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How much SACD do I need?

I've acquired a good number of hybrid CD/SACD disks and would love to listen to the SACD layer. Here's my situation, I have a CD player with which I'm very happy, works well in my system, and will keep (Linn Majik). I would think that some amount of the cost of higher end SACD players goes into getting decent redbook CD playback. What do I need to get quality SACD playback (two-channel)? That is, I don't want to sink a lot of money into reproducing redbook CD playback (already got that). But don't want to spend so little that SACD's end up sounding inferior to my CD player. Would something like a Marantz 8003 or Sony 5400 work? i.e. would a Marantz 8003 player the SACD layer do better than the Majik playing the CD layer? Would appreciate any thoughts and guidance. Tks.

John
john_adams_sunnyvale

Showing 2 responses by mrthunder

mrthunder
7 posts
 
I have the sony 5400 player and it does a great job on SACD. It is also very good on CD with terrific base and mid range. It's better than any Marantz I've heard.
SACD sounds much better than CD.
Listned to a lot of players and until you move into very high $ like Esoteric P-03 D-03 SACD it is not substantially better.
The 5400 has nice solid build which is a good foundation for sound.
mrthunder
7 posts
 
There is still a substantial difference between SACD and CD on my XA5400. There is simply more information on a SACD than a CD. Multiply the CD information up to SACD doesn't add the missing data. Just look at the sampling rates for CD on higher frequencies.
If Wadia and others spend as much time improving SACD playback as they have on CD we would have "analog" quality and better.
The CD playback on the 5400 is great but not as good as a Wadia 581. SACD is better for much less $.
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