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Looking at a new non-SACD player, but still own lots of SACDs

I am looking at upgrading my current CD player, my budget is $3K ish, certainly below $5K.  The two units I am looking at in the $3K range,  Moon Simaudio 260 and Rega Saturn R, do not play SACDs. Rather than give up my SACD collection, I wonder if anyone has any experience with a work around. 

The one thought that occurs to me is to find a modest priced SACD player (used) with a digital/optical out as a transport only and run it into the DAC of the new unit.  Will this work or is the SACD circuity in the DAC and not the transport/laser?

Are any other options?

Or should I be looking at a different new CD player that plays SACDs? 
meiatflask
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,682 posts
 
Agreed stereo5

Oppo is a machine for those interested in convenience.
It cannot compete w/ higher end spinners.
nordicnorm
313 posts
 
I agree with suebart1's recommendation. The Sony S9000ES is a very good performer that can now be found for under $300. It outputs the DSD signal without first converting it to PCM.

I recently upgrade from my trusty S9000ES to an Esoteric DV050S.

For listening to CDs, I had bypassed the Sony's DAC and ran the digital out into a Teac UD-501. I was surprised how close it came to the DV-50S, given the price differential. SACD, on the other hand, wasn't even close. 
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@nordicnorm are you sure it outputs DSD? According to the manual the alternative digital output is 96khz/24bit vs 48khz/pcm (i.e. Red book). So two levels of PCM output but no DSD. As previously noted outside computer formats for downloaded files output of native DSD from SACDs is limited to manufacturer proprietary formats

still looks like a good player however at the price 
nordicnorm
313 posts
 
@folkfreak 

Poor wording on my part. I should have said that the signal from SACDs remain DSD until decoded into analog. There is no PCM conversion that occurs along the way.
mahler123
3,334 posts
 
Investigate the Bryston BDA 3 DAC.  It accepts DSD from HDMI.  Cost $3500 around your budget.
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