I have the Oppo 105. I have a lot of SACDs. The biggest improvement was buying the Bryston DAC3, which has HDMI inputs. Program the Oppo to output DSD over HDMI and sit back and enjoy
For SACD fans only
Want to upgrade my SACD playback, currently have Oppo 105-D, which has been fine, but the weak link in my setup. I have a Hegel H390, Raidho XT-2’s and Ansuz cabling throughout, including the DTC distribution box. Currently love the system synergy, sound and setup, but want to upgrade.
So my question for the forum is-- I have narrowed it down to a couple of options and would like to hear thoughts...
1- PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport, which is now on sale for $4000, and a DAC. I could wait for PS Audio’s forthcoming new Directstream DAC, which they say will utilize the same galvanic isolation in their Perfectwave transport. The reason for the match is the I2S connection, which can deliver "pure" DSD. I believe that a Sony chip is necessary. Another DAC option is to go with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC for around $5000. It has the I2S input, but I don’t believe it will play the "pure" DSD layer.
2- Esoteric K-05XD or Esoteric K-07XD SACD player. Two players not currently available but will be in the next month or 2, for I believe $8500 and $7500 respectively. Esoteric has confirmed to me that they will be available shortly. The nice thing here is that you get 2-in-1, both a high-end transport (one could argue the best available transport at any price) and also a fantastic DAC. I have read reviews of the Esoteric K-03XD, which is available and has the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC. The K-05XD and K-07XD will also use the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC-- reviews are that this is a big step up from previous Esoteric models, and sound fantastic. They have a USB input and other digital inputs, so you can utilize the internal DAC if I should use a server or go the streaming route-- or both.
Currently don’t use a server or streamer, but both options give me that flexibility. One box or 2 boxes? (Holo May DAC would make it 3 boxes!)
Won’t be able to audition unless I buy both and then return one.
Thoughts? Thanks
So my question for the forum is-- I have narrowed it down to a couple of options and would like to hear thoughts...
1- PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport, which is now on sale for $4000, and a DAC. I could wait for PS Audio’s forthcoming new Directstream DAC, which they say will utilize the same galvanic isolation in their Perfectwave transport. The reason for the match is the I2S connection, which can deliver "pure" DSD. I believe that a Sony chip is necessary. Another DAC option is to go with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC for around $5000. It has the I2S input, but I don’t believe it will play the "pure" DSD layer.
2- Esoteric K-05XD or Esoteric K-07XD SACD player. Two players not currently available but will be in the next month or 2, for I believe $8500 and $7500 respectively. Esoteric has confirmed to me that they will be available shortly. The nice thing here is that you get 2-in-1, both a high-end transport (one could argue the best available transport at any price) and also a fantastic DAC. I have read reviews of the Esoteric K-03XD, which is available and has the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC. The K-05XD and K-07XD will also use the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC-- reviews are that this is a big step up from previous Esoteric models, and sound fantastic. They have a USB input and other digital inputs, so you can utilize the internal DAC if I should use a server or go the streaming route-- or both.
Currently don’t use a server or streamer, but both options give me that flexibility. One box or 2 boxes? (Holo May DAC would make it 3 boxes!)
Won’t be able to audition unless I buy both and then return one.
Thoughts? Thanks
Showing 2 responses by mahler123
@ghdprentice You’re not trying to be argumentative? I’d like to see what happens when you do try. OP states in the post title for SACD lovers. Yes, it is a free forum, but that doesn’t mean you have to derail it. There is no law preventing me from ringing my neighbors doorbell and telling them how much I hate their landscaping choices, but the general consensus in the neighborhood would be that I would be an ahole for doing so. I generally enjoy your posts, particularly about music, but come on. I love SACDs, have a DAC and a player that can extract and play the DSD layer in my two channel system, as well as playing them in my multichannel system. It is a rare redbook CD that comes close to them. High Resolution downloads do, however. As for vinyl? I ain’t going there. Why is it that when someone posts a question here asking about CD or SACD or Blu Ray he gets flooded with posts telling him to listen to lps or buy a streamer, even if they have made it abundantly clear that their interest is in hard disc replay? @fred60 , I will follow your exploration of Esoteric with interest. Please keep posting |