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Latest Score on SACD for Redbook Playback??

I have had a deposit on an Sony SCD-1 which I hope represents good value at < $3000. I like the fact that it seems to be an overbuilt, flagship product and performs well with redbook CDs. Also, the 2 channel configuration appeals to my snobby, retro, dinosaur audiophile side. However, I was a little confused scanning the new Stereophile which suggests that will be discontinued and I am wondering how the multichannel SACD players perform on redbook CDs. Should I still buy the SCD-1? Do I need an external DAC for redbook happiness? If so, could someone please tell me what DAC could be used with the Sony as a transport for the best redbook performance? Is upsampling important in your opinion? Thank you very much.
cwlondon
twl
3,251 posts
 
I have a sony DVP-S9000ES SACD player and I love it for both redbook and SACD. I'll bet the SCD-1 is even better with its 6 DACs. Mine is feeding a Berning OTL and single driver speakers and the sound is fantastic. The SACD beats redbook hands down simply because there is more on the disc to begin with. I know we need to play redbook now because of the selection available and my opinion is that the Sony will play as well as any comparably priced CD deck. But, once alot of SACDs are available you won't be playing redbook unless you have to. The sound is as close to vinyl as you can get and you also get all the convenience advantages of CD. I think it's a great time for audio!
john_l
782 posts
 
I have the scd-1 and I think it has some of the best redbook cd playback I've heard. The hotrod tube driven modwright XA777 & the dcs/elgar are the only thing's I've heard that are better. Very detailed and clean sounding with the best bass I've heard from a (redbook) cd player. You would not think it, but the scd-1 made a startling improvement to my system's bass.

When it initially arrived I was going out of town for two weeks so I loaned it to a friend who has the levinson 360S dac. He said that the 360S was almost imperceptively better & wondered if he should sell it and go scd-1. He currently has a 9000 for occasional sacd use. I've heard his system and would have to agree. (note that he didn't have the matching levinson transport at the time. )

It's also the coolest looking cd player of all time.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I own the XA777ES and have not heard the SCD-l. once broken in (a long process), my unit is so great on CDs that I can't imagine the SCD-l to be much, if any, better on redbook discs. As an SACD player it brings out the superiority of that format, but great CDs sound at least as good as less-than-great SACDs. Aside from being $l,000 cheaper, the XA777ES plays CDRs and CD-RWs, has a much faster access time, and offers multi-channel playback (which I don't use) as a bonus. It's built like a tank, has 6 parallel DACs (3 per channel on redbook discs)and seems, so far, pretty immune to the operational glitches which affected more than a few SCD-ls. To me, the choice is pretty simple. Good luck.
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