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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
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
jlc76 OP
37 posts
 
Reubent, I checked out the link and am worried it would be like "putting lipstick on a pig" (I know, politcal ref but appropriate here). If the cost was half the $1100 I would seriously consider it. I am going to pick up a Sony 9100es as recommended by Chayro and I will do a side-by-side. If the Sony sounds decent I will just relegate the Oppo to my bedroom setup which consists of a cheap 720p 32" and HD cable box (it will probably only be used by the wife or visiting nieces though).

If the Sony isn't what I expected then I will buy an external DAC and see which is better. After that I may consider modding the winner (www.modwright.com for the Sony but it is a lot more money than the EVS). Anyway, thanks for the tip.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Jlc76 - using external DAC for SACD doesn't sound like a good plan. You will loose quality on translation to PCM, but if you decide to go that route anyway remember that for some DACs like Benchmark DAC1 quality of the transport does not make any difference - don't spend too much money. SACD might not last very long - most of BlueRay don't even support it (according to Stereophile).
jlc76 OP
37 posts
 
No, I will feed the SACD through the analog out and the red book cd out digitally.
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