to SACD or not

Velocityofhue - If you are considering a non-SACD player in the $5K to $10K range, I recommend you consider the ARC CD8. I have the CD7, the Ayre 5xeMP, the Mcintosh MCD500, and the Marantz SA11S2. Each is in its own system and chosen for various reasons. The CD7 is much better than the others for redbook CD, and I have heard the CD8 enough at my dealer's home to know that it is superior to the CD7. The Ayre is maybe about 85 percent as good as the CD7 for redbook.

Good hunting!

Tmsorosk,

Wow, your listening experience is radically different from mine with C-5 & DX-5. My DX made my C-5 sound thin and less real in my system. I do think that the DX sounds a bit more like the old D-1 in that it is smoother and less forward than the C-5, so I can understand that some would prefer the way the C-5 presents the music.

Ed

Hello Ed ... Saw your system link , ( very nice ) . I noticed your using W.A. Sophia's , I like them very much . but thought they had a slightly forward sound . I'm using Revel Salon 1's , that Iv'e always felt could have a slightly recessed sound , Careful component matching was always important to make them shine . This may explain our different feelings about the two great Ayre players . I probably sounded overly critical of the DX . I noticed your using the Lamm 1.2 . they are one of the amps i'm thinking of upgrading too. I started a tread about them and the replies seem to recommend the 2.2's for my speakers , what do you think .

I have owned many of the SACD players above including the Ayre (excellent player), but I have sold them all buying a Sony SACD XA5400ES. I also kept my McIntosh SACD/DVD player for dvd-A. The McIntosh looks cool but is not even close to the Sony for SACD sound.

I love the SACD's and have a nice little collection. I can say with certainty the Sony 5400ES continually gives me the best sound.

I recently did what your doing and bought an Esoteric X03SE.Love it.I could have bought an Ayre at dealer cost and passed after hearing several including the Marantz line...and that Sony all are hyping,forgetaboutit,not even in the same conversation IMO, so no need to "crawl over glass"!