Choosing an SACD player...

es347 · « **on:** 14 Feb 2006, 07:51 pm »

Hello everybody,

I am new to this board but not to this insane hobby. I have a video system with 5.1 but continue to hold tight to the 2 channel ideology having kept my nice stereo system in a dedicated room. My current front end is an Arcam FMJ CD-23 and it is great for redbook but am just about ready to pull the trigger on a new SACD player. I have a Sony player that plays SACD plus video and it's good but I know there is better sound out there. I have narrowed my search to the Marantz SA-11S1 and the Krell SACD Std. The Krell is MCH but I'm reasonably sure that I won't be "upgrading" my critical listening system to MCH any time soon, if ever. If I want to hear MCH SACD I can sit in the sweet spot of my video system (B&K/Martin Logan) and get my fix. Question: have any of you fine folks had experience with both of the units mentioned above? I have read the reviews in S'phile and they like both a lot. Unfortunately I live over 150 mi. from the nearest dealers of either unit so auditioning is not going to happen. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long message.

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Feb 2006, 09:06 pm »

A lot of people think the Onkyo SP1000 is the best of the new SACD players. The Marantz is a bit old but it was a good one when it was new. I think Krell generally don't offer the most value for your money.

I own the Sony XA777ES which is Mch but only ever used it in 2channel.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Feb 2006, 09:55 pm »

If you've got a good CD player, and plan to listen only to 2CH, I personally think it's a waste to buy into SACD. Maybe my ears are tin, maybe my rig is junk, whatever...but stereo SACD just doesn't sound any better to me than plain old CD. At least not consistently better.

Although Sony, for example, does spend more time & energy getting the mastering right for SACD. They've been accused of "sabotaging" the CD layer of their hybrids to make the SACD appear to have an edge. Take this FWIW.

stvnharr · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Feb 2006, 10:55 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

If you've got a good CD player, and plan to listen only to 2CH, I personally think it's a waste to buy into SACD. Maybe my ears are tin, maybe my rig is junk, whatever...but stereo SACD just doesn't sound any better to me than plain old CD. At least not consistently better.

Although Sony, for example, does spend more time & energy getting the mastering right for SACD. They've been accused of "sabotaging" the CD layer of their hybrids to make the SACD appear to have an edge. Take this FWIW.

Hello,
First of all, sacd is not a waste of money, but it does depend on ones musical preferences. Sacd is very good for classical music, even in 2 channel. For pop music, well, there's not much high resolution to get.

As for players, I have a Marantz 8260, which doesn't cost much, is good as is, and sounds great with some modifications especially on the rbcd side. It retired my very expensive rbcd player.

For a 2 channel player it's hard to go wrong with a SA-11, if it fits the budget. But I haven't listened to one in my system, so can only hazard a guess that it would be a more refined 8260 sound.

Steve

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Feb 2006, 11:19 pm »

Most of my SACDs are classical and jazz. Oh, well. We all hear something different.

rbrb · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Feb 2006, 11:31 pm »

The Shanling SCD-T200 would be my first choice in your price range.
http://www.charismaaudio.com/products_SL.html

There are many very positive reviews on the net and in magazines.
http://search.ecoustics.com/a.php?search=shanling+SCD-T200

es347 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Feb 2006, 12:16 am »

Quote from: rbrb

The Shanling SCD-T200 would be my first choice in your price range.
http://www.charismaaudio.com/products_SL.html

There are many very positive reviews on the net and in magazines.
http://search.ecoustics.com/a.php?search=shanling+SCD-T200

I've seen this machine before but never seriously considered it because of the tube output but I see where you have both SS and tube outputs. Interesting. Of oourse there's a super-duper mod out there that gets the price up to over $4K. It certainly is the most attractive of the bunch. Thanks for the input.

es347 · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Feb 2006, 12:18 am »

Quote from: JoshK

A lot of people think the Onkyo SP1000 is the best of the new SACD players. The Marantz is a bit old but it was a good one when it was new. I think Krell generally don't offer the most value for your money.

I own the Sony XA777ES which is Mch but only ever used it in 2channel.

Josh,

I thought the SA11S1 was relatively new. When was it brought out??

jimmyp58 · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Feb 2006, 12:30 am »

The Marantz SA-11S1 plays SACD but only 2-channel. I own it and it is superb.

I used to own an Onkyo DV-SP1000 and I thought it was the absolute best universal player available in terms of both video and audio (had a Denon DVD-5900 before that). I recently sold it and took on a Marantz DV-9600. The Onk will always have a soft spot in my heart but that 9600 trashes it in every phase.

mtodde · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Feb 2006, 03:58 am »

I love my Marantz SA-8260. It is a great CD player as well as a multi-channel SACD player.