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Help regarding SACD/CD players

Yes, I still spin the cd's, and I love them. I love shopping for them, organizing and reorganizing them (sometimes on the same day), admiring my organizational skills (and then lamenting my lack of them), and rediscovering that I own this-or-that-cd after almost buying it earlier that day. Consider it an irrational fetish, if you must; insist (to yourself) that I should grow up and join the streaming community; laugh at my growing collection of SACD's, declared all but dead years ago. But, if you have the kind of advice I'm after, please offer away.

I have a modest living room system, powered by a fabulous Luxman receiver from the late 1980's. I play my cd's through an NAD player (which I run through a Schiiit Audio Multibit DAC), and SACD's through a Yamaha BD/DVD/SACD/everything-else player.

Here's my question. Does it make better sense to:

1. Get a really good (within reason, and probably used) SACD/CD player to do all the work? Maybe something from Arcam or Marantz, or something in that general price range? Any suggestions on what I might look for?

2. Keep SACD-ing through the Yamaha, which sounds good, but replace the NAD with a transport (I like the Audiolab 6000CDT better than the Cambridge Audio), and then graduate to a better DAC? I have a whole lot of cd's, and relatively few SACD's, so the priority is with the former.  

3. Come up with some heretofore unthought of option? (Yes, I will likely secure a Bluesound Node 2i at some point, but I'm an inveterate incarnationalist and gotta have my discs, silver and vinyl. Cleaning, holding, admiring; they're like children! I love my babies.)

4. Just shut up and continue to play on what I have? My wife favors this option, though she has yet to learn that it is but one option. 

Thanks,
Tony


 
anton99

Showing 7 responses by anton99

anton99 OP
55 posts
 
To E: It usually depends on the cd. The Impex releases of the Three Blind Mice cd's sound extraordinary through the NAD/Schiit ("Blow Up" is outrageous). They're not SACD, but are probably the best sounding discs I own. Some Verve Master Editions also sound brilliant, as do the Bill Evans 20 bit cd's. The Gerry Mulligan 24/96 is also at the top. All through NAD/Schiit. And geesh, if that Boston remastered CD doesn't punch a hole through my chest and roof when I have the leisure and privacy to turn the volume knob up to 4-and-a-half. Maybe it's because it's really the only "hard rock" I play, and I've forgotten what it feels like listening to that stuff.

I don't run the Yamaha through the DAC. But a few SACD's are amazing, especially from Analogue Productions. (But not the "Chicago II" by MoFi.)

To Jazzman: SACD's, about 20 or so, with plans for more. The Chicago II has been the only one that's disappointed. CD's, about 1500, with more coming in; thanks, all who are getting rid of your cd's.

Budget-wise, I could probable go as high as $1500 for a player, or transport/DAC combo (say, $550 for the Audiolab new and the rest on a used DAC). Wiggle room might be there, and I'm open to suggestions and brands.

My preferred option at this point: Get a transport, upgrade the DAC, then in a few years down the road, possibly upgrade the DAC again. Incremental gains. 

To Jafant: Thanks. I like the looks of the Yamaha, and I have friends who keep telling me to check out their amps.

Advice?
anton99 OP
55 posts
 
B—

I'd lovelovelove a Luxman player. Luxman knows it, though, and is willing to hold out on their pricing and charge me a fortune, one I don't have.

I do worry about a used player, which is why I wonder if getting a really good DAC makes better sense? Use whatever player I have or get in the future as a transport, then.
anton99 OP
55 posts
 
The Yamaha is more of any entry level unit, not one of the big boys. I will try it, though.

I was actually looking at an SACD/CD player of theirs. Built like a tank, weighs 33 pounds, looks really cool. Goes for $1800 new, available for less at a bunch of places.

anton99 OP
55 posts
 
D—

Something like this? https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1bi9-oppo-with-modwright-and-nuforce-mods-bdp-83-se-cd-sacd-players
anton99 OP
55 posts
 
D—

No worries. Thanks for the information.

Question: You note the risk involved in buying older units. I've been warned against buying a used player of any kind that's over 2-3 years old, no matter the quality when built. Difficulty in replacing parts, too many moving parts to last a long time, that kind of thing.

Your thoughts? There's a Bel Canto SACD/CD player available at a great price, but it's over 10 years old. Likewise, I come across a lot of Oppo pieces when searching. Are all these choices that big a crapshoot? Should I focus on new players, or maybe just get a really good DAC and run my current players through it? I'm tempted to grab a used player, but don't know the wisdom in doing that. Thanks again.
anton99 OP
55 posts
 
Andera—

Yikes, didn't mean to push any buttons. I'm certainly prepared to be corrected, but I've both read and been told personally that buying a used player is to be avoided. I didn't follow that advice, actually, as my NAD cd player was a few years old when I bought it.

But the guy who most recently told me to avoid them has been in audio repair for almost 40 years; he works out of his home these days, mostly on McIntosh. I'd be glad if he was being overly cautious, as there are several players on Audiogon I've looked at longingly.

I've not a lot of experience here, so I gotta trust the word of someone else, at least till I gain some of that experience. And those someone elses have mostly been skeptical. I'll gladly balance their skepticism with your experience, though I will proceed with due caution; $ is involved, and I tend to keep things I buy for a long time.

Any brand suggestions on good cd or sacd/cd players you can make?  
anton99 OP
55 posts
 
That's a Sony universal player?
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