philips sacd 1000 as a redbook player

Okay, everyone. I just bought a SACD1000 and I was expecting it would have the ability to replace my current Digital SetUp, a Philips 921 (Transport & a MSB Link II (DAC). Ihave burned it in for 100 hrs. My result with SIDE-BY-SIDE comparing with a Philips 921 (as a transport) and a MSB LINK II (DAC), is, the MSB totally blew the new SACD1000 away! MSB apparently produce higher resolution and more accurate Hi-Freq than SACD1000. Midrange would be warmer for the SACD1000, but the soundstage yet is more shallow and narrow than my MSB Link II; too forward, forget about the word "deep". Low-end bass would be a little bit slow and over-weight; yet doesn't even go that low, extremely low-freq disappeared! Speed wise, the MSB is a lot faster and punchier than the SACD1000. The fact that it doesn't feeds PCM digital out for audio CD made me stuck from parting it with a quality out-board DAC. As a $400.00 Stand-Alone CD Player, it would be a Class B. I don't know why the hack it was rated Class B in Stereophile, as I said, maybe the total general rating would be Class B because it's cheap price and compatibilities, but it's too far behind from MSB Link II DAC which is rated Class B also. Video-wise it uses only 10bit video chip and it doesn't have Progressive Output. SIDE-BY-SIDE comparing with my Philips DVDQ50, result in lack of functions and picture resolution. The DVDQ50 apparently produce a more natural, better contrast, and higher resoltion picture. Well, you have to think about that the DVDQ50 is a Stand-Alone DVD Player ONLY. All the money you paid went to DVD, of cause it produce such a state-of-art video picture. Unlike the SACD1000, for $100 extra it went to alot of other places like SACD/DVD/CDR/CDRW compatibilty, a bigger power supply, a bigger chassis and multi-channel and a lot more component inside the unit...
I don't think any of you has done a SID-BY-SIDE comparing, what I have here will tell you how good/bad the SACD1000s sound-------Good and warm midrange with limited hi & extreme-low frequence. Sounds not as accurate and fast as it should be, at least the same class MSB Link II has done it... Fair picture quality with lack of progreesive scan and PCM digital output will make you feel like hell from upgrading. Function-wise it would be a DVD player with very little functions. However, as a $400.00 player, you get DVD playing, and Multi-Channel for free. So, no matter what, it's worth the price somehow.
As a excellent redbook player, I would suggest you look elsewhere. If you have a tight space or you only have a limited amount of money to spend, this would be the player for you! Single chassis, plays SACD/DVD/CDR/CDRW and produce "okay" sound from it. My personal conclusion with the SACD1000 would be:

An "Okay" DVD player with SACD Multi-Channel as an extra.

I was going to replace it with my Philips 921 (Transport) and MSB Link II (DAC), but I think I have to keep them now. I am starting to look for a Marantz SA-14, SA-8260 or maybe I will go for Sony SCD-1. I am keeping it for my secondary system. I couldn't upgrade, because of it's lack of PCM digital output for audio CDs and it's lack of progressive video out. Maybe I will sell it? To me, it's a Class C for Audio & Video and a Class B for it's value.

Many of you know that the Philips is coming out with a new SACD/DVD player called the DVD963SA. I have seen both the inside of the two units. The SACD1000 features the Marantz HRAM Module, but the DVD963SA doesn't. Both the power supply and the electronic component inside both the unit are far different. The DVD963SA looks like a cheap player (it's weight half the SACD1000), the good things are:

It has progreeive 12bit/108Mhz
It feed PCM out for audio CD (As I was told)
It's video circuit can be shut off while playing audio disc, to lower interferences and dissortion
It has a newer firmware, of cause
It upsamples to 24/192

If you people are waiting for a DVD963SA instead of buying the SACD1000, then I think it's wrong. Video and function wise the DVD963SA would definitely be better, but audio-wise I don't know if the DVD963SA will perform better with such a tiny power supply and lack of Marantz HRAM Module. Email me if you peoiple are interested in further discussion with me about these units and if you have any questions. Good luck AV hunting!

i agree qith Rgd because i realized the same sonic problem... it's terrible that many many says how good it gets dah dah dah .... i ran it it for 500 hrs and yes, it got a lot beeter, but it sounds NO WHERE near any 1K+ player. The soundstage is SUPER FORWARD, still... bass is lose, and from low to upper mid-range, it's blurry and has no focus at all... Hi, it opened up but still not yet airy. I will keep it for SACD and DVD, since SACD is still like a clawing baby I will NOT invest further most on any better SACD unit.

oh... also ... a lot of the others are suggesting mods... mod this and mod that, NOT EVERYONE like to get their unit mod. Also, it voids the warranty and lower resale value. Spending $500 on this unit, and another $800 to mod it? You gotta be kidding me! I might as well get a Sony 777 or a Marantz SA-14!

All you people saying the PHILIPS SACD1000 is a good RedBook CD Player should go perform a "Ear Check-Up", as I suggest personally. Maybe some ear-tube cleaning needs to be done. For $399.99 and all that format compatibilities, it's a keeper; for the sound, it's a sucker! For spending $500 & another $800.00 to mod it, and when it breaks down and you all couldnt repair ir because you void your warranty, it will definitely be a lesson!

Philips SACD1000 MSRP is $1599.00 and it's SUPPOSED to be treated like a $1000 class player. Dont let the price drop lower your expectation. Let me ask you, if this unit is never on sale and is $1599.99 would you buy it? and would you still think it's worth it and use it for redbook reference?

So, pardon me and dont get me wrong. For $399 tweeter price, it's still a SUPER DEAL. I am keeping one myself...

Finally, someone brave and fair has came out and stood up for me. Thank you so much "Socrates"!!

As I say in one of the other threads regarding with the SACD1000 (I was also attacked there!), it's a good deal for $400 (I said that many times here and there...) and for it's 1K class with it's $1599 MSRP, there are many many other strong competitors... People can not treat this unit like a $400.00 player because of it's price drop! It's MSRP is $1599.99! There is a thousand dollars difference there.... It's performance can only match up with player which is $1000 and under, I am sure many of you has read about the hi-freq roll off & it's bass performance here or in another threads, by the others. I was quite upset that this unit was hype up due to a crazy price-drop and when I purchased this unit, it was not as what other saids... and I, finally understand that WHY NOBODY EVER HAVE STATED OUT ANY SONIC PROBLEMS WITH SACD1000, is it because they will be personally attacked by the supporters of this unit? or they are afraid because they saw so many supporters of this unit here... they just don't bother wasting their time, because they believe their ears, not what other says...

People who disagree with my opinions actually attacked me with words. I was just telling the result of my review, maybe someone will also find the same problem I have with this unit and actually reply. If you were going to purchase this unit, maybe you will benifit from it also? If you agree my review, you praise; if you don't you, you write about it. That's all... Threads are for audiophiles to discuss, not for people to argue. Someone even answer one thread which I participated, with laugh and jokes trying to make fun of me, my comments and (even less-related) my typos... This is horrible! If you guys have anything to say rather than about stereos, please don't post them here...

The topic of this thread is "philips sacd 1000 as a redbook player?" and all I've been saying is that I don't think it's a great choice (as many many other have said here and in another threads). I felt the same with "Socrates" that why someone who gave bad comments with an equippment has to literally get attacked by it's supporters... There are people who like it, there are people who doesn't like it. Instead of taking my thread as a reference or an advice, all SACD1000 supporters just turn around and laugh at me, attack me... Is this just because this is a online thread, then there will be no bottom line for things?

If there is not ever anyone who complaint or give bad comments to a certain unit, all you guys will see, are just going to be the positive side of an equippment ONLY. I am sure while others are trying to get some advices or opinions on any item here in AudioGon Threads Forums, because he/she is thinking about purchasing that certain item; WILL want to know about the bad sides of it as well as the good sides...

I understand that S_an is a very good reviewer and he has his supporters. That doesn't mean that if S_an likes it, then everybody will like it; and he can go critisize my equippment set-up has sucks, I set it up wrong or suggest that I can stop bad-mouthing it...

I will stop posting reviews or any comment here in AudioGon Tread Forums because I am totally fed up with the situation I faced. It's also very upsetting at the fact that the few who has gave bad comments about the SACD1000 had literally get attacked by it's supporter.

Wish you all Hapy New Year.