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Hi-res digital audio vs sacd

I've got a pretty good setup for vinyl and digital audio files, but I have an opportunity to get a "minty" 10-yr old audiophile-grade CD/SACD player for $350. I am intrigued by it but don't know if it would really give me any better quality for some recordings than what I already have. Also, I know that SACD didn't really catch on, but I see tons of audiophile-quality releases out there from MFSL, etc.

The player I'm looking at seems to be both an amazing, rock solid transport with a Cirrus Logic 32 bit DSD chip.

My digital setup is currently a Bluesound Vault II, pushing out FLAC files of various quality up to 24-bit 192KHz to a Cary DAC-100t tube DAC (which does not have DSD support, so I am guessing that I wouldn't be able to leverage it for the SACD player), using a Creative Cable Green Hornet coax in between the two.

Can anyone chime in with their opinion, both on what I should consider in terms of quality comparing the two as well as music collection availability on SACD vs hi-res files that are sold online through HDtracks and other vendors (like I know some mastering houses have their own releases on SACD but not sure if the same music/mastering is available on digital files).
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randy-11
1,913 posts
 
yes, well put

the problem is how to determine the well mastered, well recorded releases BEFORE you buy
erik_squires
15,824 posts
 
I'd save your money.

There are a number of great DAC's out in the last 5 years. Shiit and Mytek are among them.

Best,

E
dcbingaman
93 posts
 
SACD makes sense for one genre of music - classical.  The SACD catalog is deep and diverse in this genre.  Also, much of it is 5.1 multi-channel (MCH).  

Digital downloads and streaming (Tidal, etc.) are indeed on the upswing, but they still trail CD sales, and there are very few MCH digital downloads.  Digital streaming in stereo may someday include embedded 5.1 via DTS Neural, but that has not happened yet.  

Also digital downloads are still primarily a US phenomena - much of the rest of the world is still wedded to the silver discs which are cheap to make, not vulnerable to power or RAID failures, and not dependent on fast Internet connections.  Considering all of this, if I were a classical fan I would have two "antique" devices in my rig - a vinyl turntable, and an SACD player.  (Since I am, I do !)
tatyana69
269 posts
 
I have a Meridian 800dvd/cd player and run it to compare with a Bryston bdp2 streamer, streaming wav mainly, which is far superior to flac (imho!!).

The Meridian must be the best second hand value for money ever - superb quality at now almost negligible prices. There is some difference as the Meridian does seem to pick out quite different aspects, and I suppose is generally "warmer, softer" sound.

I suppose the whole thing can be classified as "mood dependent" so it is just nice to be old fashioned from time to time and stick a dvd audio or sacd or cd on and get a slightly different presentation. Probably better or worse is not a call to make at that level of quality - just different.

I also run a high quality analogue set up, but as usual the whole thing is governed by quality of recordings, which is a variable that is flaming irritating.
mahler123
3,064 posts
 
I agree with many points that others have made.  SACD is great for classical--I have over 100- and jazz.  If your tastes don't lean in that direction, it may not have a lot to offer for you.
one consideration is that the DSD stream from SACD, but it either requires a lot of work--if you use a Play Station- or special gear.  I use an Oppo 105 to output the DSD into a Bryston BDA-3
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