SACD...around $3500?

Just a suggestion - why not go for a used Marantz SA-7S1 or Cary 306 Professional? A great review here: http://www.10audio.com/marantz_sa-7s1_cary_306pro.htm
I wish I had the resources to get one of them.

I've listened to a lot of SACD players at various shows. Ended up with the Sony XA5400ES - until I can find one that really sounds better. I was not impressed with the Marantz offering. You need to go with the Esoteric 2 box P03/D03 to hear something really good. The Ayre C-5xe MP sounds very good and I might buy one. Unless I can get enough money for an EMM somehow. The EMM 2 box DAC2/TSD1 is really special.
Ayre has a new player based on the Oppo multi-drive. The C-5xe sounded better on SACD.
Have not heard the Oppo but suspect it's trying to do too much.
The XA5400SE is heavy and well built. Fantastic bargain for SACD if you are playing 2 channels. Red Book is also very good (but after playing SACD they all sound like junk).

I disagree w/ Mrthunder and like the Marantz S11 S2 and S11 S1 quite a bit. Smooth, resolving enough, and completely musical. Great warranty.

Thanks very much everyone!

I'm for sure going to have a look at the various Oppo possibilities, and the Sony units as well!

I'm not at all familiar with the Esoteric, Ayre units...more to noodle!

I liked the SA11S2, and I suspect a SA-7S1 or Cary 306 would be great..especially if I could find them used at a reasonable price.

The SA11S2 I borrowed had what appeared to be something wrong with the CD tray, as there was an annoying scraping sound when it was traveling in or out. It seemed to function fine otherwise, but I was surprised about this seeming defect as the unit is built like a tank otherwise.
(it was a new unit out-of-the-box)

-RayO

Look into a Cary 306. They can be had for under $3000. Sound every bit as good as the Professional version that sells for lots more.

Very good player!