Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?

On this I am not confused.

Yes, every SACD has a standard resolution CD layer, I am not talking about this CD layer, this allows an SACD to be played on standard CD players.

Certain classical labels offer SACD’s with their Hi-Rez stereo layer in PCM, BIS Records is one such label.

Channel Classics, another state of art label, offers all their SACD’s in DSD, again we are talking about the Hi-Rez stereo layer.

I just went to the BIS label site and I can find no information regarding what you describe.

Perhaps you are misunderstanding the way the label records versus encodes the SACD. The BIS SACD page does indicate they record in high resolution PCM. Then they encode the PCM as DSD on SACD.

If I'm mistaken, please give me an example of what you're referring to because I'm interested in what these discs are.

SACD is encoded as DSD, in all circumstances. That's what makes it an SACD. There is no high resolution PCM on an SACD.

I think we can agree that an SACD-hybrid disc CAN have cd quality audio as an additional layer, but not higher than cd 44.1/16 bit quality.

Both are quite good, but clearly not "reference" players.  Jez sayin', and I run an Oppo CDP.  

Whitestix, I think we've pretty much brought that one to it's conclusion, but I'll say it again: one man's reference is another man's crap. It's all about what you can afford, baby.

@rnrmf1971 ,
I agree with you. There is no such SACD disc that has hi-rez PCM.

Ok I have not heard the Oppo but I will give you my take.  I own a Rega Isis cdp.  This is a top of the line player and believe me I still can't believe how it competes with my very good vinly system.  Well the Isis needed a repair that would take 2 - 3 weeks and I used the then budget darling Sony Playstation 1 box.  Just like the Oppo it was touted as a giant killer sounding as good as any $3000 player.  For the 3 week period I actually enjoyed the Playstation but when I inserting the Rega Isis I then realized how broken sounding the Playstation really was.  Perhaps rhe Oppo is the new playstation. By it self it sounds quite good but when compared to a quality cdp only it sound inly ok.