Please recommend SACD player under $6K - "warm"

I am using a Xindak SCD-2 with NOS tubes and a special mod. Contact me if you are interested.

You might consider a Sony player with Modwright Signature Truth mods. This includes a tube output stage that some might describe as "warm". I like to call it neutral because warm implies rolled off highs. While this is not a cheap option, it can be less expensive than some of the other choices.

I just purchased a Sony 9000ES with this mod and am very pleased. I plan to publish a review as soon as I get a better handle on the sound and have time to put my thoughts into the computer.

Happy listening,
gofastang

I would check out the Marantz SA14. A new mk2 has been out for about six months. It has balanced outputs and I would discribe its sound as more warm or laid back as far as CD players go. Its redbook performance is outstanding. List price is $3000. I love mine.

Save yourself some money and time. Life is good with a Consonance Reference SACD 2.0. I was going to have my SCD-1 tricked out the rest of the way by Modwright when I looked at the cost. I sold the Sony, bought a Consonance (it has a tube output) and pocketed the change. This also helped to fund my daughter's wedding. I have not looked over my shoulder since. Quest for Sound also says the unit has many reviewers clamouring for it and 2 of those soon-to-be-published reviews by well regarded on-line magazines kept the unit it is so good.

I have not missed the Sony at all!!

imo, the Esoteric and the MF Tri Vista are very nice musical players. no lean/cold sound from these players. an even better player would be the classe sacd player but at twice the price of the above units. all sony's (imo) tend to have a lean sound (especially in cd playback) but with the right mods/dac, can sound very good. i am using an external tube dac with my sony 9000es (for cd playback) and has opened up the sound and tamed the harshness that the sony exhibited before. it comes close to my $3000 cd only player, plus it has sacd plyback. the sacd playback from the esoteric and mf players sound more musical than the sony's i have auditioned (scd-1, 777es, 9000es). my opinion of course. you would need to audition for yourself because only you can determine what sounds good to you. I have auditioned several modwrights modified players and he does an excellent job at bringing out the best in sony players.