Which SACD player 2nd hand?

[admin_exported]

Guys,

I want to buy a 2nd hand SACD player.

At the moment I got the following options:

1) Oppo DV-980H

2) Yamaha DVD-S2700

3) Sony DVP-S9000ES

4) Sony DVP-NS900V

All of these are multi format players. I am buying them mostly for sonic reasons (SACD playback). Which one would be better?
Since I already have a 555ES, which sounds amazing, I would be inclined to go for the S9000ES, which used to be Sony's flagship.

Any recommendations? I'd like to have an answer in the next few hours, because that's when I need to make up my mind.

Cheers!

Kryn

 

[Anonymous]

i would think the SCD 555es would be better than the ones you mention so why change

 

[the record spot]

Are you looking to replace the Sony??? Presumably not as it was a fine player.

Better? I have no idea. What purpose is it for? Multichannel (which not all of these are)? Whatever...here's my findings to date! Sleuth-Spot's on the case!

The Oppo could be seen as the easy option; great budget deck, well reviewed all over the place and well supported by Oppo.

The Sony 900V gets a great review from TNT Audio, fast and detailed over warm and smooth apparently with a leaner bass. I like what I read from that site and they're enerally pretty on the money from what I've seen. The 900 originally went for around 700euros, so at the time, that may have been around £400 or so.

The 9000ES dates from circa 2001, built like a tank and allows you to select audio only (by switching off the video circuitry, so a "pure direct" kind of feature) as well as featuring apparently audiophile grade components throughout. Sony hadn't long come up with SACD, so they were pushing it hard still here. The reviewer on the site I found (US based, not Stereophile though), felt audio performance in general was well above mainstream for such a unit, reference even (for a DVD player anyway) and SACD was very decent. Another reviewer (John Sunier) goes further when he gets all the waffley preamble about his system and running the player in for 400 hours (please, get a grip John...) and rates it as exceptional apparently. Better indeed than the Sony 777ES according to him, which was a step up from your 555ES. Leaves the CD replay behind supposedly, so maybe worth trying this one out?

Here's some stats on the 9000ES player:-

"24-bit/96KHz Digital Output.
24-bit/96KHz Current Pulse D/A Converter.
VC 24 Plus Digital Filter.
Two Audio Master Clocks.
Audio Direct Output.
Separate Audio Circuit Board.
Twin R-Core Power Transformers.
Multiple Power Supply Secondaries.
Audiophile Parts.
Super Audio Compact Disc

Plays Back Super Audio CD (SACD) Software.
Direct Stream Digital 1-Bit Coding.
Sample Rate of 2,822,400 Hz.
Accurate Complementary Pulse Density Modulation (ACP) Stage.
Separate CD and SACD Low-Pass Filters.
Construction

Precision Drive FX Mechanism with Dynamic Focus Pickup and Tilt Mechanism.
Copper-Plated Frame and Beam Chassis.
Off Center Isolator Feet.
Hermetic Shutter.
BMC Mechanical Deck.
Mechanical Deck Isolators .
Aluminum Front Panel.
High-Speed, High-Precision Servo DSP."

The Yamaha is a pretty recent effort, so assume that current data or reviews are easy to be found in mag listings or Yamaha's site.

Think my money would be heading towards the higher end Sony, but expect to pay around £200-£350 at a dealer's. Loud and Clear had one (in Edinburgh) last year; £350 asking price used, but mint.

 

[Anonymous]

Just for clarification, it would be a second player. No chance of me replacing the 555ES, heheh.

I mainly want to get it for SACD playback, the rest is less important to me. I know the ES range quite well and know what to expect from it, but I don't know comparable brands. I can find reviews for just about anything but no comparisons against the 555ES (which would be my reference).
If someone could suggest a dedicated SACD player for around the 200GBP marker that can live up to the 555ES quality for sound, that would be great (i.e. I am open to alternatives like Marantz or Denon)

 

[the record spot]

What did the 555ES retail for on release?

 

[Anonymous]

The 555ES when just released, retailed at about 1000GBP. I bought it in 2005 or 2006 though for half price, at about 400 GBP new in a sale.

 

[the record spot]

Well, my player below was £600/650 on release, and I usually sing its praises (see the other SACD thread on here just now), but that's going to be another £100 and maybe then some for a used or ex-dem model. Not sure what to suggest at £200 that would complement the 555 (and unlikely to surpass it).

 

[Anonymous]

why not buy new the sony scd xe 597 is available for £150 and is a good sacd player the cd side isnt so hot but if you want to play sacds only its fine

 

[Anonymous]

I doubt the XE597 is ES quality when it comes to playing SACDs, and for 50 GBP extra I get a 20kg ES quality SACD player...

I have to say, if I could get my hands on a 555ES, or even a 333ES for 200GBP, I would take that over the S9000ES I think.

If I can get the Yamaha S2700 for under 100GBP that would be my first choice (and get a proper dedicated SACD player when I have more money).

Ofcourse other opinions I would love to consider...