Upgrade CD transport/player vs. Sacd transport/player

@kjl1065 

Yes, the SACD (DSD) layer is superior to the CD layer.  If you buy a SACD/CD transport so you can use an external DAC, then, the transport and DAC must match to avoid SACD sony copywrite issues.  Otherwise, you need to buy an SACD/CD player with a built in DAC.  Most SACD/CD players only output the redbook CD digital data through their digital connection, so, you cannot get to the DSD layer. 

I have a McIntosh SACD/CD transport that feeds DSD through a special DIN connection to my McIntosh DAC.  I also invested the time to rip all my CDs to wav files and rip all my SACDs to dsf files.  I have loaded all these digital files into a 1 TB microSD card and play them through my streamer which feeds into my DAC through USB.  This has basically rendered my SACD/CD transport idle.  If you rip your SACD files (dsf files), then, you can feed them into any DAC you want.  There is no copywrite issue to deal with. 

So, for me, the priority should be to rip all CDs and SACDs into lossless files and feed them to your DAC.  You can also use the files in your car, phone, etc...  , and give them to your family & friends to enjoy. 

Note:  I will not sell my SACD/CD transport, because I still want the ability to play my media, but, the convenience of selecting your CD/SACD files from your phone to play instantly is outstanding.  For me, with good equipment, the sound difference is indistiguishable.  Note:  My system is posted in my signature. 

Note2:  To rip your SACDs to DSD dsf files, you will need an old Sony Blu-Ray player like a BDP-S5100 that you can buy on ebay for under $50 or so.  Then, you need a few commands that you put on USB stick, and the player will download the SACD DSD layer to the USB stick as dsf files.  From there, you can feed the dsf files through USB or I2S) to any DAC that plays DSD.  Piece of cake. 

@larsman +1

When done correctly streaming IMO comes up short in overall sound reproduction.  Not to way that it is bad, in direct comparison it falls behind.  The sound can be very good to excellent but there is a big cost to getting that.  Convenience is fantastic though.  Recently heard the Grimm.  Very nice sounding but $20K.

Happy Listening.

The Shanling Onix Zenith XST20 SACD transport DOES in fact decode DSD to any DAC via all of its outputs-- except the USB output.  They say it right on their own marketing materials:

SACD with True DSD Output

Designed to unlock the full potential of SACD discs, Zenith XST20 offers a unique option to play any SACD in its true DSD quality to any external DAC with DSD capabilities. Utilizing either I2S connection for full native DSD64 or DSD64 DoP over the Coaxial / Optical / AES / BNC. (Note: USB Output does not support SACD Playback)

My next purchase is likely to be the Zenith XST20 with a DAC that I haven't decided on yet.  Either the Denafrips Pontus 15th, or the new Garlubidor Divinity (a sister Denafrips company).  The Divinity has a screen and 2 I2S inputs (the Pontus only has 1 I2S input and no screen).

@ghdprentice 

And if you have no internet connection, you have exactly zero media to listen to.

Though your advocacy of online streaming is well noted, I can’t see why any audiophile would want to limit his or herself to simply accepting what the worthies at Qobuz decide should be available. It’s A solution, not the be all and end all.

Not sure I’d be willing to pay the freight just to get DSD/SACD off the media. He does have a point about that. But that’s me. Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

I agree with ghdprentice that I also wish to have the physical media as well as streaming.

A question of fred60 about the Shanling SACD transport: Shanling in its marketing materials says they can do DSD, as long as the DAC can decode. I thought the transport does the decoding, not the DAC as it pertains to DSD.