Is there a Blu-Ray player that does SACD and has Audiophile quality sound?

In short: what is your primary intended  use? Audio or multi-channel bluray et al?


In detail: One size does not fit all.

The OPPO and the CAMBRIDGE share many of the same build components. (Google the commentary)  i had the CAMBRIDGE and my buddy still has the OPPO.... I sold the CAMBRIDGE and moved up to the ARCAM FMJ. The ARCAM bested the CAMBRIDGE but the rest of the comments flowing still stand.

We both use the CAMBRIDGE/ ARCAM/ OPPO for multi-channel movies and the like. In  either case we also have high-end standalone cdps for serious 2-channe audio performance.

As good as the multichannel players can be in their specified element , they do not measure up to our audiophile grade 2-channel spinners... The differences are not subtle, full stop. Not even close.

Budgets matter BIG-TIME of course, but there is no escaping the not-subtle compromises that a multi-channel unit a la CAMBRIDGE or OPPO invoke in a bake-off against audiophile-grade high-end 2-channel gear. The multi-channel kit just don't have the same components and build quality and resulting superior audio performance in 2- channel.

Those inescapable compromises may dictate which way you lean .... Multi-channel vs 2-channel as your primary arena to play in.

QUOTE
"dbphd
822 posts
03-03-2016 1:36pm

aka_ca,

Recall the title of this thread. Which of the high-end spinners is a Blu-ray player? I use an Ayre C-5xeMP for stereo, but it can't play Blu-ray discs; I use an Oppo 105D for that...."

I agree totally with you ..... No quarrel here that any the suggested 2-channel high-end units  is a Blu-Ray multi-channel player .

I also totally agree that the OPPO, CAMBRIDGE and ARCAM sit in the top-tier strata of the usual HT multi-channel players. 

Thus like reasons,  that is why we can have discreet stand-alone units .... One for HT/multi-channel and another separate unit for critical 2-channel to max out audio performance in their RESPECTIVE arenas. 

The second  part of the OP original post is asking whether any these multi-channel Bluray units actually offer "audiophile grade sound".
IMO that depends on how one defines "audiophile grade sound" .

The OPPO/CAMBRIDGE/ARCAM FMJ brand offerings are arguably best of breed common choices in the usual HT audio and video reproduction arena that are filled with many contenders and pretenders ..

 I just don't see any of them as "audiophile grade" audio performers. For me, that comparative yardstick rests with the best-available audio performance available arena .... IMO ... 2-channel. A multi-channel Bluray spinner ( just pick any of 'em) audio performance capabilities --whether in multi-channel or two-channel mode-- simply fails to match the audio performance capabilities available in quality build two-channel audio gear. 

Ergo, the best solution option for many of us in lockstep is the introduction of two different discrete kits  for the different arenas .., a best of breed in multichannel that is entirely separate from best of breed in 2 -channel.