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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
dorkwad
539 posts
 
Hey Tony,

Keep your eyes open for a used Modwright CD/SACD player. Ones form Sony or Oppo would be very good. The MW modifications are known for their excellence in sound. I’ve had 3 of them--Sony 9000, Sony 9100 both were Signature Truths, and currently have a Sony 5400 Signature Truth. I bought the 9000 for $650, got the 9100 from Dan Wright at MW for $1200 less the 9000 as trade--so about $600 with trade. Every now and then there is a Modwright modded player on the used sites.

Soundwise, they are stunning compared to your NADs--I had a NAD 502, 520, and a 542 prior to the MW’s. I liked the NADs too, but the MW’s are very close to world class in sound and Dan stands behind his stuff as good or better than any other manufacturer.

Bob


anton99 OP
54 posts
 
D—

Something like this? https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1bi9-oppo-with-modwright-and-nuforce-mods-bdp-83-se-cd-sacd-players
dorkwad
539 posts
 
That could be a good unit.  It was done quite a few years ago when MW was getting going.  The Oppo 83 hasn't been in production for over 10 years I think.  Opposite is out of business at this point and each newer Oppo has been a better sounding unit than the one before.  The Opposite 105 and 205 would have been the newest units made and I don't think Dan did the 205 mod.  The 95 would have been before the 105.  I mention this because the older the unit, the bigger the risk.  Opposite units are now going for much more money because you can't get a new one anymore.  The Sony 9000 MW blew me away in sound quality after what I had before.  Mine developed an occasional problem with the drawer not opening.  Dan did this mod back about 2005-07 or so.  The MW units are rare finds anymore on the audio sites.  All the MW units sound significantly better than the stock units.   The Oppo units all play many different types of discs compared to the others--could be a big plus.   

The MW mods were done to Marantz 8005 and Denon 3900 also.  The Denon would be about the same vintage as the Oppo 83.  

The big plus here is Dan Wright and his mods.  You could call MW and ask Dan when this was made or other questions you might have.  He will tell you about the quality of sound that unit has.  If it is in good working condition, it's worth a try.  Good luck.

Bob
dorkwad
539 posts
 
Sorry about that last email.  Oppo became opposite everytime from spellcheck and I didn't catch it in time and it's too late to change it now.  

Bob
anton99 OP
54 posts
 
D—

No worries. Thanks for the information.

Question: You note the risk involved in buying older units. I've been warned against buying a used player of any kind that's over 2-3 years old, no matter the quality when built. Difficulty in replacing parts, too many moving parts to last a long time, that kind of thing.

Your thoughts? There's a Bel Canto SACD/CD player available at a great price, but it's over 10 years old. Likewise, I come across a lot of Oppo pieces when searching. Are all these choices that big a crapshoot? Should I focus on new players, or maybe just get a really good DAC and run my current players through it? I'm tempted to grab a used player, but don't know the wisdom in doing that. Thanks again.
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