New cd player-- or should I get SACD?

Since you do like classical music I would say go for a modified Sony, Marantz, or Denon, SACD player from one of the reputable Modders (Underwood, Modwright, RAM, etc.) I say this because if you are a classical lover the RCA Living Stereo and Mercury Presence SACD collections (50-60 discs and counting) are worth the investment in SACD alone. And since you are going with a modded player the redbook CD will sound excellent too. There is lots of great classical music in SACD and there seems to be more coming out.

Universal player...see Marantz or Denon models in your price range. Redbook will be quite good (much, much better than you are used to) with the added SACD and DVD-A capability.

I think you want a "Universal" player. With a SACD player the PCM D/A may be a second-rate afterthought. If you have a player with DVDA capability this means that you have an up-to-date 24 bit D/A that can be run up to 196KHz, and that can't hurt CDs.

I bought a used Musical Fidelity A5 player here on A'gon for $2000. Couldn't be happier, it was a huge leap forward in musicallity from my Marantz CD67SE with MF X10D tube buffer. Lot's more air, soundstage and timbre rightness. I found the JPS digital AC power cord to be a terrific match for the player, they can be had for about $250.


There's another A5 for sale here for $1900.
I haven't considered SACD players, too little software that interest me there.

I agree with Pardales that you should get a modded player. I suggest a modwright sony ns999es with all the mods (see his website - which is slightly outdated.) which you should be able to pick up at your price point on audiogon. I would do your research on modded players. I recently purchased a Denon 3910 and had Dan Wright modify it. It soulds great on both SACD and redbook and can be used in a HT system to boot. Also, Dan is very professional. If you have any questions, I would not hesitate to call him. Also see Robert Levi's glowing reviews in Positive Feedback.
If you are willing to spend an additional $500 you could probably buy a lighly used sony ns 999es on audiogon and send it directly to him. The turnaround time on my unit was less than 10 days.
Good Luck!