Best one-chasis CD/SACD player under $15 000?

tsk tsk...still pushing it, Doggie?

At this rate, I may end up owning a Playback Design rather than an EMM Labs. Noticed that there are NO pre-owned Playback Design units for sale here while thre's plently of EMM Labs around?

By the way, how is the 115VAC vs 220VAC situation with the Playback Design unit? Switchable? Unlike the EMM Labs that is very inflexiable with international voltages, you need to get them to change the input voltage at their Canadian factory?

(Audio)

I have no idea. There is no switch at the back and it uses a linear PSU rather than a switched mode like the EMM.

Having been A:B-ing on discs, I still think the XDS1 sounds a tad more resolving. The Playback sounds a bit richer but it's at the expense of the last smidgeon of detail. But for the most part, it's very enjoyable because there's more emphasis on the vocals and strings/instruments in that range. The XDS1 allows more of the background instruments to be discernible and it is impressive in that way. Both are smooth and grain free, very analog sounding.

BTW, I thought the USB-X with AudirvanaPlus reduced that midrange emphasis a bit which made it sound more like the XDS1. Odd, huh?

Have you considered a moderate player (e.g. The newest Oppo) that outputs USB into a killer DAC of your chosing instead of a single CD/SACS player? Or are you looking for a player that accepts asynchronous USB digital inputs or better yet FireWire inputs? With the DAC acting as the master clock to the standalone player, I think it reduces the dependency for a high-end player, hence the suggestion of a moderately priced player. You might also wish to consider Pro gear like Metric Studio, Prism And DAD that offer FireWire inputs and offer much better value than over priced audiophile gear.

Just another option to consider . . . .

@Kevinzoe, the Oppo does not output USB to an external DAC.

The 105 does have USB inputs, but not output.

Gfroman - before you purchased your Modwright, did you compare with the Exemplar modded Oppo95?