Best Value/Performance In An SACD Player For $2k, Or Less, Used?


As the title says I have been debating what the best options in players are for strictly playing SACD's. 

I had been considering a used Sony 5400, but those are now over ten years old, and Sony players of that, and a bit earlier period, are notorious for lasers failing. 

Any expertise, insight, recommendations or suggestions appreciated. Thanks. 

nightfall

I have been listening to my Sony SCD-1 with Vacuum State Level 5+ mods this week (I am short a DAC for the next few weeks). This unit is incredible with SACD's.

However, my unit's display is mostly dead now. I comes back occasionally. I think I am close to the end of life for this amazing player. 

I would look at a new SACD model as opposed to something like what I have.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. And, daddy0, your comments were particularly insightful, as I have though about picking up an XA5400 ES for a number of years. Per your recommendation, I was able to grab one in mint condition, having only been used to play a maximum of 20 cds/sacd't, total in it's time with the old owner. Even better, I picked it up for $920.00 plus shipping. 

Very eager to receive it, and fire it up in my system. I'm not even sure the unit qualifies as having been broken in yet! 

It would appear I spoke too soon. The seller just refunded me my payment due to the unit having been stolen from his car. This is extremely disheartening. Trying to find one of these lightly used is beyond extremely difficult. And if they have been regularly used, given how old these units are, they simply aren't worth this kind of money. 

And honestly, I've found no other real alternative in my price range compared to the 5400. :(

That's a bummer for both you and the seller.  Take a look at the Marantz SACD spinners.  There are 3 or 4 listed here under your budget.  I have the KI-Pearl and like it a lot.

For a more modern unit, I can highly recommend the Yamaha CD-S2100, which will often pop up on the used market for less than $2K. The transport is very sturdy and stable, and the built-in DAC is very musical. It can even allow for other digital sources to be connected to its internal DAC.

Marantz makes good units as well, per big_greg’s suggestion.