Buy a hi-end CD player/transport now?

I took the plunge and purchased a Cary 303/200 player with some of the same concerns that you seem to have. I listened to a few Sony SACD players and, IMHO, they did not come near the sonics of the Cary on standard red book CD's. There are many companies, Meridian, Krell, Accuphase, and Levinson come to mind, that are producing amazing CD players that compete in the Cary price range.

What I know is that I have over 1,000 CD's and expect to purchase and burn many more because of my love for music and the components that make it happen. Despite our obsession with the hardware and software involved in the music delivery process the majority of people could care less and go with what they know. If I am correct it was only recently that CD sales surpassed prerecorded tape sales in the United States. It will take quite a while before another medium becomes popular. I would place my bet on DVD because I know many more regular consumers that own a DVD player already and the DVD-A medium has that base of potential clientle that do not need to purchase additional hardware to use the product.

I am not sure I follow Drewfidelity's comment. Do all DVD players play DVD-A?
Rob

From my experiences and some good friends experiences SACD and DVDa doesn't have much to offer on a high end set up over redbook cd's so who cares??? If SACD catching on means that people will dump there collection on the used marker I will jump on the savings and enjoy my regular CD's. YMMV.
Tim

My experiences with SACD is the same as that young upstart Tireguy. Jcbtubes and I spent an entire evening comparing SACD to redbook CDs. We were using the top of the line Marantz vs the EMC-1. In both our opinions, the EMC-1 sounded better. Only those recordings in SACD sounded OK. IMO, buy the best CDP in your price range. Read sean's last paragraph. Hey Tireguy, for a youngin, ya sure know your stuff.

If you wait for SACD or DVD audio to take off before purchasing your next player take the money & invest it in a stock or stocks that will give you a good long term return. In the near term I don't see either format doing much. I have players that play both formats. I have not heard anything in either format that beats the sound I get from my Krell player. If you really must purchase a player now go to a good dealer & see what they have that you can take out & try at home. Compare them to what you already have. If you have to strain to notice any difference, take it back. If you do find something you like find what the retailers trade-up policy is. The better Hi-End shops will give you 100% trade up for up to a year from your purchase date. Good Luck; Larry W