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Need recommendation for new CD/SACD player

I bought an Oppo 981 secondhand a while back to test the waters of SACD/DVD-Audio. I will say that the SACD sounds pretty good on this player and of the two DVD-Audio discs I have the sound is ok. The redbook audio is absolutely terrible, which I am finding out is a major weakness of this player. My old Technics CD from 1992 sounded better.

I am now in the market for a new SACD/CD player. DVD-Audio is not important and in fact I would like to leave DVD out of the equation all together if possible. So I am here to ask what are users opinions on the best CD/SACD player for under $2000? I have been looking at the Marantz, Denon, and Sony ES models. Also, do you think if I get a model for $1000 that I should add an external DAC for the RBCD? Is there a model that would be great standalone (even if I need to spend a bit more money?). Lastly since I think the SACD and DVD-Audio of the Oppo is decent, should I just spend a grand on a decent DAC (like Benchmark) and use that setup for a while? My other equip for reference is an old Carver C-1 preamp (the next upgrade), a Macintosh MC 250 amp, and Klipsch Heresey speakers, I also have a modded Technics 1210 coming soon. Thanks for the advice.
jlc76
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Jlc76 - SACD is not a PCM and it needs to be converted for use by DACs like Benchmark. I read somwhere on Audiogon that Oppo is outputing/converting SACD only at 48kHz while Benchmark is 192kHz capable. As for quality of the Oppo as a transport - it doesn't matter (according to Benchmark) as long as the player is "bit transparent" - doesn't have digital volume control etc. I use $69 Sony DVD player + coax + Benchmark DAC1. DVD players have poor analog outputs but very good tracking. Check its logic - people complained about Oppos menus and my Sony is completely ridiculous.
duffye
2 posts
 
LIKE Kijanki & Tweak1 I'D JUST GET A DAC AND KEEP YOUR CHEAP PLAYER. I JUST COMPLETED AN A/B/C/ ANALYSIS OF BENCHMARK DAC1USB, PS AUDIO DIGILINK III AND THE MUSICAL FIDELITY X-DAC V8. ITS THE 3 BEARS STORY-PS AUDIO HAS GREAT LOW END BUT LACKS DETAIL, THE BENCHMARK WAS SO CRYSTAL CLEAR & FORWARD IT HURT AND THE MUSICAL FIDELITY WAS JUST RIGHT. NONE OF MY FINDINGS MEAN DIDDLELY HOWEVER....BOILS DOWN TO WHAT YOU HAVE FOR PROCESSING, POWER, SPEAKERS ETC., ETC. I CAN TELL YOU THIS, YOU WON'T BE UNHAPPY WITH ANY OF THE THREE & YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW GREAT YOUR CD PLAYER WILL SOUND. I HAVE A $99 SONY THAT SOUNDS ALMOST AS GOOD AS MY CAMBRIDGE 840C.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,677 posts
 
The Oppo outputs 88.2kHz PCM from SACDs and, while it has a digital volume control and channel trims, you can zero them all in the setup menu.

Kal
chayro
2,984 posts
 
Pick up a Sony 9100ES DVD player for SACD. You can find them in mint condition for $500 or less. The SACD is very good, but the CD is not the greatest. Then, pick up a decent dac for $750 or so - maybe a Bel Canto Dac2, or one of the Pacific Valve tube dacs and you've got a great rig. The Sony XA 9000ES has better SACD and CD, but still needs a dac if you really want excellent CD replay. Still, you can get the 9000 for about $1400 or so and the Bel Canto for around $700, so you would have some great sound, IMO, for about 2K. You might even be satisfied with the 9000 cd replay. It's pretty good.
reubent
6,979 posts
 
Any of the Oppo players mod'd by Ric Shultz at EVS (www.tweakaudio.com) are very good CD, HDCD, SACD and DVD video players. I use an EVS level-2 mod'd Oppo 970 for both the DVD player in my HT system and also as the CD/SACD player in my 2 channel rig. It replaced a nice $3000+ dedicated cd player and gave up little/nothing in the sonic department. I'm not thrilled with the mid-fi looks (although the 970 is much better looking than the 980 and 981 IMHO), but it is a highly competent player in one slim-line package and it does everything well.

Enjoy,

TIC
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