Is it worth buying an SACD player?


I looked around and it seems there is enough SACD content to justify the investigation. I have a DVD player at the moment that plays SACD and bought a used Miles Davis SACD to check it out, it sounds great but, I can't really test the difference between a "regular CD" and the SACD. The other issue is that the DVD player doesn't access the "higher end sampling" through the analog connections, My 2-channel preamp has no digital input (Rogue Audio Perseus) so maybe without the digital input my question is moot. Any ideas/thoughts?
keith944t

Showing 3 responses by keith944t

OK, maybe it sounds like I know what I'm talking about in my original query, I don't!
But FYI, I'm using a tube pre-amp Rogue Perseus in to the tube Rogue Monoblock 150's driving Magneplanar 1.6 QR's.
I reread the manual and this is what it says, and I don't know if makes a difference. And I may have misinterpretted the value of such, since I don't really know what "LPCM rate" means--

Credit Camridge Audio DVD99 player user manual
"48K-supported by most equipment
96K-Allows a higher sampling rate and frequency response. It can result in higher audio quality. Ensure that the receiver/amplifier can support it.
192K--Allows the highest sampling rate and frequency response. It can result in the best audio quality. Ensure that the receiver/amplifier can support it."

That said, I could not adjust the LPCM to anything other than 48K after setting it to read the SACD's as stereo. I assumed, possibly in error, that I may not be getting any better sound than a regular CD?

Just FYI, this DVD player does have digital (Toslink) and coax audio outputs. HDMI and composite video too. The manual says it supports full 7.1 surround too and multi-channel audio. The complete manual is available online at the Cambridge Audio web page if anyone is interested.

I bought this because it also has a USB interface I (and the dealer) thought could be used to access my external HDD with my catalog of uncompressed music on. (like my PS3 can, yes I bought the 40 gig stupid Yes!)) But it can't, go figure. But it does play SACD/DVD Audio and the CD player is way better than the average Best Buy/Circuit City stuff. So, I'm considering keeping it, if it can really play SACD level sound through my 2-channel system, which ain't too shabby. If not, I can take it back and look for something that can play SACD, you guys confirmed my suspicion that it would be worth while.
Kal, thanks so much!
If I get your drift correctly; those LPCM settings have nothing to do with the SACD quality, and it (SACD) should work fine through my analogs, GREAT!
However the SACD I bought, Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" says right on the CD, "For Use with SACD Players only".
It doesn't seem to be a hybrid, it's marked as a 1997 print, if that means anything.
Again thanks!
I just might keep this thing!
I'll go buy another SACD, a hybrid this time and play with the settings (play SACD or as CD) to see what differences I hear.
I decided to keep the DVD99 because of the SACD. I did get the Music server /CD player operating again. It does have a better redbook CD player than the DVD99 though. Plus being able to hit random play of 3500 tracks is a great way to watch football!
I ordered up four SACD's from Amazon, a couple hybrids and the pure SACD 30th anniv edition of Dark Side of the Moon. Now I'm looking into replacing my old Denon 1800AVR with something with new HDMI technology! I gotta hear that in 5.1!
There seems to be more DVD Audios on Amazon than SACD's though. Now I have to check out those too!
Why didn't this stuff catch on? It's prety awesome!
I'm thinking Sony STRDG720 7.1 Audio Video Receiver at around $250.
There is a similar priced/speced Onkyo, but only has 2 HDMI's in.
Question though, Do most current (or at least the 2 I'm considering) AV receivers still have pre-out for the front 2 speakers so I can send them to my 2 channel system? I couldn't tell from the ads/specs listed.