Try the Bladelius Freja. Plays CD, SACD and DVDA. Wisely the DVD playback was left out. You don't need a monitor to set up DVDA playback. Designed correctly - has two BB DACs for CD playback and another separate two BB DACs for native DSD recording. Fully balanced by the lead engineer for the famed Threshold company when Nelson Pass headed the company. George the US distributor for Bladelius is offering the unit for $2500 (MSRP $3000) since he has not established a dealer network yet. Review to come out on positive feedback online.
Help me choose new digital player
I am in the process of upgrading my entire music system and would appreciate recommendations for my digital play back unit. I presently have a stock Sony SCD 777ES.
It is a fine player but I know there have been major improvements since I first purchased this unit.
I am presently considering a couple of options. I could keep the 777ES and have it modded. If so, I would then want to know which mod program would produce the most significant improvement.
Secondly, I am considering the purchase of a new unit. Digitally, I only listen to two channel red book and SACD but have been reading very favorable reviews on the new AYRE C5xe universal model. I would not likely use the DVD video function but would possibly expand my software collection to include DVD-A softfware.
I'm not inherently against upgrading to separate DAC and Transport units but would probably prefer to stay with a single unit.
The majority of my listening is with vinyl on my SME 20 TT, SME V arm and Shelter 90X.
The rest of my gear consists of Parasound JC-1 mono amps (SS), VAC Standard Pre with phono stage (tube), Proac 2.5 speakers which I will be upgrading shortly with new speakers on order. Acoustic Zen ICs and SCs. My system is in a dedicated listen room with Echo Buster room treatment items.
Thanks,