PS Paul does say there will be a new SACD transport soon. Well the last one sold for 7K, so this Shanling/Onix is a bargain. I suppose should wait for the first reviews to flow in though. I understand it is shipping around mid month. By the end of May perhaps there will be several reviews...
SACD Player/Transport Choices
I am planning to acquire a McIntosh MCT500 to go with my C53 (proprietary MCT connection). But I am wondering if there are other good SACD transport choices that will send a true DSD stream to an external DAC on a non-proprietary basis, either through USB or I2S. I’m trying to research this, but it’s difficult to find definitive answers regarding the actual digital stream from SACD - often I discover that the stream is converted to PCM. I do know PSAudio has a scheme similar to McIntosh.
I realize simply purchasing DSD and streaming from an SSD is probably more practical these days. But I am sort of fixated on a physical disc player. Budget-wise, most interested in transports around or below that of the MCT500 (~$5K). Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
Showing 4 responses by armyslowrdr
THe Onix can also be ordered direct from the US distributor: Forte Distribution for USD 2399. plus your state sales tax... and free shipping. However, even though Onix is partnered with Shangling, the Forte first time Shanglin buyer 10% discount will not work for this product. I need to wait more until summer before I can pop for this. I hope the price isnt jacked to 4K or more by then... |
@hifipassion I too received the ONIX transport several days ago, buying from Forte at the 10% off. Do not have extensive time with it yet. But you mentioned it is quiet. At spin up, and lasting for a few seconds, do you not hear a mechanical noise (not just whirring)? Mine does, but it only lasts several seconds. I am running it into a Venus II-12th and found the optimal I2S pinout code to be mode 3 on the ONIX and mode 7 on the Denafrips (although modes 3 and 5 were, by the manuals, the matching ones--I got right channel background popping or static using those). The "manual" by the way is on the French website "Audiophonics". I like that this is a top loader and looks attractive. I am not sure the sound is LEAPS above a higher end TEAC SACD player I have in a different system, or even the Yamaha in this system.
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@hifipassion definitely agree on it being a great value. It is heartening to know the mechanical noise at start up is normal. Yeah, even what they term as the owner's manual in the shipped product is just nothing more than the printed quick start guide. |
