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How much SACD do I need?

I've acquired a good number of hybrid CD/SACD disks and would love to listen to the SACD layer. Here's my situation, I have a CD player with which I'm very happy, works well in my system, and will keep (Linn Majik). I would think that some amount of the cost of higher end SACD players goes into getting decent redbook CD playback. What do I need to get quality SACD playback (two-channel)? That is, I don't want to sink a lot of money into reproducing redbook CD playback (already got that). But don't want to spend so little that SACD's end up sounding inferior to my CD player. Would something like a Marantz 8003 or Sony 5400 work? i.e. would a Marantz 8003 player the SACD layer do better than the Majik playing the CD layer? Would appreciate any thoughts and guidance. Tks.

John
john_adams_sunnyvale
chayro
2,984 posts
 
I believe you're quite right in thinking that redbook played on a very good CD player will sound better than an SACD played on a lesser unit. My first experience came in comparing a Naim CD5x to a Music Hall Maverick playing SACD. I've owned the Sony XA 9000ES and, IMO, the SACD section does full justice to the medium. I've recently compared it to the new 5400, but unfortunately, the demo conditions were poor, so it was hard to hear a difference. I would say purchase a used 9000, but you can buy a new 5400 for the same or less.

I'm currently using a $169 Oppo for video and it does a credible job on hi-res discs, but it in no way approaches my redbood player. All in all, IMO, either Sony is a very safe bet if you want to hear what SACD sounds like without spending a fortune. Assuming you have room for another big box of course.
billmcd
9 posts
 
In Kal Rubinson's recent review of the Sony 5400 in
Stereophile he states that the 5400 was the clear victor
when compared to his then reference Sony 9000. The review
closes with "I have yet to hear a better SACD/CD player".
chayro
2,984 posts
 
I'm not sure if Kal's comments were directed to connection through the analog output stage or multi-channel over HDMI. They can be very different. I agree that the 5400 looks like a very exciting product.
billmcd
9 posts
 
Kal says he has the 5400 9000 & 777 and prefers the 5400
using stereo.
batmobile
5 posts
 
A medium price SACD player like the Marantz SA 7003 or SA 8003 (about US$600-900) will vastly outperform ANY CD player on the market.

CD is a low-rez format. You can buy expensive CD players that cost $10000 ... but however much you pay, it is always limited to low-resolution 16 bit 44 kHz sound. Can't escape that. Can't make quality out of thin air. That's why serious audiophile companies like Mark Levinson and Krell no longer sell CD players - they've moved to SACD. Similarly, Sony, Marantz and Yamaha basically no longer sell standalone CD players - they are moving their entire line-ups to SACD.

CD as an audiophile concept is finished. The mass market is going downloads. Audiophile market is going hi-rez. Smell the flowers.
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