Have you ever seen the control panel of an Oppo, or one of their derivatives?
@mahler123 I'm sure it can decode DSD internally and output it through the analog outs but it can't output it natively.
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.
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There is a new CDT from Metronome called the DST that can resample 16/44.1 to DSD256 but not SACD. Srajan at 6moons has a preview of it on his site while he waits for the unit to arrive. It's a slot loader who's drive is made by StreamsUnlimited €4950. All the best, |
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... |
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. |
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 |
I recently picked up one of these and used it to send the audio HDMI out signal from my Oppo UDP-203 to my Rockna DAC's i2s input. The Rockna is showing that it's a DSD signal. Sound quality is fantastic. |
I ordered the Onix that @milpai referenced earlier this week primarily due to the I2S output and the fact that it is a top loader. I have a large SACD collection and liked the idea of being able to use an external DAC rather than whatever chipset is included in a player.
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Shingling has recently released Onix Zenith XST20 SACD transport for $2299. I believe, it does the following:
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