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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
jwillox
196 posts
 

PS Audio fits 

call them and ask for a person well- versed on the topic. 

jcwilson
28 posts
 

I love my PS Audio. I2s connection to Holo audio May. SQ beats streaming and I have a pretty good streamer, Lumin U2. 

barry2013
20 posts
 

  I have a 3 box DCS Scarlatti - transport, Dac and Clock which I am very satisfied with

The TEAC disc drive is still one of the best available and can still be serviced by DCS. DSD is available on Dual AES.The way the disc tray slides in and out is so impressive.

 A different option perhaps but one of the best.

It is one of the most analogue sounding CD/SACD  transports and there is a reasonable availabilty on the ued mrket

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
415 posts
 

I have a very different perspective, not being based in North America!

First, when I play SACD I use more than 2 channels.  The European way of sending digital audio uses purpose designed HDMI technology which supports a huge array of formats and channels. HDMI includes Ethernet, almost as an afterthought!

On the other hand, I2S was designed in 1957 to allow two integrated circuits on a board to communicate 2-channel 16-bit PCM encoded audio. To communicate between boards, I2S developers have borrowed the HDMI connectors and cable, but not the rest of the technology.  Why anyone would throw away most of the channels recorded on a SACD is beyond me.

I have a couple of universal disk transports which play SACD along with 4k Blu-Ray, DVD and CDs.  These transports output via two HDMI cables, one exclusively for audio.  In this mode, they obviously rely on an external DAC.

One of my transports is an ultracheap Sony - about $250 - and it is only a transport.  My other unit is a Reavon for about 10 times the price.  Amazingly, it contains two Burr-Brown DACs but they are a complete waste for SACD.  SACD is down converted to CD quality - something I found immediately noticeable.  As a transport outputting HDMI, the Reavon is fine.

Some of the Dolby Atmos multi-channel recordings, delivered on Blu-Ray Audio-only disks, are absolutely stunning.  I am mainly referencing the Norwegian www.2L.no label. These disks play natively on each of my transports.

gimmer
27 posts
 

@hifipassion 

Ordered from Shenzhen.  It has not shipped yet and I ordered prior to the tariff BS.  To me there were not many options since the PS Audio Perfectwave is no longer available.

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