Rega Saturn or Sony XA5400: Sound or features?


The original Rega Saturn is discontinued, but continues to get positive customer reviews on this site and others. It came to market in 2006. I am curious what might be the better value, Sony's XA5400ES or the Rega Saturn. The Sony has more features including the ability to play HDCD, SACD's. I am more interested in the best sound. For the record, the Sony 5400 represents later technology than the Rega

I am downsizing my system to two components besides the speakers: an integrated amp and CD player. So I want to get the best sound possible without spending $3000 for a new or even used player.
sunnyjim
Thanks to all who have responded.

To Chayro I guess I forgot this thread from August; however, I don't enjoy being make to look like some absent-minded fool.

Regrettably over the last year or so, I have seen a mounting intolerance against members whose questions seem redundant or somewhat naïve.

One in particular comes to mind.... when a member who bought some Nordost "Purple Flare" speaker cable and interconnects wanted reassurance that "he did not make a mistake" What followed was a barrage of responses which in my opinion were insulting to the member. I responded by claiming he should relax and enjoy the music, and said that most professional audio dealers would take the cables back in exchange for another model or brand with possibly a small restocking fee

In my own case, the impetus behind my thread, was the alarming rate of Sony XA5400ES on sale on AG and e-bay. This trend leads me to believe that the professional audio reviewers are full of shit, especially Kal Rubinson at Stereophile who wildly sung the praises of the Sony 5400. I have to conclude that those who have bought this model Sony and are selling so quickly have discovered the player is just not what it is cracked up to be.

The Sony retails for $1500 retail, and can usually be purchased "USED" on AG for $1000-to $1250. I don't really give a crap about its computer music related features; I am only interested in sound quality, and whether it can provide an upgrade in sound from my Rega Apollo; that is, better bass, smoother highs, less glare, etc. WOW!!! is that too much to ask about on an audio blog??

Now that I know the player can't decode HDCD, I am even less interested in the Sony because I have about 4 HDCD's in my humble collection that I was curious of what improvements the decoding might render.

Do I sound angry, take a wild guess?? If my threads seem redundant, then don't fucking answer them. Remember, this is an just obsessive hobby, not a round table on the state of the national economy!!!

I'm sorry. I have no intolerance towards redundant posts. I just thought it might help you out to re-read the posts of the many members who took time out of their busy day to try to answer your question first time around.
I would not worry about HDCD.

I don't know if the Sony will provide a significant improvement in sound quality over the Rega. All I know is that I've owned the 5400 for 3 years or more, and it's been reliable and glitch free.

I have a Sony 333ES and a Sony XA777ES, both decent SACD players, particularly the latter - and in my case, this unit was very much modified; but there is something special to the sound from the 5400, especially on CD where they seem to have done some magic.

Regards,
I think the numbers for sale are simply because it's a 5 year old design and lots were sold. As I said in last thread, only way to decide is to listen as peronal preference/room/system is all that will determine which is best for you, as both are very good players.
Chayro, this is at least the twentieth thread he's started asking basically the same thing. Just buy SOMETHING Jim for God sake! If you dont like it sell it and try again. No one here can tell you what is better to your ears on your system in your room. Youre talking a used CD player not a friggin house. How many more of these threads will you start before you actually buy something?