CD / SACD player

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

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I am thinking of getting a new disk transport. I have a few CDs which I don't play often because of how fond I am of DSD. So I was thinking of a SACD player.

Again, another area I am learning :).... in a player would I hook the digital output to the DAC for playing CDs (like I do now) and analog outputs to the pre-amp for SACDs?

Any suggestions on brands, models, etc? I really would prefer to not go over $1000 (or really close to this is possible), but would be happier to keep closer to $500. I have no interest in DVD/Bluray on this machine since it will be for the 2-channel audio system, however it appears as if most have the movie playing option also.

I would also love it if the player had balanced outputs :).

Thank you for input and suggestions!

Randy
 
It looks like the 95 is no longer available. They have a 105 model but that is pushing probably a tad higher than I wanted to go. For music only are these much better than the 103?
 
I was referring to used 95. Which you can get them around $600 these days and I found the 95 sounds better than 105 on 2 ch music playing.


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Well not sure, used is option or not. I would recommend the Marantz SA-15S1 as well.


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Hmmm.... I have heard a lot about the Oppo.... looks good, but the 105 seems a tad more. If I could find a used 95 maybe.... the one thing that concerns me is a friend told me that he and his brother both have had a lot of issues with their 105s. I guess they flake out a lot :(....

Maybe check into the Marantz...
 
Hard to find used players.... I am also a little hesitant on buying a used CD player... moving parts and all. I could get a Linn from someone I know but that is probably about 10 years old... and that makes me nervous :D...
 
Another question... I am thinking of a spinner for SACD... (but another format to collect... grrrr).... but...

Assuming a solid spinner, Oppo, Marantz, do the original CDs sound better than a flac rip or is the rip just as good?

I have a growing interest in SACD since I like DSD so much and there is a lot available in SACD that is not in DSD download, but if the players sound better with redbook CDs versus a rip then that may also help in the consideration.
 
I know it's a touch past your budget, but if I were to go for a SACD player, I'd definitely be going after that Yamaha CD-S1000, preferably in silver for me. Excellent reviews, solid construction and design, and it just looks damn good! Black of course would look great in your system.
 
I was always a Yamaha fan. I prefer the idea of a music only player versus one that also plays video (dvd / blu-ray). hmmmm.... another choice :)....
 
Randy Myers said:
Another question... I am thinking of a spinner for SACD... (but another format to collect... grrrr).... but...

Assuming a solid spinner, Oppo, Marantz, do the original CDs sound better than a flac rip or is the rip just as good?

I have a growing interest in SACD since I like DSD so much and there is a lot available in SACD that is not in DSD download, but if the players sound better with redbook CDs versus a rip then that may also help in the consideration.
Click to expand...

Randy, You probably know all of this but mentioning it just to make sure. I don't think an SACD spinner exists that will output the SACD digitally to your dac. I think the copy rights require the spinner's dac to do the conversion to analog. Accordingly, I think you will be constrained by the quality of the dac in the $1000 sacd spinner instead of your fine Wyred dac. (The only transports I am aware that can digitally output sacd use their own proprietary interface like esoteric, msb, dcs, etc. to the dac.) That said, the Oppo 95 has a pretty good dac for the price.

Why not just rip your sacd's and cd's to the Wyred MS-1 for $1199 msrp and be done?
 
Yes, I understand that SACD can not go through the DAC (thank you Sony :(), I would have to hook it directly to my pre-amp... I have ripped all my CDs and can play them from my dedicated music server. I absolutely love DSD and through research it appears that a lot of music is not being released in DSD downloads. So I was thinking about SACD so that these might be available. As far as I know it is not possible to rip SACD disks. I believe I read that the original generation play stations could but Sony quickly put a stop to that.

I currently do not own any SACD disks so this would mean starting to collect another format (grrrr).... it is also becoming apparent to get one I am happy with is going to cost from $1200-$1300 :(...

If they would just release more to DSD download market I would be a happy camper :)....
 
I have not heard of his solution :).... If this can be done then that would be a solution.

I heard that someone had a service out there that you could send your SACD to them and they would rip them for you.
 
There is a method detailed here for ripping DSD from SACDs using older Sony Playstations and associated software. That is what those offering such ripping services are using. More details can be found in several threads on audiocircle. Also as a point of interest, the Bryston BDA-3 DAC allows connection to SACD players with an HDMI output which provides direct DSD decoding from SACD discs.
 
Interesting. Sony shoots themselves in the foot so many times. It would not matter at all if they would just release more DSD to the download market. I am sure that a lot of it revolves around their worry of pirating and file sharing.

Unfortunately people such as me that always buys their music always gets the short end of the stick, so to speak. One bad apple and all.
 
audio.bill said:
There is a method detailed here for ripping DSD from SACDs using older Sony Playstations and associated software. That is what those offering such ripping services are using. More details can be found in several threads on audiocircle. Also as a point of interest, the Bryston BDA-3 DAC allows connection to SACD players with an HDMI output which provides direct DSD decoding from SACD discs.
Click to expand...

Bill, What sacd spinners output digital sacd on hdmi? It was my understanding this can only be done on inter-brand proprietary interfaces like I mentioned above in order to comply with Sony. Example: an Esoteric sacd digital via 6 pin works only with esoteric dacs and msb sacd i2s output works only with msb dacs.
 
I don't have any first hand experience with it but have read of some using Oppo players which output DSD through HDMI, as well as some other BluRay players which support SACD playback. This is the first standalone DAC that I'm aware of that provides such a connection for SACD direct decoding, and it supports native DSD (up to DSD256) or DoP (up to DSD128) on its USB input.
 
I have an Oppo BDP-95 that I bought used several years ago for $850 Cdn. I have had no problems at all with the player and SACD discs sound very good using it's own DAC. The video section of the player can be shut off as well as the display to reduce noise. For redbook I use it as a transport. It is also a very good video player for DVD and Blu-Ray and I stream Netflix and Youtube as well. Some people have complained about fan noise but I have never heard mine (is it even working?).

From my experience I wouldn't worry about reliability.
 
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