Upgrade CD transport/player vs. Sacd transport/player

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.

A good solution if you have alot of sacd is marantz sacd 10 player.they come up used for 4 k all the time.  I do have the mcintosh  spinner mcd 12000 but that's 12 k .  Has the new ess pro dac chips and tube or solid state option .happy hunting. I think marantz has thier built in hers or the like for streaming.read the reviews sterophile ect.

SACD is worth it by every measure (in the sense of what you hear as well as technical "measure").  I have several CDs of Living Stereos and later bought the SACDs when issued.  Very significant improvement in SQ; at the time the SACD outperformed the LP, though I have since upgraded the analog chain.

Macintosh has a unit, MCT5000, but no USB output, there is also a unit, the PMG Signature at about 9k.  And probably many others (up to the Grandioso at $50k+!)

You do need to research compatibility of the the transport's DSD output with your DAC, there are Sony licensing issues.

I too enjoy spinning the physical media, I am gradually ripping the CDs but have no mechanism for ripping the SACDs and the SACDs sound better through my Esoteric XDSE than any available stream.