Finding a good SACD Player

brosephus · « **on:** 18 Aug 2005, 08:22 pm »

I've read some really bad reviews of SACD players. Most of them being DVD/SACD/etc..... What im wondering is which one of the SACD capable players out there is worth a damn? I also know that the sacd capable players come with analog 5.1 rca outputs. Would these analog outputs sound superior for SACD or regular CD than using a Digital Coax or Optical Connection to connect to my JVC ES1 reciever? Also, instead of buying a big expensive monster set of rca analog 5.1 cables, would there be much of a sound difference just to use low grade rca's?

Phil A · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Aug 2005, 08:42 pm »

System synergy is important on what you use anything with, incl., speakers, electronics (rec'r., preamp, CD player, etc) as well as associated connectors. Few absolutes in audio. For the most part and on most receivers, SACD is an analog only connection. SACDs contain at least a stereo SACD layer, some contain both a stereo SACD layer and a multi-channel SACD layer, and some also contain a CD Audio layer as well. For CD, you can connect via analog or digital to the receiver to get the stereo PCM info from the CD. Whether something sounds better connected in analog or digital on a CD is dependent on your system as noted above, DACs involved, cabling and how your system is set-up (e.g. analog direct mode on the rec'r to bypass circuitry and give you a purer signal).

Before you invest in hardware to play software, you should see how much of the software out there is really to your liking and tastes. For SACDs, there is http://www.sa-cd.net. If there is not enough to warrant the purchase of hardware, you may wish to consider an outboard DAC for playing CDs. What you buy depends on your budget and what you call reasonable. What are you looking to spend in total on everything?

Vtech2000 · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Aug 2005, 09:30 pm »

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/modwright999ES.htm

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue20/modwrightupdate.htm

ted_b · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Aug 2005, 09:43 pm »

Quote from: brosephus

I've read some really bad reviews of SACD players. Most of them being DVD/SACD/etc..... What im wondering is which one of the SACD capable players out there is worth a damn? I also know that the sacd capable players come with analog 5.1 rca outputs. Would these analog outputs sound superior for SACD or regular CD than using a Digital Coax or Optical Connection to connect to my JVC ES1 reciever? Also, instead of buying a big expensive monster set of rca analog 5.1 cables, would there be much of a sound difference just to use low grade rca's?

For SACD you HAVE to use the analog cables; hi-rez SACD does not output from the digital jacks. And yes, use a quality set of analog cables (Monster not being "quality" in my book). I have the above-mentioned Modwright 999ES Platinum and it is IMHO (well-documented) a state-of-the-art player with little if any peer.

Ted

brosephus · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 12:51 am »

I just found out that my brother has the top of the line toshiba dvd player that will play SACD. And I just happen to be moving in with him next month. It's no $3000 unit, but I think it will work for our purposes. Now that I know SACD only works through the analog jacks, I could use a recommendation on getting some cables for it. If monster is not good enough what would you guys recommend that's under $100?

ted_b · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:05 am »

Do you have 5.1 analog inputs, or are you going to listen to stereo SACD and CD? Places like BlueJean Cables or SignalCables or DH Labs all make very affordable quality analog sets. But if you need all six (for center, surrounds and sub, as well as main l & r) then $100 won't go as far.

Ted

bubba966 · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:05 am »

3 pairs of analog IC's for under $100?

Not sure what to tell 'ya. Monster stuff isn't terrible, it just isn't worth what they charge for it. If you get it for 60+% off then they're ok. But I'm not even sure you could get 3 pairs of Monster IC's for under $100.

Nothing I'm familiar with would come in at that price point. But I'm sure that someon around here could tell you what's worth picking up at that price if there is something that qualifies.

brosephus · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:15 am »

The reciever i've got is a JVC ES1 and it does have the analog 5.1 input so im set there. Just need to find some freakin cables that aren't so expensive but are worth a damn.

Panelhead · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:20 am »

The best cheap SACD player I know of is the Samsung HD-841. It was 99.00 when I last looked. It plays everything and is not bad.
The best one for reasonable money is the Marantz SA-8260. THis is a quality 700.00 machine with all discrete output stages.
To better the Marantz it gets expensive quick.

George

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:21 am »

Quote from: ted_b

For SACD you HAVE to use the analog cables; hi-rez SACD does not output from the digital jacks. And yes, use a quality set of analog cables (Monster not being "quality" in my book). I have the above-mentioned Modwright 999ES Platinum and it is IMHO (well-documented) a state-of-the-art player with little if any peer.

Ted

I think this is the same version that Levi had, and we compared it to the Talk Thunder 3.1B at the Rave at his place. I think the Talk spanked it. Levi must have thought so too as he sold the Modwright and bought the Talk.

By the way, good cheap cables are Blue Jeans. Check them out, you can do 3 pair for under $100.

tvyankee · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:27 am »

here you go.

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/shownews.php?id=8290

you can get it here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00082VV8A/ref=ord_cart_shr/026-2850701-2410008?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

its about 370.00 us.

ted_b · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:46 am »

Quote from: JoshK

I think this is the same version that Levi had, and we compared it to the Talk Thunder 3.1B at the Rave at his place. I think the Talk spanked it. Levi must have thought so too as he sold the Modwright and bought the Talk.

By the way, good cheap cables are Blue Jeans. Check them out, you can do 3 pair for under $100.

1) Not the same version as Levi's; a few upgrades ahead.
2) Spanked it? As in, what, 50% better? I'm not believing that anything short of a Meitner stack at $30k+ would SPANK the Modwright Platinum hotrod (silver umbilical, new power supply,etc).
3) The 3.1B is a redbook player, right, not an SACD player? Apples and oranges, somewhat.

Anyway, it's your opinion. Not sure why you've singled out and sh$tted on my Modwright, but ok. It's an open forum.

Ted

JoshK · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 01:55 am »

Dude, you need to chill. I didn't single you out, I responded to your post, and specifically that nothing short of _____ could beat it. I think the Talk surely did. 50% better? Nothing is 50% better than anything else, unless we are in relative space.

Yes Talk is redbook only but it is a "player" and a direct answer to your statement. Hey if you like it that is fine, I thought it was good but had some obvious faults. If they are fixed in a current version, all the better. I am not picking on anyone, but I read your post as typically rave and I had a quite different take so I thought I'd throw out some balancing views. Nothing more.

ted_b · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 02:19 am »

Josh,

"Dude"?

This thread is about finding SACD players, and all I said was that the SACD player that was referenced earlier by Brad (with reviews, etc) was indeed a very good SACD player. I like it, stated it was my opinion, and find that you'd need to spend MUCH bigger bucks to improve this SACD player, if even that. Two sentences. Rave...not really.

You respond with NOT an SACD player and basically to say mine is not that good. Didn't really see any point......nor any help in furthering this guy's quest in an SACD player.

I'm sure the 3.1B is a VERY good redbook player. Levi must be very happy. So am I.

Ted

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Aug 2005, 04:07 pm »

Quote from: brosephus

I could use a recommendation on getting some cables for it. If monster is not good enough what would you guys recommend that's under $100?

In that price range (and for quite a bit more, IMO) I don't believe you can beat the Outlaw PCA interconnects. You can get 3 pairs of 0.5m IC's for $90, an excellent price for some very good cables. I have 7 pairs in my systems and they beat out several much more expensive cables to get there.

There is one drawback to Outlaw cables, though. Unlike most (all?) of the their other products, Outlaw will not accept returns on cables. They will replace them if they are damaged, but no refunds.

ted_b · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 12:26 am »

One other nit about the Outlaw ic's. Their barrels are so damn big that putting 6 of them in a 5.1 analog input section is very very crowded. But they are a good value.

Ted

Rocket · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 02:10 am »

Hi Guys,

I've been toying with the idea of purchasing a multi player for a while now. I've been holding off purchasing one as i'm not sure if the titles that are available and in the future will justify the outlyay.

What do you think?

Regards

Rod

ted_b · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 02:48 am »

C'mon in, the water's fine.

Those of us that have invested good $$ into hi-rez (SACD and/or DVD-Audio) will probably tell you its the right thing to do...cuz we did it. A little self justification....

Your mileage may vary...but with me the titles in SACD have been plentiful enough, and of incredible quality, to easily justify. Stones ABCO catalog, Peter Gabriel catalog, Police catalog, Beck, theunbelievable mid-1950's recordings on RCA's Living Stereo classical series, jazz standards and a smattering of new ones, etc. These are all SACD, and some (maybe 50%) are multichannel. The DVD-Audio titles are not quite as plentiful for me, but a good selection nonetheless. I especially like the "indy" stuff on DVD-A from the likes of Chesky, AIX, etc. And of course rock classics like the REM catalog, the Donald Fagen and Steely Dan stuff, Grateful Dead classics, Paul Simon and Yes.

Sooo, it's kinda like asking a barber if you need a haircut, but maybe others will be more objective. Me, I'm hooked.

Ted

Marbles · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 05:09 am »

I have a universal player (modded Pioneer DV-59AVi) and I could live happily without SACD or DVD-A.

I would make sure your CD and concert DVD playback is up to snuff before I went the Hi-Rez route....

jcoat007 · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 01:10 pm »

Quote from: brosephus

Now that I know SACD only works through the analog jacks, I could use a recommendation on getting some cables for it. If monster is not good enough what would you guys recommend that's under $100?

I know this is not in the "under $100" category, but if you can scrape a little extra cash this might be a solution for you:

http://www.rscables.com/page7.html

$179 plus $8 shipping.