Beyond SACD with Redbook: Price No Object


I just read the SACD/DVD-A is Dead thread which bummed me out a bit as I have been pondering the purchase a Sony SCD-1.

If it is true that redbook has already or will soon eclipse SACD, is there any consensus on state of the art CD players or DACs that can actually approach the fun of analogue.

Some of you have suggested that the Sony SCD-1 offers glorious redbook, the new Musical Fidelity DAC seems to be chateau Lafite to some and snake oil to others.

Is there any consensus on world class, undisputed heavy weight champ redbook players and/or DACs these days?

I would especially appreciate your opinions on what you think is the best of the best -- not "sleepers", good for their price range etc.

I don't mind spending the big bucks, just want to enjoy music again.
cwlondon
I agree that SACD and DVD-audio are totally dead plain and simple. Absolutly no quality software!!! Too late they have missed the window of opportunity. I would spend all you want on a great cd player like 47labs or Audiomeca with no concern of needing a new player any time soon. There will be totally new and better formats before SACD and DVD-audio have any idea what happened which will be a long time from now. Its about the music, buy a nice turntable and pick up a gazillion cheap records for less than the cheapest SACD/DVD players!
Mike is damn right. Even though i have a lot of CD's collection but i have to be honest that SACD is much better than my CD's.

SACD is coming and we rather get ready and even support them.

If you really love music = Vinyl
If you can't live with Vinyl = SACD
Mikelavigne, excellent post with great insight to your thinking and system preferences. I must say I wish more than anything that we were in the same city.

I and others in my audio group appear to have a great deal in common with you when it comes to musical priorities.

And to Audio999, nice short and to the point !
Albert, thanks for the kind comments. you have set the standard around here for enlightened musical direction for as long as i've been participating on Audiogon and the feeling is mutual on my desire to listen to your system(s).

the "less is more" tube-based, vinyl-lovin, shared musical pleasure approach to this hobby has resulted in considerable enjoyment, satisfaction and friendship for myself. i consider myself very lucky to be having such great fun.
Cwlondon: I have the Audio Meca Mephisto transport that I originally purchased with a Dodson Audio Dac. I upgraded the Dac last fall with the Audio Meca Enkianthus Dac. These are magic together in my system (Aloia pre-amp, Plinius amps, Dunlavy V speakers, audio techne interconnects and audio techne CD transformer. I use the sony as a one box player for DVD. I used to listen to some SACD, but that has gone by...