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Help regarding SACD/CD players

Yes, I still spin the cd's, and I love them. I love shopping for them, organizing and reorganizing them (sometimes on the same day), admiring my organizational skills (and then lamenting my lack of them), and rediscovering that I own this-or-that-cd after almost buying it earlier that day. Consider it an irrational fetish, if you must; insist (to yourself) that I should grow up and join the streaming community; laugh at my growing collection of SACD's, declared all but dead years ago. But, if you have the kind of advice I'm after, please offer away.

I have a modest living room system, powered by a fabulous Luxman receiver from the late 1980's. I play my cd's through an NAD player (which I run through a Schiiit Audio Multibit DAC), and SACD's through a Yamaha BD/DVD/SACD/everything-else player.

Here's my question. Does it make better sense to:

1. Get a really good (within reason, and probably used) SACD/CD player to do all the work? Maybe something from Arcam or Marantz, or something in that general price range? Any suggestions on what I might look for?

2. Keep SACD-ing through the Yamaha, which sounds good, but replace the NAD with a transport (I like the Audiolab 6000CDT better than the Cambridge Audio), and then graduate to a better DAC? I have a whole lot of cd's, and relatively few SACD's, so the priority is with the former.  

3. Come up with some heretofore unthought of option? (Yes, I will likely secure a Bluesound Node 2i at some point, but I'm an inveterate incarnationalist and gotta have my discs, silver and vinyl. Cleaning, holding, admiring; they're like children! I love my babies.)

4. Just shut up and continue to play on what I have? My wife favors this option, though she has yet to learn that it is but one option. 

Thanks,
Tony


 
anton99
tweak1
3,563 posts
 
Tony,

I was using a Marantz HD CD 1 player as a transport + built in dac in my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 for red book, and my Oppo 105 for SACD/DVD-As. It’s common knowledge that the 105s Achilles Heel is the OEM power supply. Some hi-end players use the 105 guts in their big buck players

I came across aftermarket LPSs on Ebay, ranging from a reasonable price to crazy money. I bought the ~ $200 one and a replacement Furutech IEC with pure silver tail that plugs into either PS board and eliminates the 110/220 switch. Enormous SQ improvement

Eventually, I compared red book through both, and, well, no longerusing either the Marantz or the AA, as the 105 has a variable VC, so running direct to amp and sounds damned good when the red book does

hth
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
anton99: #4 Just shut up. "My wife favor's this option". I suggest #1 Get something you really like, and since your system is in the living room, place the sofa in the sweet spot. You'll be sleeping there! Enjoy 👍😊
bvdiman
491 posts
 
Hi Tony,
Seems you are already on the right track thus far ie.putting more weight on software/music rather than hardware/equipments.
In your case, I’d rather simplify to avoid all future headaches and just go for a good/reliable cd/sacd player.
*If buying used, make sure their ‘optical assy.’ is readily available as parts (Sony optics are the more common ones doing sacd)~Average life expectancy is usually 3-7yrs~depending. Then there are other mechanisms to watch out for as well. So getting a player that’s relatively new (1-2yo max.) is best.
Why not just get a Luxman player to match that receiver—and continue enjoying your music!🙌🏼 TBM, Bill Evans👍
anton99 OP
54 posts
 
B—

I'd lovelovelove a Luxman player. Luxman knows it, though, and is willing to hold out on their pricing and charge me a fortune, one I don't have.

I do worry about a used player, which is why I wonder if getting a really good DAC makes better sense? Use whatever player I have or get in the future as a transport, then.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,326 posts
 
@anton99,
I agree with jazzman7 that you should get a DAC with DSD capabilities. While the D.BOB is a option for extracting DSD files, I think the better way to do is to snag a cheap Sony player from the ebay and rip all your SACDs into DSD files. A month back I ripped all my 140+ SACDs to DSD files. Did not realize that I had collected so many SACDs - I was thinking I had less than 50 :-)
But then you can just use the existing CD player as a transport for the new DAC and have a Network streamer to store and play your DSD files through the DAC.
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