SACD transport - recommendations please

[Al ears]

But 100 volts, which is why many Japanese items look good value, but not for UK or EU buyers. What a shame more don’t have switchable voltages like the good old days.

Made for Japanese market where they know they sell. No need for voltage switching unfortunately.

 

[DistortedVision]

I own a few Japanese domestic model hi-fi. Most from the early 2000s. I use transformers from Airlink Transformers. I find JDM stuff from late 90s and 2000s to be high build quality and reliable as they were made in Japan.

 

[TRIPLE A]

And if you don't go the expensive PS Audio route, yet insist on having true DSD output from the player, you're stuck with relying on the DAC inside the player... so to overcome the noise etc. generated from that, you're gonna have to spend even more on a higher-end bit of equipment than you would in using it as a transport. Total non-starter - better off ripping or downloading the dsf files then running them through a decent, external reclocker etc.

 

[manicm]

And if you don't go the expensive PS Audio route, yet insist on having true DSD output from the player, you're stuck with relying on the DAC inside the player... so to overcome the noise etc. generated from that, you're gonna have to spend even more on a higher-end bit of equipment than you would in using it as a transport. Total non-starter - better off ripping or downloading the dsf files then running them through a decent, external reclocker etc.

Well I don't think having an internal DAC on a high end player is a bad thing or necessarily causes noise. Marantz have the Model CD30n, for example.

 

[TRIPLE A]

I'm sure the CD30n is an awesome piece of kit!

Ofc, it's the internals that create noise for the DAC and not so much the other way around as your message implies.
So as a basic principle, it's always for this reason that it's better to have your DAC as isolated as possible e.g. not in the same casing as something needing to perform a different function. But Sony and Philips couldn't have that when it comes to SACD could they?
Sony & Philips' insistence on SACD bitstreams being downscaled and converted to something defeating the purpose, is ultimately what holds the format back then. And you can get DSD sources of much better quality/multiples than the entry-level DSD64 that's on SACDs anyway.

 

[Jasonovich]

And you can get DSD sources of much better quality/multiples than the entry-level DSD64 that's on SACDs anyway.

Exactly, I'm downloading my DSD multiples of SACD and it's really really sweet.
Hi Res streaming is welcoming but for me, DSD is the pinnacle of music listening experience.

 

[manicm]

To all those considering SACD, ignore the clickbaitish title, this is an excellent video explaining SACD transport requirements in addition to a review of the new Shangling SACD/CD transport.

Enjoy.

View: https://youtu.be/s4Vyxd9s1gA?si=OFlzhHMZUXlOFfkh

 

[ToppingSMSL]

On the hand, if you have good Cyrus CDi player or some older, they sound terrific for their size and price. For sure such player will sound better than SACD from Denon 1700 or similar Marantz. I will bet my trousers. But machine like Magnetar UDP 900 will sound better. It is based on Oppo harritage and is very universal for audio and video playback. It costs around 3000,- Eur. Has full stack of inputs amd outputs. BR.

They're going to sound the same.

 

[manicm]

On the hand, if you have good Cyrus CDi player or some older, they sound terrific for their size and price. For sure such player will sound better than SACD from Denon 1700 or similar Marantz. I will bet my trousers. But machine like Magnetar UDP 900 will sound better. It is based on Oppo harritage and is very universal for audio and video playback. It costs around 3000,- Eur. Has full stack of inputs amd outputs. BR.

NONE of those universal players preserve the DSD stream when playing SACDs - they all convert to PCM. The Denon DCD 1700ne and Marantz SACD players both preserve DSD without conversion, so for you to say they would sound inferior, with SACD discs at least, is completely unfounded and unsubstantiated.

Your Oppo universal players and Magnetar etc all convert DSD to PCM with SACDs.

 

[abacus]

NONE of those universal players preserve the DSD stream when playing SACDs - they all convert to PCM. The Denon DCD 1700ne and Marantz SACD players both preserve DSD without conversion, so for you to say they would sound inferior, with SACD discs at least, is completely unfounded and unsubstantiated.

Your Oppo universal players and Magnetar etc all convert DSD to PCM with SACDs.

I had a Pioneer 450 Universal Player and also have a Sony 800 Universal player, and they output DSD not PCM when playing SACD (You have to switch it on though, as by default it is set to PCM) , therefore I would be extremely surprised if the Oppo and Magnetar didn't also output DSD on SACD.

Bill

 

[Revolutions]

To all those considering SACD, ignore the clickbaitish title, this is an excellent video explaining SACD transport requirements in addition to a review of the new Shangling SACD/CD transport.

Enjoy.

View: https://youtu.be/s4Vyxd9s1gA?si=OFlzhHMZUXlOFfkh

I actually watched this video most of all the way through - the first time I’ve probably done that with a YouTube hifi review.

It basically left me sad that my pre doesn’t have I2S input. Which in turn is perfect as I no longer have an urge to spend £2k on a cd player 😥

 

[Al ears]

I had a Pioneer 450 Universal Player and also have a Sony 800 Universal player, and they output DSD not PCM when playing SACD (You have to switch it on though, as by default it is set to PCM) , therefore I would be extremely surprised if the Oppo and Magnetar didn't also output DSD on SACD.

Bill

Pretty sure my Oppo 105 has switchable output for DSD or PCM.
However a mute point as I doubt anyone would notice the difference.

 

[Jasonovich]

I actually watched this video most of all the way through - the first time I’ve probably done that with a YouTube hifi review.

It basically left me sad that my pre doesn’t have I2S input. Which in turn is perfect as I no longer have an urge to spend £2k on a cd player 😥

There are a few Youtubers who are honest brokers (yes, they all have sponsorships, always a small caveat). I like listening to Jay. He's analyst is always thorough.

Darko is good but too much of the Roon stuff. When I listen to Steve Huff, I get the impression he was smoking some exotic stuff before making the video!

I like Aussie Lachlan also, exchanged some text with him, gave me some tips on tube amps, good bloke. 🙂

 

[manicm]

I had a Pioneer 450 Universal Player and also have a Sony 800 Universal player, and they output DSD not PCM when playing SACD (You have to switch it on though, as by default it is set to PCM) , therefore I would be extremely surprised if the Oppo and Magnetar didn't also output DSD on SACD.

Bill

They would output on HDMI, but no internal decoding.

I had a Pioneer 450 Universal Player and also have a Sony 800 Universal player, and they output DSD not PCM when playing SACD (You have to switch it on though, as by default it is set to PCM) , therefore I would be extremely surprised if the Oppo and Magnetar didn't also output DSD on SACD.

Bill

That's true, but AVR receivers handling DSD have been like hen's teeth. The early SACD players all had internal decoding for stereo where the DSD stream was preserved, and had individual RCA or HDMI outputs for multichannel SACD if so equipped.

Today SACD players with internal DSD decoding are very expensive. The said Denon is one of the cheapest ones actually.