SACD transport - recommendations please

[James105]

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

My financial advisor has informed me that if you keep posting links like this I have to block you 🙂

 

[nopiano]

My financial advisor has informed me that if you keep posting links like this I have to block you 🙂

🤭🤣🤫😂

 

[James105]

🤭🤣🤫😂

but seriously, what would you feed it ? I looked for SACD discs and there not a lot

 

[nopiano]

but seriously, what would you feed it ? I looked for SACD discs and there not a lot

I listen mostly to ‘classical’ music, and there are dozens from BIS, LSO Live, Chandos, Linn, Channel Classics, etc. More are released every month. But I believe there’s far fewer for ‘chart’ music, or whatever pop is called these days.

I have a few ‘special editions’ too, like DSOTM Anniversay edition, and War of the Worlds (which I still have the original LP of too!).

 

[Al ears]

I listen mostly to ‘classical’ music, and there are dozens from BIS, LSO Live, Chandos, Linn, Channel Classics, etc. More are released every month. But I believe there’s far fewer for ‘chart’ music, or whatever pop is called these days.

I have a few ‘special editions’ too, like DSOTM Anniversay edition, and War of the Worlds (which I still have the original LP of too!).

Agreed.
Still plenty, of all genres, released for the Japanese market and MOFI produce a SACD whenever they release a new LP.
I own loads.

 

[Jasonovich]

but seriously, what would you feed it ? I looked for SACD discs and there not a lot

SACD Japanese sites have a more extensive collection but pricey! 😌

 

[daytona600]

£31,000 transport & £30,000 DAC

tIAQWO 2 : TRANSPORT SACD high end audio Made in France

tlAQWO 2, designed and manufactured in France by Métronome audio, is an SACD transport and upsampling upsampler.

www.metronome.audio

 

[Revolutions]

I’d count myself pretty damn lucky if I could afford a £60k hifi, let alone for an SACD player 😎

This thread has actually killed my desire for an SACD player. Well, not quite. But I didn’t think that most players won’t output DSD via digital. It would stop me using it as a transport. Given the fact I’ve barely got room for a half-size cd player in my little setup, plus the zero number of SACDs I own, it would be pretty silly to go for a specific player.

 

[Al ears]

I’d count myself pretty damn lucky if I could afford a £60k hifi, let alone for an SACD player 😎

This thread has actually killed my desire for an SACD player. Well, not quite. But I didn’t think that most players won’t output DSD via digital. It would stop me using it as a transport. Given the fact I’ve barely got room for a half-size cd player in my little setup, plus the zero number of SACDs I own, it would be pretty silly to go for a specific player.

I would agree.
You can pay silly money for a transport as you for an LP turntable but thought this had been made blatantly obvious earlier in this thread

 

[Friesiansam]

You can pay silly money

That goes for any aspect of HiFi.

 

[Al ears]

That goes for any aspect of HiFi.

Now that is stating the obvious, but true.
As I said, in reference to question asked in this particular thread, it is certainly valid.

 

[daytona600]

Esoteric do a nice 4 box job

 

[Al ears]

Esoteric do a nice 4 box job
View attachment 9051

There a SACD transport in that stack?
Unless its a P1.....
As I said PS Audio do it cheaper.

 

[record_spot]

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

You'd be better off looking at the Shanling ET3, which you can get from AliExpress for around £600. You'll need an i2S capable input elsewhere though.

If you just wanted to try SACD, or DSD, then pick up either an Arcam CD37, which has the best DSD sound I've heard (average for CD playback though). Or a used Oppo - you needn't go after the 105 or 205 players which come in at a fair old whack. One of the lower priced models will give you DSD playback for CD. That's about the best option you have, but that's outwith your initial requirement.

 

[Jasonovich]

You'd be better off looking at the Shanling ET3, which you can get from AliExpress for around £600. You'll need an i2S capable input elsewhere though.

If you just wanted to try SACD, or DSD, then pick up either an Arcam CD37, which has the best DSD sound I've heard (average for CD playback though). Or a used Oppo - you needn't go after the 105 or 205 players which come in at a fair old whack. One of the lower priced models will give you DSD playback for CD. That's about the best option you have, but that's outwith your initial requirement.

You reminded me of the other Shanling product, the Onix XST20.
I recall looking at it and thinking 1.9k, little pricey for me.
Something OP can look into, haven't check the full specs, SACD/CD transport and DSD512.
Link below

AliExpress:
￡1,995.02 | SHANLING ONIX Zenith XST20 Flagship High-End SACD / CD Transport True DSD Support I2S USB AES EBU BNC Coaxial Optical Outputs

SHANLING ONIX Zenith XST20 Flaggschiff High-End SACD/CD Transport True DSD Unterstützung I2S USB AES EBU BNC Koaxiale optische Ausgänge - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[Al ears]

You reminded me of the other Shanling product, the Onix XST20.
I recall looking at it and thinking 1.9k, little pricey for me.
Something OP can look into, haven't check the full specs, SACD/CD transport and DSD512.
Link below

AliExpress:
￡1,995.02 | SHANLING ONIX Zenith XST20 Flagship High-End SACD / CD Transport True DSD Support I2S USB AES EBU BNC Coaxial Optical Outputs

SHANLING ONIX Zenith XST20 Flaggschiff High-End SACD/CD Transport True DSD Unterstützung I2S USB AES EBU BNC Koaxiale optische Ausgänge - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

Agreed, see Post #4

 

[Jasonovich]

Agreed, see Post #4

Duly acknowledged, and I thought I was the Chi-Fi diva 😂!

 

[Al ears]

Duly acknowledged, and I thought I was the Chi-Fi diva 😂!

It was mentioned some time ago on the forum and it looked interesting. Certainly cheaper than the PS Audio equivalent.

 

[Jasonovich]

This strictly isn't a stand alone digital transport but the Shanling SCD1.3 SACD CD player is a box of tricks, you can play your DSD file via USB (front).
Loads of rear connection options and price is reasonable(ish) - check the link. 🙂

Shanling scd 1,3 sacd cd player ak4499ex ak4191 dac chips sanyo hd870 me1389ee system bluetooth ldac hi-res audio pcm768 dsd512 - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[Al ears]

Not sure why many are promoting Chi-Fi products without attempting to answer the OPs question....
But, hey ho! That's this forum for you.....

 

[Rodolfo]

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

I've been satisfied with my Yamaha DV-S1800. It beautifully plays the SACDs that I'm fortunate to borrow from the many of my friend and neighbor, or the few I stumble upon from the public library. Not all are noteworthy recordings, and sometimes we compare with vinyl or CD versions for fun, but most all are joyful listens.

But if the Accuphase is of interest, here's an offer of new items, here with its worthy processor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1464964026...bq5glG5PlTE2ircCY1DrI6Lp4=|tkp:Bk9SR4bU9pPUZQ

 

[Jasonovich]

I've been satisfied with my Yamaha DV-S1800. It beautifully plays the SACDs that I'm fortunate to borrow from the many of my friend and neighbor, or the few I stumble upon from the public library. Not all are noteworthy recordings, and sometimes we compare with vinyl or CD versions for fun, but most all are joyful listens.

But if the Accuphase is of interest, here's an offer of new items, here with its worthy processor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/146496402683?_skw=Accuphase+DP-90+CD+transport&itmmeta=01JTGKXN7RMKD12BBX2E6N85DK&hash=item221bddb4fb:g:k3UAAOSwD4Bn8K-T&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1ezlo3hMHxOU/VGWfrtLRtenUkEiuOVWsm+7gaNpHAamHVQeWmh0kT53GYZ7XnG6BZ6TbW3WlO20cskiS1WzczB39xdvM16P+2xo9GmFLNY84T8mu2zZMl052JcWFyrXOl4V8EdYOcw3gGdogxvutnoxmujWmzAdoBxDu81piW6dPDMr28ooMmUDI1Ea8hJ46TXk2PjVmL+OWMsIfn3OXl5DXBn+I7AIM7zd/AHOHWP0yBAPr9KATdpa6s3C6kWu8FY6knEdF0geAvbMj9waFhp+ooOeomRSE3YwXrMEjbq5glG5PlTE2ircCY1DrI6Lp4=|tkp:Bk9SR4bU9pPUZQ

Ouch I've just seen the price, quality machine though 😊

 

[manicm]

Not sure why many are promoting Chi-Fi products without attempting to answer the OPs question....
But, hey ho! That's this forum for you.....

Because there are not that many SACD transports or players in the relatively affordable market?

And even these Chi Fi ones are not 100% decoding independently as, like your universal BluRay players, they convert to PCM internally. Today it's only high end disc players thqt will preserve the DSD stream unconverted before analogue conversion.

As far as I know Sony still take a cut for SACD playback.

 

[nopiano]

I've been satisfied with my Yamaha DV-S1800. It beautifully plays the SACDs that I'm fortunate to borrow from the many of my friend and neighbor, or the few I stumble upon from the public library. Not all are noteworthy recordings, and sometimes we compare with vinyl or CD versions for fun, but most all are joyful listens.

But if the Accuphase is of interest, here's an offer of new items, here with its worthy processor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/146496402683?_skw=Accuphase+DP-90+CD+transport&itmmeta=01JTGKXN7RMKD12BBX2E6N85DK&hash=item221bddb4fb:g:k3UAAOSwD4Bn8K-T&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1ezlo3hMHxOU/VGWfrtLRtenUkEiuOVWsm+7gaNpHAamHVQeWmh0kT53GYZ7XnG6BZ6TbW3WlO20cskiS1WzczB39xdvM16P+2xo9GmFLNY84T8mu2zZMl052JcWFyrXOl4V8EdYOcw3gGdogxvutnoxmujWmzAdoBxDu81piW6dPDMr28ooMmUDI1Ea8hJ46TXk2PjVmL+OWMsIfn3OXl5DXBn+I7AIM7zd/AHOHWP0yBAPr9KATdpa6s3C6kWu8FY6knEdF0geAvbMj9waFhp+ooOeomRSE3YwXrMEjbq5glG5PlTE2ircCY1DrI6Lp4=|tkp:Bk9SR4bU9pPUZQ

But 100 volts, which is why many Japanese items look good value, but not for UK or EU buyers. What a shame more don’t have switchable voltages like the good old days.

 

[Al ears]

But 100 volts, which is why many Japanese items look good value, but not for UK or EU buyers. What a shame more don’t have switchable voltages like the good old days.

And a tad expensive.