how good is sacd1000 on red book

84... my intial impression to my philips sacd1000 on redbook is that it sounded somewhat dark, or compressed, lacking life. that was in comparison to a wadia 860x (MUCH more expensive!)...

the philips has improved with continued playback. it's pretty good i guess, but definitely was disappointing to me as well on redbook.

i think i've been totally spoiled with the Wadia...

I have listened extensively to the Marantz SA-14 and I understand they are very similar. Frankly, it was an impulse buy. I thought I might have it modified or maybe I will just sell it, it is unopened.

If you take the time to break it in, the SACD1000 sound
very good on red book CDs.

I found no lack of detail out of the box, but the high end
sounded closed in/compressed.

Unless you've got a Wadia or a $32K FA Ref/AN DAC-4 Sig combo, it's a great piece of gear for $350.

I plan to pop the hood and work on the power supplies,
analog output stage and applied damping materials that
have worked well on other digital gear.

My unit is 3 days old. Out of the box it bettered the Alchemist Nexus I had been using for Redbook CD. I have used it for SACD in two channel mode, and is better that the cheaper Sony 775, but not as good as a friends SCD777ES. System Mac C100 Mac 352 and Dunlavy SCIVA.