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SACD Players: Models with DSD Processor (used and new) (not dsd converted to pcm)

Which SACD Players (used or new) have DSD Processors? (not dsd converted to pcm)

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excerpts found

The SACD disc looks like a CD but is a ’container’ that holds the DSD audio which is one bit and 2.8 million parts per second. This compares to a CD which is a ’container’ that holds PCM audio which is 44,100 samples per second and 16 bits.

Just be aware that most universal DVD/Blu-ray players convert the DSD from a SACD to PCM because their DACS are basically working with this format for all the other discs that they play (CD, DVD and Blu-ray are all only PCM based audio). There are exceptions such as the OPPO players - but double check the spec’.

I know a lot of people are wary about DSD to PCM conversion, but as big a fan of DSD as I am, I’m beginning to think that the benefits come from doing the digital <=> analogue conversions with DSD. Once in the digital domain, I don’t think DSD <=> PCM conversion is nearly so significant.

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elliottbnewcombjr
anwar
119 posts
 

Elliot,

Marantz USA website lists 3 models, but elsewhere there are 4 SACD players using MMM, with SA-12SE being the latest model:

  • Marantz SA-10 (with balanced XLR output)
  • Marantz SA-KI Ruby
  • Marantz SA-12SE
  • Marantz SACD 30n
elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,353 posts
 

anwar,

thanks so much, I gather the older Marantz DV8400 is not MMM version.

elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,353 posts
 

I posted this in 'better cd sound' because it matches my experience listening to SACD's 

SACD: Quieter Noise Floor is about it

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"Comparison with CD

In September 2007, the Audio Engineering Society published the results of a year-long trial, in which a range of subjects including professional recording engineers were asked to discern the difference between high-resolution audio sources (including SACD and DVD-Audio) and a compact disc audio (44.1 kHz/16 bit) conversion of the same source material under double-blind test conditions. Out of 554 trials, there were 276 correct answers, a 49.8% success rate corresponding almost exactly to the 50% that would have been expected by chance guessing alone.[38] When the level of the signal was elevated by 14 dB or more, the test subjects were able to detect the higher noise floor of the CD-quality loop easily."

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This thread is because I finally learned, I have never heard SACD without internal conversion to PCM. Thus for me the difference is lower, seemingly bottomless noise floor, (actually can be un-naturally quiet). 

Gives me better understanding why so many stream DSD. If I buy s SACD player with SACD/DSD out, it will probably also be a streamer, but I still doubt I will ever stream in the main system.

Anyway, looking for which units pass DSD out without conversion to PCM, probably used to keep cost down.

elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,353 posts
 

Marantz, Yamaha, I have never heard their CD or SACD players.

I bought a nice Denon with dual processors, but didn't like it, too sharp, a bit bright, I found one I really like, Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4 Mark II,  but it does not play SACD, thus this search

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"Oh Happy Day,

Integra CDC-3.4 6 disc changer arrived, like new, perfect, and, despite my ’doubtful’ expectation bias:

FINALLY one that sounds preferable to my Sony. I highly recommend the sound of this with it’s dual Wolfson processors and all of Onkyo/Integra’s tricks applied.

How to describe the difference: Like my AT33PTG/II cartridge, compared to any cartridge with less tight channel balance, EVERYTHING is a speck more distinct. Not bright, not sharp, a very thin veil removed allowing refined clarity. Imaging is the same width, but within that, main vocal, backup singers, specific musicians, simultaneously more precise.

A small improvement to EVERYTHING, is a LOT!!!"

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