I compared Redbook playback of the Cary players and the RB playback of the Sony 777ES pretty seriously awhile back & second Abe's suggestion. For my money, I much preferred the Carys. SACD can sound very fine, but the vast (I mean VAST) majority of the actual music I listen to for pleasure in the real world is on regular CD. The Sonys will easily surpass any 10 year old front end on RB(except maybe a Bidat) but the Carys will sound much more musical on RB, especially on acoustic music, than the Sonys. Many people love their Sony's RB playback. It wasn't open or tonally full enough for me. You might like it just fine, however.
You might add Metronome to your short list of one box cdps also.
Go to digital forum at AA - many posts on this subject there.
You might add Metronome to your short list of one box cdps also.
Go to digital forum at AA - many posts on this subject there.