Suggest SACD Player No Video, New or Used, $1kish?

Thank you all for the responses, have some searching and researching to do.

THanks again.

Hey Melmoth...appreciate the additional comments. I was really heading towards Marantz myself. Their stuff looks beautiful in and out and I read some great reviews on several of the pieces. W/respect to R&D there's certainly a well regarded Japanese designer (can't recall his name) associated with Marantz. On the TEAC side, the Esoteric connection is not to be overlooked although the Distinction series really does NOT share components with Esoteric pieces. Esoteric engineers reportedly consulted on the design of the TEAC series, however. The good news for me is I can't do A/Bs of TEAC vs Marantz so ignorance is bliss and I remain satisfied with the TEAC! It has worked out well in my system. Take care.

Look for a Sony 595, its a changer, great chips, great sound, great value, maybe about $100

Hi, the CD-3000 was the one unit I did not have a change to work with, it's dac specification is far above the CD-2000 and is most likely a fine unit. I personally just found that the large R&D, manufacturing expertise and operational refinement of the Marantz series to be hard to neat. Glad to hear that your CD-3000 is providing you good sonics.

I'm a very satisfied owner of a TEAC CD3000. Great frequency extension (at both ends) + air, imaging and sound stage. The USB to DAC input is very good too. It will take some time to "burn in" (use an XLO burn in CD). I also found it to benefit from an upgraded power cord (went w/Shunyata Venom 3S) and balanced out (Cabledyne). Good luck in your search. I was also considering various Marantz units. Would have gone with one of those except a TEAC demo unit w/in-home audition opportunity became available from Stephen Monte at Quest for Sound. Went with the TEAC and have been very happy. See the review on Audiophilia.

Sony XA5400ES

I agree the Marantz SA8005 would be a great choice as a player and a DAC !

Personally I would find the teac distinction units hard to recommend, having owned all in the amp line up along with both the CD 1000 and CD 2000 they pale in refinement alongside better known units. This particular line up of products has the feel of being designed and built by a third party in China with a quick look over and some branding by Teac. I would recommend a SA-15S2 from Marantz which can be found for a bit north of 1200 used or if you can stretch a little further have a look around for a SA-14S1 which is my current unit, absolutely beautiful looking and built unit with superb usb dac built in with optical, co-ax and front usb port makes it a veritable digital hub.

I've always liked the Pioneer Elite PD D9 J. It has been replaced with the Pioneer Sacd/cd Player Pd-d9 Mk2 but good luck in finding it used for $1K. You may have to do some waiting or put a WTB listing on the Audiogon marketplace.

Yes the Marantz SA8005 would be a great choice as a player and a DAC. Only the top tier Teac CD-3000 has outboard DAC capabilities.

Bill

If you could go 1,200.00 you could get the new Marantz SA8005 SACD player. You could also use it as a dac later on down the road if you feel like getting into computer based audio.

Marantz would probably be a good option.

I have not personally used them but Teac has a trio of nice players in their Distinction Series at different price points.
Heard good things about all three.

http://teac.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/36269/Teac-Distinction-Series-Players--.html

Bill

Try to find a used Marantz SA-8001. You won't be disappointed.

A Marantz SA8005 with a new list price of $1,119 would fit that bill. You could even find one used for less.