CD Player or New Format?

DVD-A definately does NOT sound best. Both formats are excellent. Since you like classical, clearly more titles are available on SACD.

I think it is sound advice to place Redbook at the top of your criteria list. That is, unless your budget allows you to consider top shelf multi-format players, like the DV-50 mentioned.

In other words, lower priced players, for the most part, compromise one or the other.

Way things are shaking out get a redbook player.There may be many good DVD/SACD/DVD-A combo bundles this holiday season.

If you are looking for a universal player for $1,000 or under I would seriously consider taking a listen to a Yamaha S2300 universal player. Sure it isn't going to compete with some of the players listed above but should it at a fraction of the cost. I own the S2300 and really think it is a great value. I use it for cd/sacd/dvd-a and dvd movies in my home theater. You can get one used for around $600-$750. I think it will always be a part of my system even when I upgrade to a higher end redbook/sacd player like Sony's scd xa-9000es which is a superb player especially for the money $3000 new $1700 used. I am saving for the Sony and will probably keep the Yamaha for dvd-a and dvd videos. I know some people have said denon's universal player was better than the yamaha for the same price. I don't have first hand experience with the Denon though. IMO I think SACD is the best format available but I do really enjoy DVD-A also. Good luck.

First check if the titles you like are available on SACD/DVD-A. That was my mistake - after purchasing an universal player I discovered that I barely have four titles on SACD I would really like to buy.
And, IMHO, Larryi is right: "There are inevitable compromises when a machine has to do more than one task. If you are looking in a lower price range, I bet the compromises will be even more extreme." Anyways, if we're talking SACD, in your price range I would only consider Marantz 8260, though I personally didn't like the coloration of sound it produces. Very good CDP playing a good CD will sound better then average universal player, IMHO.