single disc sacd player for 300 used

David - my advice is to look for a 775 multi-disc player as for the life of me I can't think of a single disc SACD player at that price point in the US. The 775 is reported to be killer on both SACD and redbook given its very modest price and can be modded by someone like Matt Anker to bring it up to what is purported to be excellent for somewhere in the vicinity of $600 total. No connection to Matt as I own a "Kerned" 333ES cdp.

The only other unit that is single disc for cheap is the Sony XE670 unit that can still be found here in Canada in limited numbers for about $200 Cdn (about $130 US).

There are reports of new units around the corner so maybe if you have the patience tough it out until CES in January to see the new models.

Better sound than the Planet for $300? I would suggest stealing maybe a 9000es. It is probably a step up from the Rega. I hate to be one of those people who suggest what they have for sale, but RCD-971 is quite adept to metal music. Good bass, a little forward, pretty detailed and no warmth. Just don't buy it from me (wink, wink...email me) Good luck

I think the only thing that comes close to your criteria would be to buy a Sony DVD-NS500V for $150 and then get it modified by either tweakaudio.com or sacd-mods.com. Before sending the Sony out for mods, I would suggest trying it out to make sure it works ok. I bought 2 of them and one was defective-would shut itself off after about 1/2 hour or so of playing time.

David99, I think you need to get the 333ES.

I own one, and despite being a 5 disc changer(I worried about this also), it does feature good sound. I tried the CD775 and NSV500, and both are more thin, harsh, and edgy. The ES player is a great deal more smooth, with a powerful low end that is difficult to find in most sub $750 CD players. It seems as if Sony takes a step back in sound with each release of SACD players they put out. Maybe the 999ES will be different. But, I think that our hope now for SACD players is for companies like Adcom, Arcam, Linn, Music Hall, Musical Fidelity, Rega, and Rotel to take the baton from Sony in the same way that they did CD.

I would say that the 333ES is a little slow sounding and not a detail freak, but if you were OK with the Rega, you'll be fine with this. On Redbook, my Music Hall MMF25 is superior(faster, more refined and detailed), but that player is the best buy in high end these days IMHO.

If you are looking into multichannel, you will need to look elsewhere. The 333ES is strictly 2 channel, which I prefer.

Im leaning toward a Sony XE-670.I found 2 for sale for $250 each.Thats more then list but Ive been told its because they are hard to come by.
One seller told be he thought the XE-670 was basically a single drawer XE-555 ($1800 list)???
Also Ive been told the XE-670 blows the doors off the Planet in redbook.Of course thats just what Ive been told.I have to go by what others say.
Treija-Good to 'see' you again.Yes the 333 looks like the killer bargain but those damn 5 disc players make me wonder if most of the money goes into them and all the fancy programming you can do with them.
I dont need to program and never bothered and I only have 20 or so CD's to begin with.I like the basics of a single disc player and I do feel you get more for your money (dac).Remember I was once a vinyl-phile? I sold my entire collection of LP's and I'm now just beginning to want to kick myself in the ass for doing it.Someday again I will get back into vinyl but for now its time to explore the digital world.