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What high-end multichannel SACD players are there?

Hello,

My SACD collection is growing! It looks like SACD is here to stay, as more and more discs are popping up on the MusicDirects of the world.

Anyway, I have an ONKYO SP1000 universal player. It plays SACDs. It is multi-channel. It sounds pretty decent, but I'm sure there are much better players out there.

I'm trying to find out what my options are to replace it with a better sounding SACD player. Looks like there are a bunch of players out there from the likes of Esoteric, DCS, McIntosh, Ayre, Krell, etc... BUT they ALL seem to be only 2-channel!

Isn't one of the main points of SACD to be MULTI channel? All the dics have multichannel tracks, and I would hate to give up the option to play them by moving to a better sounding player.

Basically what I'm wondering is this - What are the options for a true high-end SACD player that also has mutichannel capabilities?
goatwuss

Showing 3 responses by theo

theo's avatar
theo
2,658 posts
 
Depends on your budget. I had a Denon 5910ci for a few years but in the interest of consolidating a BluRay and MultiChannel in to one I sold the 5910 and have just bought the Denon 100 Anniversary Edition DBP-A100 and am very happy with it's performance out of the 6 channel analog out. It was on special at 1/2 off as they are no longer made. I listened to the Oppo 95 at the same dealer and the Denon was warmer and less analytical in my opinion.
But I was used to the Denon sound from owning the 5910. Other options you my look at, again depending on budget and if video is a consideration. All available used: Esoteric DV50 or Dv60; Mcintosh MVP861, MVP871 or MVP881; Denon A number to choose from;Marantz UD8004 or UD9004 as mentioned above. I am sure there are more that I am not thinking of. But again what is your budget?
theo's avatar
theo
2,658 posts
 
Goatwuss, I am using my Denon analog 6 ch out to the 6 ch input on my D2v and it is passing thru without using room correction. I have HDMI setup for BR and have tried it both ways and analog is much better. I ask if spending 3K and buying the Oppo will you have the Modwright mod done? I couldn't afford that but I would have considered it to be a way to go. If you do let us know how that works out;
theo's avatar
theo
2,658 posts
 
Goatwuss, yes I am running 6 channel analog direct into the D2v and using the 6CH out to listen. I have had no issues with sound quality. I get more dynamic soundfield doing it that way than by running HDMI. I find that the digital route sounds very constrained. I had a McIntosh MX135 prior to the D2v and I always used the 6 channel analog on it as well, of course it didn't have HDMI. You can always make adjustments within either your player or the D2v to sound issues if you have any.
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