Best CD sound from a DVD player

If the SA-12 is the one that i think it is, it recently underwent a massive price drop. I think it used to list for appr $2800 and now retails for something like $1000 - $1200. A local dealer was telling me about it. He told me that the unit worked very nicely as a cd player but that they were less impressed with it as a dvd player for video use. Don't know anything else about it other than that bit of info that was passed onto me. Sean
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My price range is under $3000. What I'm hoping for is something in the league of the Sony XA777es with DVD capability. I heard Audio Aero is coming out with a multi-format player, are there other manufacturers releasing products similar to this? I'd be willing to pay more if I can justify the performance.

Sony is expected to come out with a new multichannel SACD/DVD player, more info at "http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/2596" . It sounds lika a replacement for the 900 series rather than the 9000 series. Expexted price $1200.

The Muse 9 signature is great. I have one. CD sound is just a step below the great one box players like the Wadia's, ML 390, Electrocompanient etc...

Maybe we all should be looking at the Marantz DV8300 which is the latest "one box wonder". I know... its ugly but look anyway!!! This thing plays SACD, SACD MultiChannel, CD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, MP3, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW and video CD. Damn!

With its component video/progressive scan and 12-bit video DAC, I presume its at least at par with the Sony DV-9000ES for video.

How's the audio???? I doubt much of the Marantz SA-1 technology flowed into this box - maybe the SA14?.. Also, its Marantz's first attempt at a DVD-A machine - so that is questionable - but at least you've got it.

This is certainly one machine which could benefit from modifications. Maybe if enough of us started knocking on Dan Wright's door - he'd round up Jena Crock and build a upgraded tube analog output, power supply, and parts upgrade for under 2K - which is about what it costs to do full upgrades to a XA777ES.

By the way.... anyone here ever listen to one of these things?