off. Cost is another determinant. No point in overspending and then not being able to spend on a large music collection to enjoy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jones99 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 (edited) For the absolute best SACD player regardless of price the top offerings below would be on my short list Soulution 746 CH Precision C1/D1 DCS Vilvaldi 4 Stack Emm Labs TX2 and DA2 Esoteric Grandioso P1/D1 Accuphase DP900/DC901 Playback Designs MPS5 Meridian does not play SACDs nice CD player though. Stay away from the Krell SACD Standard terrible player very detailed but hard edged digital sounding player and very unreliable ...failed on me 3 times before moving on. The Marantz SA11s2 is no giant killer but has an honest sound to it for the price...put it up against the top tier SACDs and its short comings will be blindingly obvious.In my experience stay away from modded players............never live up to expectations and horrendous resale value. Edited January 16, 2016 by Jones99 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollo Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Have been enjoying the Meridian 808 for awhile now. Have previously listened to Krell SACD Standard, Marantz SA11s2, ATC CD2 and Accuphase (can't remember which model but it was meant to be comparable to the Marantz SA11s2 at the time. In order of most warm sound to least: Marantz Krell Meridian ATC Accuphase In order of soundstage largest to narrowest (approximate): Meridian Krell Marantz ATC In order of detail: Meridian ATC Krell Marantz (I couldn't tolerate the Accuphase for long so can't comment too much on Accuphase detail and soundstage) You kinda need to listen in your own system though as the "best CD player" is only possible to determine based on your other components. A detailed player may sound best in a valve heavy system and/or speakers which are a little rolled off. Cost is another determinant. No point in overspending and then not being able to spend on a large music collection to enjoy. It appears Marantz scores in all three categories. Worth a try. charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewind Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thank you for all of the recommendations Has anybody had any experience with the Ayre C5 Evolution MP ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SL1200 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I have the Oppo 105 and am very happy with it. Crystal clear on SACD. I cannot comment on its CD ability as I play those from a different source. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loki65 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I am looking at upgrading from my current Sony (low end) sacd player, for something that has exceptional SQ. Please recommend me a player, new or used, regardless of price. I'd considered doing the same, but now am looking at a server based player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litejazz Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) can highly recommend the marantz sa players...or as I did buy a luxman they make lovely sacd players. if dont mind older the sony scd-xa9000es is a stunner You are so right! That 9000ES Sony was a stunning piece of equipment, I just sold mine, loved all the analog single ended multi-channel outputs, which were done away with on the 5400. I liked it so much more than my 5400, that everyone praises , however the cold hard facts are, Sony will no longer be supporting either of those pieces any longer, no service, no parts, only a letter saying we are so sorry for any inconvenience, which just never went very far with me. The original question by "Rewind" is much like how long is a piece of string, as some members have recommended units costing thousands of dollars. Everyone knows an Esoteric or the DCS is top shelf, arguably the best of the best, however with any of these products you have a point of diminishing returns. Owning those pieces goes beyond sound, it goes more to "Pride of Ownership". After many years, over 40, of purchasing very high end equipment, including lots of Jeff Rowland Design Group, and after selling all my high end Sony ES SACD players, as they are worthless in regard to support, I purchased the Oppo 105D. Any way you cut it, for what that product does, it's damn hard to beat, and it does SACD beautifully in native DSD, no converting to PCM. It does PCM beautifully, it does CDs beautifully, it does streaming beautifully, it's just the coolest most well built swiss army knife you could buy, you get so many machines in one. Are some of the Marantz SACD players great, SURE, why not, I just wanted one that did it all, saves so much space and wiring, and it does it all very well, so that would be my vote. When I rob my next bank, it will be a nice DCS or Esoteric, that is for sure, lots of extra transformer boxes, power supply boxes, battery supply boxes, no problem! Edited January 25, 2016 by Litejazz 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 I’m comparing Marantz sa11s2 vs Yamaha cds1000. Abit at odds as to what to pick as the player to keep Neo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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