Itching for an SACD player


I presently own an Audio Aero Prima. I was good to go (and still may) this Spring with an APL Denon 3910, but the purchase of new speakers, cabling etc. may mean a hold on the APL. What is out there in the way of SACD/CD player that will sound significantly better than my Prima, and do SACDs? Mods and used are cool, as well. I just don't think I will be able to go for $6.5k for the APL, and with the way digital is going, the APL may be dated by the time I receive it. Not really, of course, but you get my drift? thanks in advance. peace, warren
128x128warrenh
You won't go wrong with a Modwright 9000ES (w/ Bon Mods) or a Modwright 999ES, in that order. Great players for the $$. The 999ES easily bettered an AA Prima DAC mkII when I had both in my system concurrently.
As well as the excellent options Tvad mentions above you may also consider TRL.

TRL offers many options at bargain prices, which may get you by for a while. :)

Best,

Jack
Sony DVP-NS900V modded by TRL. If you can find one used the cost including mods will be in the $1250 - $1500 neighborhood.
I know two people who have modded Sony SACD players. One was the SCD 777es and the other was XA 777es. The SCD was better to start and even though the guy with the XA had more done, I still think the SCD 777es sounds better.

You can buy a used SCD 777es for about $1200 (I've looked for myself but, just can't afford it) and depending on what level of mods, hopefully including the new transport, you can get away with ONLY spending $2500, but having a basically new (the only moving parts in it will have been replaced if you get the transport) and very good sounding CDP.