SACD transport - recommendations please

[TRIPLE A]

Hi, am considering picking up an SACD transport and would like recommendations please!
Here's my wishlist:
- don't want to pay for additional DAC or inbuilt amplification. Transport only
- USB output ideally, as the stream from the player would then be fed into USB-based gear which will reconstruct the stream before they then feed my DAC. I'm not interested in having loads of other connection options. This said I've read but not fully absorbed yet, some stuff about Sony encryption with SACD players in that if the player doesn't have appropriate certification(?), then the outputs from the player to a DAC outside of the player are downsampled and output as PCM. True/any more details? I read that PS Audio were able to workaround or reverse engineer the necessary, but their stuff costs a bomb.
- half-width casing ideally, to go with my Cyrus gear
Thanks so much!

 

[Al ears]

Hi, am considering picking up an SACD transport and would like recommendations please!
Here's my wishlist:
- don't want to pay for additional DAC or inbuilt amplification. Transport only
- USB output ideally, as the stream from the player would then be fed into USB-based gear which will reconstruct the stream before they then feed my DAC. I'm not interested in having loads of other connection options. This said I've read but not fully absorbed yet, some stuff about Sony encryption with SACD players in that if the player doesn't have appropriate certification(?), then the outputs from the player to a DAC outside of the player are downsampled and output as PCM. True/any more details? I read that PS Audio were able to workaround or reverse engineer the necessary, but their stuff costs a bomb.
- half-width casing ideally, to go with my Cyrus gear
Thanks so much!

Not much of a chance without paying a fortune.
There was a thread on the forum not so long ago similar to this.
To keep the DSD format of SACD players you need an I2S connection to a DAC that can handle a DSD stream.
All other outputs will be converted to PCM.
PS Audio kit is probably the cheapest that can do this.

 

[TRIPLE A]

Got it thanks a lot for that.
Are there any transports whatsoever that output raw DSD over USB?

 

[Al ears]

Got it thanks a lot for that.
Are there any transports whatsoever that output raw DSD over USB?

Not to my knowledge.
I don even know if its possible.
This may be of interest:-

Shanling's ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD Transport is Resurrecting a "Dead" Audiophile Format—And We're Somehow Okay With It

At $2,399, the Shanling ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD Transport is here to breathe new life into the "dead" audiophile formats of SACD and CD.

www.ecoustics.com

 

[TRIPLE A]

OK thanks. SACD is an absolute deadend for me in that case. The ROI of getting an I2S setup just isn't there.

 

[Integralista]

OK thanks. SACD is an absolute deadend for me in that case. The ROI of getting an I2S setup just isn't there.

On the hand, if you have good Cyrus CDi player or some older, they sound terrific for their size and price. For sure such player will sound better than SACD from Denon 1700 or similar Marantz. I will bet my trousers. But machine like Magnetar UDP 900 will sound better. It is based on Oppo harritage and is very universal for audio and video playback. It costs around 3000,- Eur. Has full stack of inputs amd outputs. BR.

 

[matthewpianist]

You're not missing anything without SACD. I've owned SACD players, including a Denon DCD-1600NE and a Sony one, and I have quite a number of Hybrid SACD discs - Chandos and BIS have been producing them as standard for many years now. At best, the differences are subtle and not worth getting too bothered about.

 

[nopiano]

It’s not what you asked for, but it’s an excuse to post about this luxury Mark Levinson SACD player at a well discounted price!

Mark Levinson No.5101 SACD Player & DAC - Black

Unlock the full potential of your digital music library with the № 5101, a high-performance 3-in-1 audio player that delivers incredibly realistic sound. Featuring a bold industrial design, it integrates a Super Audio CD player, high-resolution streaming, and a Precision Link II DAC for...

petertyson.co.uk

 

[daytona600]

SACD DSD copyright protected issues & players only give analogue out
1 / Original playstation one & rip sacds
2/ Bluray player + break out box
3/ Buy a dedicated Sacd Player
Great SACD players are Very , Very expensive sound quality is world class

GeerFab Audio D.BOB Digital Breakout Box and High-Res Audio Disc Extractor - The Absolute Sound

GeerFab Audio D.BOB Digital Breakout Box and High-Res Audio Disc Extractor -

www.theabsolutesound.com

 

[Al ears]

OK thanks. SACD is an absolute deadend for me in that case. The ROI of getting an I2S setup just isn't there.

Get a dedicated SACD player without worrying about transport into whatever DAC you own.
My old Oppo is better than any I have heard so far.

 

[TRIPLE A]

Honestly there's no point. Right now I only have 2 SACDs. For the material I'd be interested in, I'd rather just download the equivalent digital files as dsf or whatever, then run those through my streamer and regenerator before they then feed the DAC. The quality of that will be better than the SACD player running analogue out into my pre-amp.

 

[Al ears]

Honestly there's no point. Right now I only have 2 SACDs. For the material I'd be interested in, I'd rather just download the equivalent digital files as dsf or whatever, then run those through my streamer and regenerator before they then feed the DAC. The quality of that will be better than the SACD player running analogue out into my pre-amp.

Understood.
It is possible to do what you wanted only at vast cost.

 

[Revolutions]

I went down this rabbit hole recently - the only SACD transport, especially half size is crazy expensive.

The only reasonably priced option I found for a small SACD player is the Denon DCD CX3. Hard to find with European/uk voltage though.

I have been eyeing up a Marantz Sa Ki SACD player. In the end I think I’m going to end up with a cd player and stick to dsd files for that little treat every now & again

 

[Revolutions]

It’s not what you asked for, but it’s an excuse to post about this luxury Mark Levinson SACD player at a well discounted price!

Mark Levinson No.5101 SACD Player & DAC - Black

Unlock the full potential of your digital music library with the № 5101, a high-performance 3-in-1 audio player that delivers incredibly realistic sound. Featuring a bold industrial design, it integrates a Super Audio CD player, high-resolution streaming, and a Precision Link II DAC for...

petertyson.co.uk

This looks awesome 🤩

 

[Jasonovich]

Got it thanks a lot for that.
Are there any transports whatsoever that output raw DSD over USB?

I use a diskless digital transport without the CD/SACD mechanism that transfers to the Native DSD via the USB but I don't recall seeing one on the UK market.
I got mine from AliExpress. Chinese manufacturer Cayin may have what you're looking for, I suspect it isn't going to be cheap.

 

[Friesiansam]

I use a diskless digital transport without the CD/SACD mechanism that transfers to the Native DSD via the USB but I don't recall seeing one on the UK market.
I got mine from AliExpress. Chinese manufacturer Cayin may have what you're looking for, I suspect it isn't going to be cheap.

Surely, if it can't spin and read a disc, it's not a transport or, does it have wheels, so it can carry them around the room? 🤣

 

[TRIPLE A]

My read on the comment is that the device is a streamer of data files (like the SOtC device I have already lol), unless I missed something. I guess my earlier comment asking about any transports that handle DSD over USB, should have clarified that I was referring to a SACD transport.

 

[Jasonovich]

I use a diskless digital transport without the CD/SACD mechanism that transfers to the Native DSD via the USB but I don't recall seeing one on the UK market.
I got mine from AliExpress. Chinese manufacturer Cayin may have what you're looking for, I suspect it isn't going to be cheap.

I saw this second hand Accuphase SACD/CD transport.
Yeah it isn't cheap but looks the business 🙂

Accuphase DP-90 CD / SACD Transport Color Silver Used Working From Japan F/S | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Accuphase DP-90 CD / SACD Transport Color Silver Used Working From Japan F/S at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[TRIPLE A]

Does that device transport a raw DSD stream, or does it downscale and convert to PCM like pretty much every other SACD player and transport when using digital output

 

[Jasonovich]

Surely, if it can't spin and read a disc, it's not a transport or, does it have wheels, so it can carry them around the room? 🤣

Oh behave 😂
It's stores your DSD/FLAC music files and reads off the NAS server. Same thing but without the disk ☺️

 

[Jasonovich]

Does that device transport a raw DSD stream, or does it downscale and convert to PCM like pretty much every other SACD player and transport when using digital output

Done some digging. It's a legacy model, pretty dated.
Unfortunately false alarm 🚨
Doesn't have USB and it's only a 20 bit DAC, it has limited digital output.
Pretty dated, that's a shame.

DP-90 CD transport: Digital outputs: ST-type connector with Hewlett-Packard optical link; AES/EBU balanced XLR; EIAJ-standard optical TosLink; S/PDIF coaxial. Power consumption: 12W.
Dimensions: 18.75" W by 5.875" H by 14.625" D. Weight: 45.2 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: E3Y570.
Price: $7595 (1995); no longer available (2015).

 

[TRIPLE A]

Yeah that was pretty obvious IMO, thanks anyway though. I think it's time to move on from this SACD folly. I've seen some comments elsewhere about ways to effectively jerryrig a way of ripping files off SACDs, but frankly I cba as only have a couple of the discs and I'm sure the data files are out there somewhere anyway

 

[nopiano]

Done some digging. It's a legacy model, pretty dated.
Unfortunately false alarm 🚨
Doesn't have USB and it's only a 20 bit DAC, it has limited digital output.
Pretty dated, that's a shame.

DP-90 CD transport: Digital outputs: ST-type connector with Hewlett-Packard optical link; AES/EBU balanced XLR; EIAJ-standard optical TosLink; S/PDIF coaxial. Power consumption: 12W.
Dimensions: 18.75" W by 5.875" H by 14.625" D. Weight: 45.2 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: E3Y570.
Price: $7595 (1995); no longer available (2015).

100 volts is the biggest snag with Japanese imports, as I’d not want the faff of a transformer. Though if I knew what I was doing there’s probably a 230 volt tap on the transformer!

 

[ianrjones]

I was convinced that a Japanese imported 100V Luxman amp, was the way to go. I purchased a reasonably priced English transformer. (Approx £450). Then I realised it was all fools gold. And a fool and his money are soon parted.
So I have a Transformer for sale, and am now saving for that ellusive amp, not from Japan but from Northen England.
It's all a costly learning curve.
IAN.

 

[nopiano]

I was convinced that a Japanese imported 100V Luxman amp, was the way to go. I purchased a reasonably priced English transformer. (Approx £450). Then I realised it was all fools gold. And a fool and his money are soon parted.
So I have a Transformer for sale, and am now saving for that ellusive amp, not from Japan but from Northen England.
It's all a costly learning curve.
IAN.

Was the transformer no good, or the amp?