Looking for SACD player

I went thru a search, my conclusion is it’s like a salad, a mix of processor(s), anti-jitter; over-clocking; proprietary filtering ..... You have to hear the result yourself, best of luck with selecting which one to try, perhaps buy where they allow returns.

I am so happy with my Sony xa5400es SACD/CD Player.

I had been solidly vinyl since overhauling my setup starting in 2019, then I asked for SACD advice here, and found a lightly used one. Lasers get weak with hours of use, not age, and finding the SACD layer is typically the first thing to go.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sony-sacd-player-scd-xa5400es-yay-or-nay?highlight=sony%2Bxa5400%2Byay%2Bor%2Bnay

I re-discovered my many CDs and SACDs, and actually have been buying used CDs, it sounds terrific.

New laser assemblies are still available

https://www.ebay.com/itm/360731502452?_skw=sony+xa5400&itmmeta=01KNEW9TCBAHVAR8ZT3XFFG7GP&hash=item53fd45e774:g:r-gAAOxyHIlTXMCu&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xBTg2iF1g3VDV03Q6BAwdcMfMsrrTU6vSeMHnwJrRmHLzdTZJs7YgOxUczj33%2BFSMTe%2Fbo1Wl7W3egXb72VETvCrfeajYyCvG77oCUvoo%2BJycctP2OhkGSDQL6lp%2FF40v04RClDi7LcHAGx8oSV8xli%2FqjIHeAzVwmpiXs2k3%2B3JoBbwVMmHQx76VJANsCJkjKJ2OK8Za3whoO64C4h9B1ZK319H8THjdhtrv2d49GK66XWb5eHhrkgUnC3U16zuKg%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6imp9yrZw

Also, whatever you do, pay attention to DSD/PCM Conversion, if you care

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sacd-players-models-with-dsd-processor-used-and-new-not-dsd-conver?highlight=sacd%2Bdsd%2Bpcm

I chose the Luxman D-03 about 1yr ago Walt.

It's a very fine sounding cd player, I had looked at all the other smaller less high end brands and had to try out the Luxman. The look and feel of the chassis and display are something to behold. Way nicer than I expected! Sound is extremely pleasant and I owned a Ayre unit for decades 

Don’t buy used cd or sacd players because of lasers can burn easily.I own both Ruby and SA10 marantz .Excellent players. Esoteric SACd players are very good as well. 

I briefly owned the Marantz SA-10 and it wasn’t my cup of tea at all. can’t recommend it. I’d go with esoteric or luxman. 
 

I have always loved Esoteric players- they are pricey however, my budget I cannot buy new Esoteric but I’d sure take an open box or dealer demoed Luxman buy yea sale price $11k, I am like you I’d rather spin a CD or SACD they just sound better to my ears