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For SACD fans only

Want to upgrade my SACD playback, currently have Oppo 105-D, which has been fine, but the weak link in my setup. I have a Hegel H390, Raidho XT-2’s and Ansuz cabling throughout, including the DTC distribution box. Currently love the system synergy, sound and setup, but want to upgrade.

So my question for the forum is-- I have narrowed it down to a couple of options and would like to hear thoughts...

1- PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport, which is now on sale for $4000, and a DAC. I could wait for PS Audio’s forthcoming new Directstream DAC, which they say will utilize the same galvanic isolation in their Perfectwave transport. The reason for the match is the I2S connection, which can deliver "pure" DSD. I believe that a Sony chip is necessary. Another DAC option is to go with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC for around $5000. It has the I2S input, but I don’t believe it will play the "pure" DSD layer.

2- Esoteric K-05XD or Esoteric K-07XD SACD player. Two players not currently available but will be in the next month or 2, for I believe $8500 and $7500 respectively. Esoteric has confirmed to me that they will be available shortly. The nice thing here is that you get 2-in-1, both a high-end transport (one could argue the best available transport at any price) and also a fantastic DAC. I have read reviews of the Esoteric K-03XD, which is available and has the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC. The K-05XD and K-07XD will also use the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC-- reviews are that this is a big step up from previous Esoteric models, and sound fantastic. They have a USB input and other digital inputs, so you can utilize the internal DAC if I should use a server or go the streaming route-- or both.

Currently don’t use a server or streamer, but both options give me that flexibility. One box or 2 boxes? (Holo May DAC would make it 3 boxes!)

Won’t be able to audition unless I buy both and then return one.

Thoughts? Thanks


fred60
mahler123
3,337 posts
 

@ghdprentice You’re not trying to be argumentative? I’d like to see what happens when you do try. OP states in the post title for SACD lovers. Yes, it is a free forum, but that doesn’t mean you have to derail it. There is no law preventing me from ringing my neighbors doorbell and telling them how much I hate their landscaping choices, but the general consensus in the neighborhood would be that I would be an ahole for doing so.  I generally enjoy your posts, particularly about music, but come on.

I love SACDs, have a DAC and a player that can extract and play the DSD layer in my two channel system, as well as playing them in my multichannel system. It is a rare redbook CD that comes close to them. High Resolution downloads do, however. As for vinyl? I ain’t going there.

Why is it that when someone posts a question here asking about CD or SACD or Blu Ray he gets flooded with posts telling him to listen to lps or buy a streamer, even if they have made it abundantly clear that their interest is in hard disc replay?

@fred60 , I will follow your exploration of Esoteric with interest. Please keep posting

jymc
90 posts
 

I know thread is nearly 3 yrs old and I’m not much of a technical guy. First, playing a Redbook 16 bit CD from virtually ANY high quality transport, through a Holo May KTE DAC is generally going to sound amazing. If that transport is also a SACD transport, how can you be absolutely certain that the analog signal sent to your speakers from the Holo DAC is in fact the SACD layer versus the Redbook layer from hybrid SACDs?? Again, that Redbook layer is taken to a different level through the Holo. And I’ve been told repeatedly (by techies waaaay smarter than me) that many people connect SACD transports to high quality DACs, but DO NOT realize the transport is sending only the Redbook layer of the SACD. Hence, despite hearing fantastic music through your speakers, it is actually not SACD quality but just really high quality Redbook.

Lastly, an owner of a highly reputable high end audio store in Scottsdale, AZ told me today that matching the brands of the SACD transport and the DAC is often the only sure way of knowing that the DAC is receiving and processing higher than 16 bit data.

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,073 posts
 

Don’t you think using single layer sacd disc will not work if the DAC is not sacd capable. 

sharri
114 posts
 

Dear JYMC,

Yes, you are correct that you are not much of a technical guy. The digital out connection from any sacd player only outputs pcm signal, or cd signal. The only exception to this is if a player has HDMI output. That will allow you to send a DSD signal to another HDMI equipped item, either a dac or AV receiver with an HDMI input.

Yes, the store owner in Scottsdale was correct that sacd transports can only be connected to same brand DAC, as that requires a proprietary transmission method only available to that particular brand. 

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,689 posts
 

fred60

Which SACD player did you purchase?

 

Happy Listening!

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