SACD transport - recommendations please

[Jasonovich]

@James105

Beautifully constructed, the price unobtainable for me but those who want to invest in a decent transport worth investigating. I like the CD/SACD mechanism is top loading.

Shanling Onix Zenith XST20 CD Transport - Black

The Onix Zenith XST20 is a high-end SACD/CD transport built for audiophiles who value pure, uncompromised disc playback, offering true DSD output and wide compatibility with top-tier DACs. It’s the first in a new line of matching components, combining elegant design with a focused, no-frills...

petertyson.co.uk

And here's the matching DAC, nice! Four and half grand for two boxes, not cheap but probably the only upgrade you'll ever need.
It's good Peter Tyson has taken on the UK distributorship, this will give people the confidence to buy.

Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 High End ESS DAC - Black

The Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 is a top-tier DAC built for high-end Hi-Fi setups, using dual ES9039Pro DAC chips, advanced analog circuitry, and a high-quality power supply for clear, stable sound. It supports a wide range of inputs, includes a headphone amp, and is housed in a beautifully...

petertyson.co.uk

 

[nopiano]

Hi, thanks for the welcome. I live in Australia and bought the player through AliExpress. It took five days to arrive and was well packed. I did look at the Shanling website, but AliExpress had a better price.
Hope that helps

Ah, ok, thank you. Unfortunately, AliExpress puts me off as much of it looks like fakes or copies, so I’d not trust it. I realise folks here in GB say the same about ebay which I’m comfortable with.

Glad you’re happy with the purchase!

 

[Al ears]

@James105

Beautifully constructed, the price unobtainable for me but those who want to invest in a decent transport worth investigating. I like the CD/SACD mechanism is top loading.

View attachment 9989

Shanling Onix Zenith XST20 CD Transport - Black

The Onix Zenith XST20 is a high-end SACD/CD transport built for audiophiles who value pure, uncompromised disc playback, offering true DSD output and wide compatibility with top-tier DACs. It’s the first in a new line of matching components, combining elegant design with a focused, no-frills...

petertyson.co.uk

And here's the matching DAC, nice! Four and half grand for two boxes, not cheap but probably the only upgrade you'll ever need.
It's good Peter Tyson has taken on the UK distributorship, this will give people the confidence to buy.

View attachment 9990

Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 High End ESS DAC - Black

The Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 is a top-tier DAC built for high-end Hi-Fi setups, using dual ES9039Pro DAC chips, advanced analog circuitry, and a high-quality power supply for clear, stable sound. It supports a wide range of inputs, includes a headphone amp, and is housed in a beautifully...

petertyson.co.uk

It is indeed cheaper than anything else down the SACD transport and dsd capable dac route that I know of, and that's only one other.... And that's PS Audio, that's 6.5k for the transport alone, and another 6.5k for the DAC, gulp!

 

[Jasonovich]

It is indeed cheaper than anything else down the SACD transport and dsd capable dac route that I know of, and that's only one other.... And that's PS Audio, that's 6.5k for the transport alone, and another 6.5k for the DAC, gulp!

Double ouch!!
My thoughts crossed over to Auralic, I think this is a reality check for Western based manufacturers to reduce their over inflated prices.

 

[James105]

@James105

Beautifully constructed, the price unobtainable for me but those who want to invest in a decent transport worth investigating. I like the CD/SACD mechanism is top loading.

View attachment 9989

Shanling Onix Zenith XST20 CD Transport - Black

The Onix Zenith XST20 is a high-end SACD/CD transport built for audiophiles who value pure, uncompromised disc playback, offering true DSD output and wide compatibility with top-tier DACs. It’s the first in a new line of matching components, combining elegant design with a focused, no-frills...

petertyson.co.uk

And here's the matching DAC, nice! Four and half grand for two boxes, not cheap but probably the only upgrade you'll ever need.
It's good Peter Tyson has taken on the UK distributorship, this will give people the confidence to buy.

View attachment 9990

Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 High End ESS DAC - Black

The Shanling Onix Zenith XDA20 is a top-tier DAC built for high-end Hi-Fi setups, using dual ES9039Pro DAC chips, advanced analog circuitry, and a high-quality power supply for clear, stable sound. It supports a wide range of inputs, includes a headphone amp, and is housed in a beautifully...

petertyson.co.uk

No idea why you'd think my pockets are that deep 🙂 but even if they where its the lack of discs thats the issue for me. I did/am considering the Magnetar UDP800 at £1300 but still the issue is discs, do I really need another copy of DSOTM?

 

[Al ears]

No idea why you'd think my pockets are that deep 🙂 but even if they where its the lack of discs thats the issue for me. I did/am considering the Magnetar UDP800 at £1300 but still the issue is discs, do I really need another copy of DSOTM?

Obviously not......
PS: have you seen the cost of LPs??
🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

No idea why you'd think my pockets are that deep 🙂 but even if they where its the lack of discs thats the issue for me. I did/am considering the Magnetar UDP800 at £1300 but still the issue is discs, do I really need another copy of DSOTM?

Ha ha 😊, I don't mean for you to purchase, I copied you in because you first mentioned Peter Tyson and sort of given you the credit 😜
But hey ho you make a fair point 😊

 

[James105]

Obviously not......
PS: have you seen the cost of LPs??
🙂

Yes and I'm gobsmacked especially remembering what I paid for them the first time around 🙂

 

[Al ears]

Yes and I'm gobsmacked especially remembering what I paid for them the first time around 🙂

So, cost of new 45rpm double LP against cost of SACD disc of same album equals no-brainer. Which is why SACD still going strong in Japan.

 

[James105]

So, cost of new 45rpm double LP against cost of SACD disc of same album equals no-brainer. Which is why SACD still going strong in Japan.

Yes I think you mentioned some sites 5 or 6 weeks ago and I was looking through them, the average cost seems fair, especially if you started buying CDs in the 80's its just the number of titles available is so small. If I was a classical fan I'd jump in with both feet.