Sony is still making the guts of the SCD-1 available to Classe. Classe's advertising on their $12,000 player emphasizes that it is built on the SCD-1 transport. That takes hundreds of hours to break in, but when it does, wow--it is the best transport I've ever heard (I haven't A-B'd it against the CECs). I use it for CD as a transport feeding the dCS Purcell and Elgar, and it is so good that I got rid of my Levinson 37 after a brief comparison. For straight CD playback, it sounds quite respectable, but no match for the Purcell/Elgar. On SACD it still sounds terrific, and I'm not going to spend more until the software situation improves. Bottom line--since the SCD-1 is such an extraordinary transport, your money definitely is not wasted.
Latest Score on SACD for Redbook Playback??
I have had a deposit on an Sony SCD-1 which I hope represents good value at < $3000. I like the fact that it seems to be an overbuilt, flagship product and performs well with redbook CDs. Also, the 2 channel configuration appeals to my snobby, retro, dinosaur audiophile side. However, I was a little confused scanning the new Stereophile which suggests that will be discontinued and I am wondering how the multichannel SACD players perform on redbook CDs. Should I still buy the SCD-1? Do I need an external DAC for redbook happiness? If so, could someone please tell me what DAC could be used with the Sony as a transport for the best redbook performance? Is upsampling important in your opinion? Thank you very much.