Help regarding SACD/CD players


Yes, I still spin the cd's, and I love them. I love shopping for them, organizing and reorganizing them (sometimes on the same day), admiring my organizational skills (and then lamenting my lack of them), and rediscovering that I own this-or-that-cd after almost buying it earlier that day. Consider it an irrational fetish, if you must; insist (to yourself) that I should grow up and join the streaming community; laugh at my growing collection of SACD's, declared all but dead years ago. But, if you have the kind of advice I'm after, please offer away.

I have a modest living room system, powered by a fabulous Luxman receiver from the late 1980's. I play my cd's through an NAD player (which I run through a Schiiit Audio Multibit DAC), and SACD's through a Yamaha BD/DVD/SACD/everything-else player.

Here's my question. Does it make better sense to:

1. Get a really good (within reason, and probably used) SACD/CD player to do all the work? Maybe something from Arcam or Marantz, or something in that general price range? Any suggestions on what I might look for?

2. Keep SACD-ing through the Yamaha, which sounds good, but replace the NAD with a transport (I like the Audiolab 6000CDT better than the Cambridge Audio), and then graduate to a better DAC? I have a whole lot of cd's, and relatively few SACD's, so the priority is with the former.  

3. Come up with some heretofore unthought of option? (Yes, I will likely secure a Bluesound Node 2i at some point, but I'm an inveterate incarnationalist and gotta have my discs, silver and vinyl. Cleaning, holding, admiring; they're like children! I love my babies.)

4. Just shut up and continue to play on what I have? My wife favors this option, though she has yet to learn that it is but one option. 

Thanks,
Tony


 
anton99

Showing 2 responses by elevick

Before I comment, what sounds better:  Playing 2 channel CD's through your NAD/Schiit combo OR playing the same CD's through your Yamaha OR playing those same CD's through the Yamaha/Schiit combo?

I love SACD but the technology has its limitations.  If you can use your SACD player as a player and CD transport you may make life simpler with better sound?
I agree with Jazzman.  Go for a DAC first.  You can use the Yamaha as both SACD and digital out to the DAC.  If you go hard core on SACDs then upgrade later.  A single player should make your wife happy with the "mess".
I have a 105 for SACD/DVD-A and use the digital outputs to my Chord Hugo.  The Chord is a huge improvement on CD's and 2 track from hybrid SACDs.  It'a actually really simple to use one player to two inputs on your pre-amp.  
You need to try the Yamaha to your Schiit already.  I'll bet the NAD starts collecting dust (not because it's bad, just because it's not necessary).