Someone is still taking SACD seriously

[Al ears]

Interestingly it's Shanling.

Shanling SCD3.3 Launches as New Flagship Top-Loading SACD Player

Shanling has lifted the lid on the SCD3.3, a new flagship SACD player that mixes old-school disc playback with some very modern engineering.

stereonet.com

 

[Revolutions]

That's really cool.

 

[Al ears]

That's really cool.

I thought so.
Unfortunately my old Oppo is still going strong.
🙂

 

[manicm]

It's nearly 4k GBP, and does not state clearly if the internal DAC truly decodes DSD or converts it to PCM. The I2S and USB outputs allow DSD externally, but at this price I really want to know what I'm getting apart from using their own disc transport and laser mechanisms which is admirable.

Otherwise one may well stick to a high-end Marantz.

 

[Al ears]

It's nearly 4k GBP, and does not state clearly if the internal DAC truly decodes DSD or converts it to PCM. The I2S and USB outputs allow DSD externally, but at this price I really want to know what I'm getting apart from using their own disc transport and laser mechanisms which is admirable.

Otherwise one may well stick to a high-end Marantz.

True, but do Marantz convert to PCM?
Shanling website states " True DSD data from SACD for internal DAC and Digital Outputs (I2S & Coaxial) " , whatever that means.
Nice to see an I2S output but that means an expensive external dac would be required.

 

[manicm]

True, but do Marantz convert to PCM?
Shanling website states " True DSD data from SACD for internal DAC and Digital Outputs (I2S & Coaxial) " , whatever that means.
Nice to see an I2S output but that means an expensive external dac would be required.

The Marantz SACD 30n and the flagship SACD 10 explicitly do not convert DSD.

 

[daytona600]

New one from Esoteric

 

[nopiano]

Fascinating too that they’re using the rather unusual R2R DAC approach, which seems rather a DIY choice given the availability of so many great DAC chips, or programmable FGPA devices. But I applaud the ingenuity and distinctive design.

Would be curious to know their sales volumes, as although a novelty here, I could believe there is significant demand in Japan, China and Korea for example.

 

[Al ears]

Fascinating too that they’re using the rather unusual R2R DAC approach, which seems rather a DIY choice given the availability of so many great DAC chips, or programmable FGPA devices. But I applaud the ingenuity and distinctive design.

Would be curious to know their sales volumes, as although a novelty here, I could believe there is significant demand in Japan, China and Korea for example.

Yes indeed, it seems it is the Japanese primarily keep SACD sales alive although interesting to see that MOFI usually offer an SACD version of their latest LP releases.

 

[Al ears]

New one from Esoteric

View attachment 10392

Slightly outside my budget at £28.8k

 

[daytona600]

£28k is mid range for Esoteric

 

[Jasonovich]

Shanling Onix range is also SACD and about half the price of their flag ship, looking out on eBay for second hand.

I am also looking for mini CD player for my study, I just missed out on the auction for Creek 4040 CD mini player open box yesterday.
New, retailing currently at £699.
Beautiful looking player but Not cheap!

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Al ears]

Shanling Onix range is also SACD and about half the price of their flag ship, looking out on eBay for second hand.

I am also looking for mini CD player for my study, I just missed out on the auction for Creek 4040 CD mini player open box yesterday.
New, retailing currently at £699.
Beautiful looking player but Not cheap!

Pardon our interruption...

A niche player and I am more interested in something that will play SACDs.

 

[nopiano]

A niche player and I am more interested in something that will play SACDs.

This is one of the best SACD bargains I reckon.

Denon DCD-1700NE CD/SACD Player with Advanced AL32 Processing Plus - Black

Enjoy accurate audio reproduction that’s faithful to the original recording. Thanks to technologies like Advanced AL32 Processing Plus and an ultra-precision D/A Converter, you’ll hear your favourite songs like never before. The Denon-original drive mechanism with S.V.H lets you play back CDs...

petertyson.co.uk

 

[Jasonovich]

A niche player and I am more interested in something that will play SACDs.

It's actually a transport that plays SACD 🙂, you do need a seriously good DAC to make sense of your purchase. These transport are a good idea, why must we replicate costs, if you already own a decent DAC?

View: https://youtu.be/PrJpEQJob3g?si=XE3tj-93gMZx90MW

No Wi-Fi, No Apps, No Nonsense: Meet the Onix Zenith XST20 SACD Transport - HomeTheaterReview

Shanling’s latest Onix-branded device isn’t trying to replace your streamer—it’s here to serve your CD and SACD collection, plain and simple.

hometheaterreview.com

https://darko.audio/2025/03/the-onix-zenith-xst20-is-a-new-sacd-transport-from-shanling/

 

[Al ears]

It's actually a transport that plays SACD 🙂, you do need a seriously good DAC to make sense of your purchase. These transport are a good idea, why must we replicate costs, if you already own a decent DAC?

View: https://youtu.be/PrJpEQJob3g?si=XE3tj-93gMZx90MW

No Wi-Fi, No Apps, No Nonsense: Meet the Onix Zenith XST20 SACD Transport - HomeTheaterReview

Shanling’s latest Onix-branded device isn’t trying to replace your streamer—it’s here to serve your CD and SACD collection, plain and simple.

hometheaterreview.com

https://darko.audio/2025/03/the-onix-zenith-xst20-is-a-new-sacd-transport-from-shanling/

I was referring to the Creek 4040.
To answer your question regarding already owning a decent DAC is it would have to be an expensive one with I2S input if you wanted DSD output from the transport, if you just want to play CDs the Onix is overkill

 

[Jasonovich]

I was referring to the Creek 4040

Ah....yes, CD only.
Nice though, a British brand is committed to the format.