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Choosing a SACD player...please help

I am going to give SACD a second try. Two players I am considering are the Sony XA777ES and the Philips SACD 1000. I have also heard good things about the Marantz SA-14, and I've seen a new generation of Marantz SACD players out for below $1200. My budget is 2K, and I am wondering whether to spend 2K on a stock machine or get a less expensive machine and get a bunch of mods done (I don't need multichannel).

In the end, I would like this machine to be killer on SACD and eminently enjoyable on redbook. Can you help me?
pardales
abogaert
8 posts
 
sorry about that, my computer froze when i submited.
gregm
3,405 posts
 
"Killer" sacd & reasonable redbook -- 2channel -- at a budget imply two conditions:
a) buy used (preferably fm large manufacturers, that can be had @ a reasonable price -- Marantz, Sony, Philips are good choices)
b) buy a modded piece or one that has available mods

Subject of course, to your present standards of "killer sacd" & "enjoyable" redbook.
pardales OP
652 posts
 
My system is in a bit of transition. I have all MAC gear (6900 integrated, 205 cahnger, tuner) and Thiel CS2.3 speakers (which I will be selling soon to get a pair of monitors to accomodate a small room and limitd space). I listen to everything (international, jazz, rock, alternative, classical, etc.)

Many strong recommendations I see for the XA, also some for buying something that is already modded. Thanks, I'd love to hear more.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
The SCD-1 is the beter player over the XA. But you mentioned you only had $2000 if you are considering used or can afford the extra money then by all means the SCD-1 is the way to go. It's build quality is outstanding and is/was Sony's statement piece.
phild
603 posts
 
If I were you I would talk to one of the people that do the mods and ask them what they think. Someone like Ric Schultz (at EVS) will certainly have an opinion of the various players. He can tell you which ones are better in stock form, which have the most potential if modded, and which would be the most expensive to mod properly. I do think you'll end up with a very nice player if you decide to go the mod route...you get so much more for your money that way. Good luck!
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