Disappointed in SACD player


Well, there I was yesterday. At the chain store who Sony has designated as their retail point of attack for SACD in the Philadelphia, PA region. Tweeter, formerly known as Bryn Mawr Stereo and Video. Formerly, Bryn Mawr Stereo(but we all know what happened there). Since my recent misfortunes with CD players, I was considering a jump to a Sony SACD player. One thing about Sony, their stuff is reliable. I found one player, the 5 disc changer. It was hooked up in a HT setup. Not even prominently. There was also another CD player in this system, along with a DVD-V player. As no salesman came into the room, I didn't pursue. I found no other player in the store. Finally, when we were looking at tv's, someone asked us if we needed help. I asked about SACD, and was told two players were on display. I asked to see the one that I didn't see. I was taken to a wall of DVD players, and sure enough, the ES9000 was there. Not hooked up, sitting there like all of the other DVD players. And in fact, THAT IS HOW THIS STORE IS MARKETING IT. As a DVD player! The guy gave me the big spiel on it, from a DVD perspective. 12 bit scan, instead of 10, etc., etc., etc. All of which is meaningless to me. I am not a HT or DVD guy. I spend my time on two channel audio. The guy left me less interested in the player than when I came in. They could not even find any SACD material in the entire store. Not even a sampler. I came in wanting to be impressed, wanting to leave with the desire to buy an SACD player. Needless to say, I probably won't be buying very soon. Wasn't this supposed to be Sony's summer of all out SACD offensive? Players starting at $350(which still will probably come), creating interest with the general public and lifting the new format to something beyond the niche of the lunatic fringe. As it is now, it is not even as recognizable as DAT, and miles behind MD(which was very prominent in the store). Both of which are monumental flops in the words of Sony.
trelja
Trelja,I agree with your point.If this format is going to survive it has to be marketed at the low fi crowd.Once there are machines at 299.00 available the amount of software will grow.The audiophile will now be able to get his Hi End Equall form Sim Audio,Krell,Waida or from who ever and will benift from the vast amount of software that is available.
I hope both DVD-A and SACD people would get toghther and license people to build multi foramt players,cd,dvd-aScd mp3.Once this happens people can stop doing the beta-vhs jiggle.To many got burrned with Beta-machines, now Sony thinks people ares stupid enought to make the same mistake again.Make it idiot proof.
Audiophile's would be in for a big win.
Leafs- I've been to the stores, too. I'm afraid you're over optimistic. Another acronym for SACD is going to be, at least for audiophiles, BOHICA!
Tweeter's sales people have always been totally clueless, so do not let their stupidity stop you.
Thanks to all for the lucid responses. You are all correct about everything you all said regarding Tweeter and the superiority of SACD. I guess the point I am stuck on is the fact that this format is NOT trickling down to mass or even mid fi. Unless they do a better job with this, and soon, the survivability of the format will be in jeopardy. It is in real danger of becoming the next good idea from Sony which dies an early death. There is not an endless supply of money(in terms of hardware, software, marketing, etc.) that companies other than Sony and Philips will put towards SACD.