Best SACD for under $1200

Why SACD? The format may change or not be in existance long term. You have a very revealing preamp with the X-1 and a good power amp. Your system will pass along whatever the source tells it to. In audio, spend some money on your source. I have been using the Sony SCD-777ES but when I upgraded to better speakers, I found the Sony very harsh sounding. I have been trying out various DACs with great success. There are many very good DACs for $1200 used such as the Electrocompaniet DAC. This will take your system to another level without compromising sound for a $1200 player. See my DAC thread for more info or email me on this direct.

Happy Listening.

I am happy with my Denon 2900, and a mod available for about $900 can replace the analog circuitry for audio quality described as second to none.

It is a universal player. One practical advantage of a universal player, which I never thought of before I bought it, is that you don't need to know what kind of a disc it is when you choose it to play. My discs are all mixed up, CD, DVD-A, SACD, any organization being along the lines of type of music, Symphonies, Chamber music, Folk, Jazz, etc. They are all in the same kind of boxes, and the printing is so small and the choice of ink color so stupid that reading the label is a challenge. With a universal, I just load the disc, and let the machine figure out what to do with it.

An even lower-cost alternative to the above is the Philips 963SA multi player (cd-sacd-dvd). For $~400 you get direct audio out, gold-plated rca's et alia audiophool approved gadgets.
You'll have to get s/one to modd the analogue section however...

I agree with Gregm the Philips 963 is a very capable unit which has been tested against more expensive players. The best in the price category. Some have gone as far as saying it beats the Denon 2900 in all departments.

Thanks for the responses, guys - I'll give as many of these a listen as I can and let you know what I come up with.

J