Which of these SACD players would you choose?


Oppo BDP-80 (blu-ray, SACD, DVD Audio) - Retail $289

Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J (SACD) - Retail $499 on Sale for $229

I already have an Integra 6-disk CD player and a Samsung blu-ray player that would be replaced by the Oppo and obviously would stay with the Pioneer Elite.

It seems that there should be less compromise with the Pioneer Elite because of its retail price and the fact that it has fewer features. I have room in my entertainment center for another component, but would mind keeping it simple.

What are you thoughts?
mceljo
"How many hours on Integra VS Pioneer?" - The Pioneer is probably over 8 years old and the Integra is fairly new. I'm not sure why that matters as they nearly sound the same. The biggest difference is from going from Integra analog to Integra digital. I wouldn't think that a D/A converter changes with use?

As for the Oppo products, I've seen a lot of recommendations for Oppo, but many of them are linked to modified units. Seems similar to telling someone you prefer Camaro's over Mustang's, and then clarifying that you have a Camaro modified by Lingenfelter Performance.

The Oppo 80 would have been an excellent option for me, but I think the Elite will serve my needs/wants better. The placebo effect of knowing that it was designed for 2 channel audio will make it sound excellent I'm sure. I likely won't ever get to do a side by side with an Oppo so I'll be fat dump and happy for a long time.
My new Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J Super Audio CD Player arrived this afternoon and was waiting for me on the porch. The SACD version of Norah Jones' Come Away With Me was in the mailbox to complete the evening experience. Bottom line, it sounds wonderful.

The soundstage is similar to my Integra and the borrowed SACD player using analog cables, but sounds much better across the board.

The improvement in sound quality on regular CDs is enough that my wife can't deny hearing it. Obviously, the sound of the SACDs is, again, simply wonderful.

My EE friend that's very much into music and audio equipment stopped by for a demo and commented that it sounds very close to the smoothness of vinyl without the "hiss" that is ofter associated with it. Neither one of has the resources or interest to get vinyl where it would sound better than this, but I'm sure that it can be done.

On the first listen through Norah Jones CD I've already heard things that I couldn't hear before. There are things that have definition that my previous setup with Infinity IL-50 speakers and Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver just left sounding similar to the analog vinyl "hiss."

I'm happy!
Anyone in the market for a CD player should consider this unit. It is simply amazing. All of the standard CDs that I have played have given me something new to hear. The ones that are SACD just go another step beyond.

Lucky for all of you I'll be gone camping for the next few days or you might just have to read post after post about this thing.
"The Pioneer is probably over 8 years old and the Integra is fairly new. I'm not sure why that matters as they nearly sound the same. "
For some reason I thought you were comparing the new Pioneer to Integra that already had some hours on it. The reason I asked for hours is, based on my personal experience, electronics do take some time to stabilize (speakers, even more). And I did not want you to take a decision based on couple of hours of equipment "burn-in". But since it not the newer equipment, my question does not mean anything.
But I am glad you liked the new Pioneer. I think you should post a pic of your system along with the new player :-) Enjoy your music.