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Oppo 105, Oppo 205, or Legacy SACD (Esoteric, Cary CD 306, etc)

I currently have a Cary DAC-100t for all of my digital files, but I would like to purchase some sort of CD & SACD transport / player. The challenge in my decision lies in that the Cary DAC does not support DSD and likely cannot be used unless the player has conversion to PCM in the player. I know that Oppo has this capability, but I also want to spend a budget like that on equipment that is solely invested in audio. So I guess my question is, with a budget of no more than $2000, should I settle for one of the Oppos, or go for something more legacy like an Esoteric DV-60, Cary CD 306, etc?

I would love to find something that has a solid transport and laser, can upsample CDs well, and either has a great internal DAC for SACD or has DSD to PCM/Redbook conversion so I can use my existing standalone DAC.

System includes
VPI 299D integrated
Audio Art SC-5se (R) and Clear Day Cables Double Shotgun
Alta Audio Lelantos
DH Labs Corona power cables
PS Audio Power Plant P3

The Lelantos are resolving yet refined and all of my stages are all tube, so I don’t mind a player that can present serious detail.
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atacgene
24 posts
 
I am planning to get the Sony SA-60, supposedly the last 1 bit DSD SACD player before they switched to the more modern multi-bit Chips . Suppose to have a great SACD sound. PS audio would be a new player that will do SACD  and CD but probably works best with its own PS digital streamer or other DAC with I2S input
mahler123
3,314 posts
 
I would get the Oppo 205 for your SACDs.  It will also output DSD over HDMI.  It will be an upgrade over your current system for SACD replay and then when your budget allows it can be a transport for a DAC that will accept DSD over HDMI, such as the Bryston DAC 3
atacgene
24 posts
 
Thanks for your reply. That would be a future plan perhaps but for now I am thinking of doing M-ch direct. There is no m-ch DAC that accepts native DSD. They all are converted to Pcm. Though Bryston may make one I hope, to compete with exasound? 205 would be for Blu-ray surround in future. I am now buying an esoteric SA-60. It is supposed to be better than stock 205, which I was told not much better than 95. A mod 205 may perhaps be best, but then a mod esoteric may possibly be even better. I will see,  and since resale value of esoteric is quite good I can still sell later if I get 205 that can actually replace it.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,871 posts
 
@stereo5   What makes you think a Esoteric DV60 won't do DSD?? Clearly you have no idea what a Esoteric DV 60 is...
atacgene
24 posts
 
a response year later ! The SA-60 works great for M-ch SACD! There is however some noise on the main 2-ch. probably need some repair/refurbishment.  Is it worth getting a mod ? Is SACD going to continue to be made? There are still lots on sale, new productions. 
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