So you can go the Esoteric route, Luxman new player route (05, 07 at some point) or the new PS audio transport and new DAC sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2022. I am in the same boat and will be upgrading from my Modwright Marantz fully modded player. Of course there are many foreign options from China. One thing to think about is what do I do when it breaks. I have started to move away from non U.S. products for that reason. I don't want to spend x number of dollars and find service difficult or impossible.
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
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FINALLY!! Esoteric just announced that they will be coming out with a K-05XD this Spring. No pricing announced. Update: I have not upgraded since I posted this over a year ago. PS Audio has not put their Perfectwave SACD transport on sale for $4K recently, still waiting. But $4K for the PS Audio transport (on sale), and $5.5K for the Holo Audio May DAC would put it around $10K. I think that the pricing for the K-05XD might be closer to $7.5K, but I have no idea. If it is $7.5K, then I’ll go with the Esoteric.
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You like SACDs. Why? They are not old enough to be nostalgic. I researched and researched SACDs… whenever they were a thing and waited just long enough for the market to collapse and CD players jump forward in performance as hiRez file purchase became a thing. Then, after that, streaming took the lead as higher resolution files and sound quality of streaming equaled vinyl or any other format. So, here we are. If you really like this niche then, great. I have 2,000 pristine vinyl albums and a world class turntable… although collected over the last 50 years. I try and play an album every couple days. I had an Oppo 105… I gave it away… it was from my home theater… I would never had used it in my audio system. If I was upgrading and not expecting to kick the bucket in the next couple years I would not invest in SACD. My streaming sound quality is equal to my vinyl and exceeds my CD player where high Rez files are played. Qubuz has over half a million hiRez albums… less that $14 / month… millions of albums. But if you really like SACD… go for it. |
I would be willing to give the K-05XD a demo because it has full MQA unfolding and it also plays MQA discs. MQA has improved significantly since they were called out, a year or so ago and 96khz seems to be the limit of what most recordings are truly mastered in. Example the Steven Wilson Yes and Jethro Tull re-masters. So if the price is right I'm sure it could be a contender as a full time DAC and occasional disc spinner. |
ghdprentice I called this post "For SACD Fans Only" for a reason. SACD or CD playback (with the right system) will sound better than any streaming. And this from a review of the Esoteric K-03XD ($15,000) out of my price range, but not the forthcoming K-05XD:
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OP, Sorry, this is a free forum. So, renegades like me are free to offer their honest opinion, even if off topic or contrary to what the author likes.
A SACD player is a transport, streamer, and DAC in one box. Three functions. As I said… if you love the idea of discs… no problem. I have a turntable. But if sound quality is the only issue… and total cost of ownership… equipment plus content… I would look at contemporary technology. I do not offer this advise to be argumentative… but helpful. I have often been surprised the horizons opened when a paradigm bubble is popped. |
Thanks. I assure you I made no prognosis of SACD’s capability by using an Oppo. It was never attached to my system. I was very impressed with the capability of SACD twenty years ago with Esoteric and other brands. No question high end players sound fantastic. But today they are such a niche, and you are spending money on the internal Streamer and DAC that could be used for a more contemporary system. But, as I said. I own an analog end that cost more than a really nice contemporary new car… but for me there is a lot of nostalgia value. |
ghdprentice "contemporary technology"? what does that even mean? I'm talking about using the Esoteric K-05XD (msrp $7500 or 8000) vs. the PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport (msrp $6500) and the Holo Audio May DAC (msrp $5500) at a total cost of $12K. There is no way any streamer or "contemporary technology" would equal either of the above choices. I would argue that either choice above would better any turntable/cartridge under $50K. Just like the Esoteric K-03XD.
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Fred,
I am not trying to be argumentative.
It is difficult to seriously discuss what you have said. But, first, a well chosen $50K analog leg will definitely sound way better than your Esoteric K… whatever. Second, by contemporary technology I mean an independent streamer and DAC. Well, that is highly dependent on your choices… but the combo of a transport, streamer, and DAC in a box if for a brief time is a sweet spot,.. it will not last long… or be cost effective when you have to buy music on a physical media. |
I went from a OPPO 105 years ago, to one of the very last 205 produced, sold it for more than double the price, bought a Marantz 30n, loved it for awhile, but the disc part wasn't getting much use as I started to stream more. So I sold it and bought a Sony UBP-X1100ES that plays everything, sounds great and frees up lots of money for other streaming stuff. The funny thing is, since I got the Sony, I tried a few bluray audio disc, and I think they are a bigger improvement over CD than SACD. Too bad they never caught on.
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@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 |