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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
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,350 posts
 
@anton99,
I agree with jazzman7 that you should get a DAC with DSD capabilities. While the D.BOB is a option for extracting DSD files, I think the better way to do is to snag a cheap Sony player from the ebay and rip all your SACDs into DSD files. A month back I ripped all my 140+ SACDs to DSD files. Did not realize that I had collected so many SACDs - I was thinking I had less than 50 :-)
But then you can just use the existing CD player as a transport for the new DAC and have a Network streamer to store and play your DSD files through the DAC.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I agree with Jazzman.  Go for a DAC first.  You can use the Yamaha as both SACD and digital out to the DAC.  If you go hard core on SACDs then upgrade later.  A single player should make your wife happy with the "mess".
I have a 105 for SACD/DVD-A and use the digital outputs to my Chord Hugo.  The Chord is a huge improvement on CD's and 2 track from hybrid SACDs.  It'a actually really simple to use one player to two inputs on your pre-amp.  
You need to try the Yamaha to your Schiit already.  I'll bet the NAD starts collecting dust (not because it's bad, just because it's not necessary).
anton99 OP
54 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.

richmos
124 posts
 
You can acquire a Marantz SA15se SACD player for around $1000. I too love CD's and SACD's and the Marantz I have plays both beautifully.
dorkwad
544 posts
 
Hey Tony,

Keep your eyes open for a used Modwright CD/SACD player. Ones form Sony or Oppo would be very good. The MW modifications are known for their excellence in sound. I’ve had 3 of them--Sony 9000, Sony 9100 both were Signature Truths, and currently have a Sony 5400 Signature Truth. I bought the 9000 for $650, got the 9100 from Dan Wright at MW for $1200 less the 9000 as trade--so about $600 with trade. Every now and then there is a Modwright modded player on the used sites.

Soundwise, they are stunning compared to your NADs--I had a NAD 502, 520, and a 542 prior to the MW’s. I liked the NADs too, but the MW’s are very close to world class in sound and Dan stands behind his stuff as good or better than any other manufacturer.

Bob


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