refurbished NAD M5 vs new SCD-XA5400ES

FOLLOW UP.........I just checked the Sony website.
I see the new SACD player DOES have balanced out.

INTERESTING.............

Yes The M5 has balanced out, as the M3 Integrated has balanced in. I forgot about the HDCD, and HDCD is not totally dead. The latest Gold Cd releases from Audio Fidelity, mastered by Steve Hoffman are HDCD. My guess is they both have strengths, and you will always have someone either that does not like a unit, while the next guy says it blows everything away ? Crazy Hobby !

So are we agreed that For around a $1000, for 2 channel SACD, the refurbished ND M5 and the new Sony SCD XA5400ES are the best choices?

ie they would sound better than some of the older used marantz in the same price range, or even the used SCD777es which is slightly more expensive?

Thanks

The Sony has balanced XLR stereo outputs as well as multichannnel HDMI output.

Kal

Where are you getting the Sony around $1000?