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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.

ftran999

Showing 1 response by mahler123

mahler123
3,501 posts
 

I listen to Classical most of the time and have about 200 SACDs and some Blu Ray Audio and DVD Audios.  In my 2 channel system I have a Oppo 105 outputting the DSD layer of the SACDs into a Bryston3 DAC over HDMI.  
  Sony continues to make Blu Ray Players that play SACD.  Crutchfeld has two of them , at $200 and $400.  How do they compare to your current Sony?  One suspects that at that price point the DACs may be less than top notch.  However, given the vintage of your player, and the rate at which digital advances, it is possible that these players sound better than your current player.  DAC chips that were yesterday’s belle of the ball now go for a fraction of their old price.

  My advice- buy the more expensive Sony.  Do a shootout in your own system.  If you think the $400 beats your current player, great.  If not, return it.  You can use the savings, if you wish, to buy a DAC in the $1500 range.  There are some really good DACs in that range and your Red Book CD will benefit.   You may have to stretch more for a DAC that will have HDMI inputs but the Sony does out put DSD.

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