I have one of the players you're considering, OP -- the Denon DCD-1600NE, bought last year. I also have an older Sony model, the SACD-CE595, still in use in my office system. While I'm happy to have the Sony, which I believe is similar to yours, the Denon (after a long-break-in, with a good power cord and interconnects), easily bests the Sony in sound quality. And the Sony, after many years, no longer recognizes SACD, and defaults to CD on SACD discs.
Question about upgrading my SACD player
I am currently in the process of upgrading my system. I am upgrading a component at a time as funds become available. Being budget minded i would like to keep each component under 2000USD. One component I'm thinking about upgrading is my Sony C555ES SACD player that I've had since around the time it first came out. The way I see it I have three options. One option I'm considering is having it modded. However, I'm not sure if it's even possible to have this unit modded anymore. I did a Google search and it seems most of the articles are old from the days when SACD was in its prime. It seems that most of the companies that have done the mods are no longer around or the ones that still exist no longer offer mods for my current player. Also, there seems to be a mixed consensus on modifications. Some say they've heard a night and day difference after having their player modded, while others say it's just another example of snake oil in our hobby. Another option is to purchase a new player altogether. Like I mentioned earlier, I would like to keep it under $2000 and it seems like I only have about three choices: The Denon DCD-1600NE, Arcam CDS50, and the Yamaha CD-S1000. What I'm looking for is primarily playback of SACD and Redbook CD. I'm not interested in players with built-in streamers like the Arcam has though it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker if it makes up for it in sound quality. Also, even though SACD is capable of 5.1 channels, I only listen in 2 channel mode. My third choice would be to do nothing a leave my current Sony player as is. Now, many may be wondering what is it about my current player that I find lacking? There is nothing I find wrong with it per se, this is just one of those "the grass is greener on the other side" the of situations.
So, my question is what do members of this forum feel would be the best option? Have the player modded. If so can anyone recommend a company that still modifies my particular player, Replace it with one of the three players mentioned previously provided it will provide a notable improvement in sound quality, or just keep my current player as is?
My current system besides the Sony SACD player,
Preamp: Emotiva USP-1 which I plan on upgrading in the near future
Power amp: Emotiva UPA-2 which I also plan on upgrading
Speakers: Monitor Audio Silver 100s (gen6) that I had just recently purchased so I intend on keeping these for quite awhile.
My musical tastes, Classical, Jazz, Classical, Classic Rock, Female Vocals.
TIA for your responses.