how good is sacd1000 on red book


I bought a Philips sacd1000 but am having second thoughts. I only care about red book discs. Anyone had the chance to a/b this player against something like the Bel Canto DAC-2?
84audio
84... my intial impression to my philips sacd1000 on redbook is that it sounded somewhat dark, or compressed, lacking life. that was in comparison to a wadia 860x (MUCH more expensive!)...

the philips has improved with continued playback. it's pretty good i guess, but definitely was disappointing to me as well on redbook.

i think i've been totally spoiled with the Wadia...
I have listened extensively to the Marantz SA-14 and I understand they are very similar. Frankly, it was an impulse buy. I thought I might have it modified or maybe I will just sell it, it is unopened.
If you take the time to break it in, the SACD1000 sound
very good on red book CDs.

I found no lack of detail out of the box, but the high end
sounded closed in/compressed.

Unless you've got a Wadia or a $32K FA Ref/AN DAC-4 Sig combo, it's a great piece of gear for $350.

I plan to pop the hood and work on the power supplies,
analog output stage and applied damping materials that
have worked well on other digital gear.
My unit is 3 days old. Out of the box it bettered the Alchemist Nexus I had been using for Redbook CD. I have used it for SACD in two channel mode, and is better that the cheaper Sony 775, but not as good as a friends SCD777ES. System Mac C100 Mac 352 and Dunlavy SCIVA.