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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
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!
guss2
50 posts
 
If you are strictly into 2 channel, I would go with the SCD-1. If you are even remotely considering multi-channel go with the XA777es. Gary.
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ivanj
35 posts
 
Under $2k new the SA14 wins hands down for your requirements. It really doesn't need mods, just clean spike-free power (important), sufficient time to break in and good cables. If you can wait, there is a mark 2 version coming out soon which is a slight tweak. I would advise against buying a used SACD player because the repairs can be expensive and the manufacturers unaccomodating without a good dealer in the middle.
abogaert
8 posts
 

pardales i tried to e-mail you but it was returned. The address is jandr.com i think i got the last xa777 last thursday but they expecting more probably monday. they have the scd-1 in stock :3,000.00 and they selling the display model (not the demo) for 2700.00 or 2800.00. you can call (212) 238-9000. If you call in sunday ask for ext. 2123 and speak to Michael Ruski he is good, tell him that Angel send you. e-mail me when you are done.
pardales OP
652 posts
 
I really appreciate all the opinions, experience, and details. If I could make one more statment that sums up what I am looking for (which hearing from all of you has helped me to clarify) its this: I want superb redbook playback, with SACD as a bonus.

I'm getting closer, and i'll let you all know what happens. I hope this discussion has been useful to more 'goners' that just me. Thanks again,
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