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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.

mattsca

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dclone
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I use my Esoteric X-05 as transport to my external dac except when playing sacd. When playing sacd the Esoteric uses its own dac. Esoteric has both single end and balanced outputs so its easy to switch source. Used a Krell KPS 30i as transport before Esoteric but the advantages of beeing able to play sacds without another "box" in the main setup won. The Krell serves as transport in my second setup now and does it very well (recapped and serviced 1 and 1/2 year ago).

Conclusion: I can recommend both Esoteric and Krell as transports. Neither of them will play sacds when used "only" as transports.

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