scubasteve:
Has anyone had a chance to listen or review the new esoteric SA-50 CDP. On paper it sounds like a great piece of kit especially with the various digital inputs. It is obviously pretty damn expensive though so may need to consider a DACx and CDxtse combo instead.
I would be feeding the output to a Classe CAP-2100 and B&W 805s.
The reason for these players is that we have a lot of music in lossless format on an apple TV
Allright Steve,
Can't exactly help you with regard to direct experiences with the SA-50.
I currently use,the SA-50's immediate forebear,a modified SA-60.Which i was fortunate enough to procure from a friend who upgraded recently.The only differences i can distinguish between the two models are:
SA-50 - CD/SACD playback only(no DVD-A).AKM AK4392 32-bit DAC in dual-mono configuration(1 DAC chip per channel).Supporting max. 32-bit/176.4KHz,192KHz PCM & DSD.USB(PCM) input.S/PDIF & optical inputs.
SA-60 - CD,SACD & DVD-A playback.Cirrus Logic CS4398 24-bit DAC in dual-mono config.Supporting max. 24-bit/192KHz PCM & DSD.5.1 multi-channel analogue outputs.
Not having heard the new player myself,the 32-bit dual-mono DAC's should potentially help to improve the SA-50's sonic performance over the SA-60(in standard factory issue form) by adding depth & dimensionality to soundstaging,more sharply focussed & greater solidity to imaging.Also the addition of the USB input can only serve to prolong it's usefulness.
They both share a similar balanced circuit design & 2 XLR outputs.The same VOSP disc-drive mechanism,power-supplies & PCM>DSD signal-conversion capability.Therefore,i can't imagine the SA-50 sounding too dissimilar from other players within the Esoteric stable.
Being hyper-critical & having previously heard some entry-to-mid level Esoteric players in standard/stock form,they can betray a slightly cool & metallic tonal character.On occaision lacking a little in openness & a presentation which may border on the almost oppressively forward.Imparting them with qualities which may be perceived as a tad clinical & lean sounding.Particularly from the upper-bass to upper-mid range.
Sonic traits which are exagerated when partnered with less than sympathetic associated componentry.And even more so when playing recordings of less than decent quality.Although,i must say that these minor complaints do largely diminish & disappear completely as one moves through each successive model in their range.
On the flip-side.They do have a deserved reputation for excellent bass performance,exceptional detail retrieval,expressive dynamics,low background noise,rock-solid timing & bomb-proof build quality - some Esoteric players weigh as much as(if not more than) many amp's.So,i don't think you'll have much cause to regret your purchase.
The only misgiving i have is that your B&W805s' won't have the frequency range to fully exploit the SA-50's capability to extract the smallest details from high resolution recordings.And more especially when it comes to the players replay of lower frequencies.
I only intended to use my modified SA-60 as a stop-gap,before eventually graduating to a more senior/sophisticated CD/SACD player.But,i can see myself holding on to this player for a good while yet.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
BABUR.