SACD player recommendations budget 3k.
Point of clarification regarding the d.BOB: a DSD DAC is required. Specifically, one that accepts DoP over Coax and/or Toslink. There a partial list at https://geerfab.com/audio/system-requirements |
jayctoy I suggest that you give a call to the folks at GeerFab. I just assumed that a DSD DAC was part of the solution set, and want to make sure I'm not leading you astray. Rereading their materials, the d.BOB "Outputs DSD64 via the DoP (DSD over PCM) protocol and hi-res PCM up to 24/192 through the S/PDIF Coax and Toslink Optical outputs to an external DAC". Given that the d.BOB is providing DSD over PCM, is a DSD DAC still required, or will a PCM only DAC do the trick. |
Hello jayctoy! Not knowing anything about your system, in your shoes, my solution set would involve 3 elements. (1) a DSD capable DAC (2) a SACD player with HDMI out (3) a GeerFab d.BOB (digital breakout box) which goes for $999 https://geerfab.com/audio With a $3000 total budget, after spending ~1K on the d.BOB, I’d put the lion’s share of the remaining ~2K on a good DSD DAC, (say $1500 to $1600 for a DAC - like say a Chord Qutest or whatever, and $400 to $500 for the actual SACD player, which in effect would be acting as a SACD HDMI transport) So in summary, my recommendation would be SACD player feeding d.BOB via HDMI, and then d.BOB feeding DSD DAC of choice via Coax or Toslink. |
jayctoy I just looked up the specs on the Marantz SA8005. Googled and found them at Crutchfield here: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-77NmFHhIsUf/p_642SA8005/Marantz-SA8005.html It doesn’t qualify as a SACD HDMI transport because it lacks an HDMI output. As far as utilizing it as a DAC, it again doesn’t qualify because from my reading of the specs, although the USB input looks to be DSD capable, the coax and toslink inputs appear to be limited to PCM only. So won’t do the trick working with the d.BOB. What I like about the d.BOB approach is that it opens up the possibility of pairing it with any DSD capable DAC you can think of, both now and in the future. I’ve only read about the d.BOB. I don’t own enough SACDs (5 at last count) to make it worth my while. I do own a Chord Qutest, and can testify that it is one hell of a DAC for the money. I also own a couple of Universal SACD capable players with HDMI outputs (A Denon 2910 DVD player and an Oppo 83SE Bluray player). Feel free to PM me if you wish to get hold of me, and I’ll be happy to offer my opinion or share my perspective. |
Also, the Absolute Sound just posted a review of the d.BOB. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/geerfab-audio-dbob-digital-breakout-box-and-high-res-audio-... |
The GeerFab d.BOB is a $1000 piece which takes HDMI input and outputs via Toslink or Coax to your DAC of choice. The HDMI to I2S converter box is a $60 solution, but requires that your DAC of choice has I2S input. With either solution, any SACD capable player with HDMI output can be used to spin the discs. |
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/at-long-last-listen-to-your-physical-sacds-through-an-outboar... Thought folks on this thread might find the article linked to above interesting related to using HDMI to I2S converter box to utilize suitably equipped outboard DACs to play SACDs spun by HDMI equipped player. |
