marantz sa-11 or cary 306 sacd

my 2 cents... I heard the SA-11 and I actually prefered the older SA-14. I thought the SA-11 sounded too laid back for me. I've not heard the Cary, but people are saying mostly great things about it.

Question: What do you think of the XA777ES? If it's a little bit too cold or analytical for you, than the SA-11 may be the right direction for you. But try to hear the 14, too.

For reference, I actually prefer the more analytical sound of the Sonys (I own the SCD-XA9000ES).

Modding your XA777ES may also be a good, cost-effective, upgrade option. Look into it.

Cheers.

Tom

Sony has not made an SACD player that did redbook well. Even my XA9000ES, which supposedly upsamples the redbook data to DSD, sounds better through a DAC. I would guess that you'll be happier with the redbook play with either the Marantz or the Cary. (Or, if you don't mind having two players, I hear the Rega Apollo is the redbook player to hear these days.). I wouldn't recommend mods to the XA777ES if improved redbook play is your goal. I had another Sony modded, and the sound was definitely improved, but retained the same sonic character.

Cheers.