Upgraded my CD/SACD player

[Gremal]

Continuing my quest to go broke and upgrade the weakest link(s) in my system, I decided to finally get a better CD/SACD player. I'm now using the PS3 for all things multichannel, but so much of my collection (I'd say 95%) is two channel or monaural, that it is way overdue to maximize performance of my two-channel CD player. To make a long story short, I upgraded from the Sony SCD-1 to the Classe Omega SACD-2, which is due to arrive on Saturday.



http://www.classeaudio.com/omega/detail-sacd-2.htm

Now for the long story. I love Sony's flagship SACD player, the SCD-1 and have enjoyed it for many years. But I knew the affair had to either end or grow more serious at some point. Both the SCD-1 and SCD-777 are known to develop sled motor problems in the transport that eventually make it impossible to read discs. Many owners use this as an excuse to get clock upgrades and improve other parts when they have their units fixed. I was thinking of taking that route when the time came even though it can cost big bucks for the full upgrades.

But the other problem is shelf space. Due to limited area on the top of my shelf now occupied by my amp, I needed a front-loading machine. I was able to get discs in the top-loading SCD-1, but it was not convenient and with time I found myself playing music less often. I think the convenience of a front-loader with the added audio improvement of upsampled CDs (the SCD-1 did not upsample and the SACD-2 does) will have me spinning music more frequently. I am a little nervous because I've never actually heard the SACD-2 in person, and this is the first time I'm buying a component without fully doing my homework. But from what I've read, it is exactly what I'm looking for--more on the forward and analytical side.

I don't suppose anyone here has heard it?

[Big Daddy]

I have listened to Classe products in High-End shows sponsored by Stereophile magazine and they are all first class. These are some reviews that you may have seen.

Review:
http://www.stereotimes.com/cdp012505.shtml

This reviewer prefers Linn player:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/a...ephisto_2.html

Club Classe:
http://www.htguide.com/forum/archive...4/t-28492.html

Older Version:
http://www.stereophile.com/digitalso...474/index.html
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/classe_cp500.htm

[Gremal]

Thanks. I saw those comments/reviews. Also found this Chinese (?) website that seems to discuss it at length. I don't suppose anyone here can translate?

http://bbs.newhivi.com/viewthread.php?tid=14638

[Big Daddy]

This is the translation of the second post by Dictionary.Com's Translator. I believe the translation is still in Chinese.

Are certainly very many human to think strangely, why outside does a SACD phonograph player need to carry on braises? Has not been sends the magazine company to carry on the commentary to be good? Must explain in here, what actually outside this equipment braises sets up originally is whole set Class? The Omega combination, before containing the SACD phonograph player, the level with the latter level, but before I go to now rhyme sound, after this set, levels unexpectedly give the warm sound to confuse for buy! Moreover this set of machines are the take plane aerial transport come, entire Taiwan only then this set, therefore does not have the means that has to arrange the SACD phonograph player's audition first, when travels by boat, the level arrived, around then carries on the level audition. In principle, this publication carries on the complete audition as far as possible regarding the light casting equipment, but non-outside braises, also only then like this, can try equipment's strength truly.

Still used the Sony transmission structure to be good, lets us have a look at Omega SACD 2. Very many people should have a vivid memory to first generation of Omega SACD, because that is one of earliest European and American SACD phonograph player, moreover is takes Sony the top the SCD-1 transformation, the sound certainly is good. Then, what functions after changing the funds to become the SACD 2, many? Has turned the multi-sound tracks? Not; Has been possible to look at DVD? Also does not have. Moreover, the power source separates originally the design, this returns alters to the integration the design. Then, why can change the funds? I want to be because Sony SCD-1 already suspended production, Classe all-resourceful is again impossible to buy the new machine to change, has to change the funds resolutely. However SCD-555ES also already suspended production? I guessed that Classe bought the critical mass machine to come back, therefore did not fear that sold is out of stock. Fortunately, their this price does not rise instead falls, while has not changed the funds repetition to leave rises in prices the program.

Does not certainly have means by the Classe scale to produce the SACD cassette mechanism, this returns is takes Sony the SACD phonograph player to change. Moreover they do not conceal in the original factory data tell everybody: This is takes Sony SCD-555ES to change. Alters to SCD-555ES from SCD-1, strict has fallen two levels, no wonder this price must fall. However, the traditional wisdom tells us, the cassette mechanism is not decides the sound the only factor. Is the same with Omega SACD, the Class  熅 蒤 紎 ony SCD-555ES control wiring also entirely transplanted, has certainly also included the DSD decoding chip.

Then, has Classe only traded Sony SCD-555ES an attractive sincere outer covering, 2 has taken SACD sells? Certainly is not, SCD-555ES just is the SACD 2 foundations, looks like everybody to take the same food material ingredients, comes out the flavor can actually ingenious different. Class  u was demonstrating that the strength the place lies in their digital-to-analog conversion line, that is the line board which completely builds, moreover, this aspect's line may say that transplants Omega SACD completely.

[Gremal]

heehee

That actually turned out much better than when I tried to use the babelfish translator.

[Clark Kent]

I would be interested in knowing if the new player bests the Sony for SACD playback. I always enjoy getting to know a new piece of equipment with familiar music.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I would be interested in knowing if the new player bests the Sony for SACD playback. I always enjoy getting to know a new piece of equipment with familiar music.

After living with the SACD2 for a while, I feel like a have a handle on the differences. It is better than the SCD-1. Tones have more flesh to them and percussive sounds aren't as etched. While this gets away from the SCD-1's clinical/analytical presentation and speed, which I really loved about it, the bottom line is that the SACD2 sounds more realistic/lifelike. The SACD2 is also a touch more forgiving of bad recordings. The "reviewer" in me doesn't like that because it is instructive to hear all the shortcomings of any recording, but it's impossible to be upset that music is simply more enjoyable with the Classe.

Not only is the SACD performance better, but CDs are significantly improved. I'm not sure if this is attributable to the upsampling capability of the SACD2, but I have never enjoyed spinning CDs as much. Since I have more CDs than vinyl, SACD, DVD and Blu-ray, that improvement alone justifies buying the SACD2 for me.

[dobyblue]

Simply based on Classe's reputation I have no doubt it will best the Sony.

[btf1980]

I've always wondered why Classe never brought SACD playback to the Delta series.

[garak]

Originally Posted by btf1980

I've always wondered why Classe never brought SACD playback to the Delta series.

I've also hoped they would add SACD support to their Delta series sources. However, at this point, it doesn't look like they ever will.

[Gremal]

I think the reason is cost. For both the SACD1 and SACD2, Classe made totally discreet signal paths for PCM (CD) and DSD (SACD). Apparently they couldn't do this without doubling the cost of the machine. At least I hope it's double what they would have otherwise charged. The SACD1 list price was $12,000 and the SACD2 list price was $8000. (I didn't pay anything close to that for mine.) Both products are discontinued--I assume because Classe couldn't sell them. If they build SACD compatibility into the delta series, the costs would probably hurt sales of those components as well.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Simply based on Classe's reputation I have no doubt it will best the Sony.

Some listeners believe that certain modded Sony SACD players have never been beaten in sound quality for pure SACD.

Thanks Gremal for the mini-review.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Some listeners believe that certain modded Sony SACD players have never been beaten in sound quality for pure SACD.

True. It is worth pointing out that some of those mods cost thousands of dollars and I considered that for the SCD-1. I really do need a front loader, though (factored pretty heavily into my decision). But I don't doubt that a fully mod'ed SCD-1 could beat the Classe.

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Simply based on Classe's reputation I have no doubt it will best the Sony.

The Sony is still world class ...Classe stuff is nice not my first choice but I dont listen to SACD , If I would it would only be 2channel.. It seems so Ive heard that some of the multi channel recordings sound a little fake.....I like Esoteric My .02

[Gremal]

While the Sony SCD-1 and some of the ES products are very high quality, Sony still doesn't voice their components with different caps and resistors like the very best high end companies do. Classe probably does more of that type of tweaking. Certainly the chassis of the SACD2 is designed and machined in a way that no Sony component has been or ever will be--but it is more about the signal path and board topology.

I'm not the biggest Classe admirer, but I know some HT fanatics swear by their amplifiers. I fully believe that my disc machine could be mod'ed with a different clock and/or other parts to optimize its performance. But this is a nutty hobby and the line must be drawn somewhere.

[robertc88]

Originally Posted by Gremal

While the Sony SCD-1 and some of the ES products are very high quality, Sony still doesn't voice their components with different caps and resistors like the very best high end companies do. Classe probably does more of that type of tweaking. Certainly the chassis of the SACD2 is designed and machined in a way that no Sony component has been or ever will be--but it is more about the signal path and board topology.

I'm not the biggest Classe admirer, but I know some HT fanatics swear by their amplifiers. I fully believe that my disc machine could be mod'ed with a different clock and/or other parts to optimize its performance. But this is a nutty hobby and the line must be drawn somewhere.

Good luck with your new player and enjoy!

I have drawn my line with SACD and will go no further than the $2k multichannel player I bought years ago.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Good luck with your new player and enjoy!

I have drawn my line with SACD and will go no further than the $2k multichannel player I bought years ago.

Thanks--if this machine didn't offer an improvement in the sound of 90% of my existing collection (more CD than SACD) and make it much more user friendly on my shelving being a front-loader, I wouldn't have made the investment. I may get the Oppo when it finally comes out to replace the PS3 for all things multichannel. Depends how often I play games.

[Opips2]

I believe, most SACD CD-player use stereo red and white for 2 channel.
I have older system PS3, cost me $700. long time ago~!


I want straight-up to upgrade a SACD only CD-player. NOT THIS Dvd-players with SACD logo!

[Gremal]

I am glad I pulled the trigger on my SACD-2. Still very happy with it. They've been out of production for a while and are getting hard to find, but I just saw another one appear on audiogon. The seller is asking thousand$ more than I spent on mine, and it's not even in as good shape.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....D-2-SACD/CD-Pl

[bhampton]

PS3 is my CD/SACD player, I love having one component that does it all.

That said.... I only have 1 SACD.

=Brian