At $2K for a new SACD player is the XA-777ES....


still the "big dog"???

Past machines included a stock 333ES that I had "Kerned" but sold it in favor of a SACD-1000 on the premise that Meitner was going to introduce a 2 channel DAC (which he did but coupled with the Switchman preamp) that ended up being way out of my budget. Don't need multi-channel nor DVD nor DVD-A so the newer universal players are bringing more to the table than I desire or am willing to pay for. Don't really want to consider used gear. It has to travel a long way to my home and I'd like to minimize the risk of out of pocket repairs or insurance fights with carriers.

At the $2K pricepoint are there any proven contenders that offer as much as the XA-777ES (I realize its m/c but as it parallels its dac on 2 ch so thats ok) interms of excellent SACD and really good redbook????
rgd
You might want to consider having Dan Wright (modwright.com) doing his Signature Truth mod to your SACD 1000. Cost is $1250 and includes an internal tube analog stage. This mod is sonicly very close to his Ultimate Truth mod of the XA-777ES. I have both, but am waiting for the SACD 1000 to break in completely before doing any direct comparisons. Descriptions of the mod and reviews can be found at: http://www.harmonicdiscord.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4