Best 2CH SACD Player for $2k Or Less, New or Used?

Stop fooling around, go for a sony 595 at $60 from SonyStyle. I dare you to spend more until you 'hear' it.

My 5400 replaced a Sony 777 and it is much better and you will eventually have sled problems with a used 777 or scd-1

I would definitely buy the XA5400ES, use it as is to get used to the sound of the unit for four months or so and then consider either the Modwright or Vacuum State upgrades to it. The stock XA5400ES is very nice out of the box. Some report the Sony improves with use. I'm not touching that one. Modwright and Vacuum State have upgrades which make the Sony competitive with CD/SACD players selling for two-three times the cost of the upgraded Sony. I have heard both upgrades and own one, and the one I own is not necessarily better, but it serves my needs better. If you see a resale Modwright XA5400ES for sale act fast. If vinyl or server based music makes up most of your listening I'd still buy the stock XA5400ES and just leave it stock.

i spoke to dan wright who modifies both the sony 5400 and oppo 83 se.

he said that the difference between the two modded units, while slight is audible. the modded oppo is somewhat warmer and full bodies, while the sony is more articulate and less forgiving of of poor recordings.

i would call dan wright before committing to the sony 5400.

i took his advice and bought a modded oppo, which has a rectifier tube.

I replaced my Sony 5400 with a Marantz Reference SA-11s2, and am glad I did. The Sony is good, but the Marantz just seems smoother and more transparent on both redbook and SACD. It's a lot more solidly built as well. List on the Marantz is $3K, but I got mine in excellent shape for under $2K here, and there are a couple listed now at similar prices.