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Need a SACD DVD player on a low budget.

I am looking for a SACD player with:
A. High-end analog stereo RCA output.
B. No fan.
C. Ideally, it would also play DVD with 1080p upscaling via a HDMI output.

Target budget is $300 total, maximum up to $333, including shipping. Obviously at this price point, used is fine.

Analog stereo output is a requirement because my receiver is analog stereo only.

My original idea was to find a BluRay/Universal player that has great analog audio out, but my research points to the following, which are all outside my budget:
Oppo BDP-83SE, Oppo BDP-95, Oppo BDP-105, Marantz UD7007.
Even with these players, reviewers say they are not as good via analog RCA out as older non-bluray players. Therefore I scaled back and eliminated BluRay from the requirement to get within budget, since sound quality is paramount.

An alternative would be to get a preamp/processor to provide high quality analog stereo outputs downmixed from HDMI inputs, and get a cheap universal player as a transport. If I had multiple HDMI inputs, I could also connect my Roku Streaming Stick +. Roku is currently connected to the TV, whose stereo analog out is probably not very hifi.  Maybe I am better off getting a preamp/processor so I can play BluRay from a cheap universal transport, even if that means I have to bump up the budget by $50-100. I just don’t know the preamp market at all yet. Thoughts?

For DVD players, I have read people praising the following:
Oppo DV-980H
Denon DVD-2910, DVD-3910, DVD-2930ci, DVD-3930ci

What would you recommend?

FYI, my system is described in my profile.
128x128sccaracerx
sccaracerx's avatar
sccaracerx OP
4 posts
 
glupson,

I agree, I'll explicitly add "SACD out as DSD over HDMI" to my player criteria, even though I'm not able to use it yet.

You have a good point about the old Denon lasers.  The good news is, I think I've seen parts on ebay, and I am the kind of guy who could probably do the swap.  I should heed your warning and verify parts availability, and probably include a spare or two in the total cost.  Also, I should research the repair to be sure it is not beyond my skills and tools. 

Frankly, with any player of the age we're talking about, I should expect a laser failure, and anticipate the availability, cost and difficulty of repair.  That may eliminate some models from consideration, and it might tip the scales in favor of the AVR + newer player solution.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
sccaracerx,

I actually own one 2910 and that is how I got aware of that problem. It plays SACDs and DVDs without any problem. CDs depend on your luck. Well, that is how it was last time I tried in 2015 or so. Unfortunately, it is very inconveniently located right now so I cannot donate it to you.

As a player, it is a good one when it works and, in case you are interested in that, it can be very easily cracked to become region-free.

I did look the parts up at some point and they were available while the procedure appeared to have been a bit finicky but not that hard for someone with a steady hand.

All the drives are prone to failing but it seems that this particular Denon batch was at the extreme of the Gaussian curve. I have some SONY CD players from 1980s that were (in 2015) still partying as if was 1985. Of course, they are strictly CD and SACD/DVD part may add complexity.
loomisjohnson
1,943 posts
 
i've had bad luck with the denon 2910 and 3930; per mahler i'd look at pioneer elite 79av or 59av which are cheap used and reliable
tostadosunidos's avatar
tostadosunidos
1,197 posts
 
Check out the Oppo BDP-83SE (special edition). They took a good video player and added 400 dollars worth of analog sound upgrades. However, as I understand, the upgrades only affect the two-channel stereo analog output. You shouldn’t have a problem finding info on this machine. They have sold used on ebay recently for 112.50 and up (mostly around 150-200). I got mine locally for 100 bucks and it sounds great IMO. I haven’t used it for video, just CD’s, but it gets good reviews.Note:  if you buy, make sure the model number includes "SE" or you're not getting the sonic upgrades
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
The 2910 laser assembly is available as shipped in the USA, for about $40-45, all in.(ebay)

It would take me less than 30 minuets to swap a new one in. You may time me if you wish...  (from sealed unit to sealed unit)

the 2910 is also a decent base for modding out the analog audio section. Socket the opamp (put in a dual opa627 adapter, etc), modify the power supply for the audio and digital section, etc.
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