SACD Player

[Dase]

Hello friends,

With the recent addition of new speakers, I have been pulled (like a tractor beam) back into my music collection . Mostly I have been converting my discs to .flac files and playing them via usb through my Denon 4310 because I don't have a "proper" cd player. It works great, but I have been thinking about finally addiing a SACD player to the mix.

I have been mainly looking at the OPPO BDP-80 for this duty. My AVR has the same scaler from the BDP-83 so I could save a couple hundred going this route and be pleased with the results.

I was just wondering if those who are more familiar with SACD had any recommendations on a player. Preferrably something that doesn't break the bank but delivers good results, or if the OPPO will suffice for the price let me know.

Sorry for the long winded post , but I would welcome suggestions. Thank you!

[Jwilly019]

One thing to look into is whether or not your reciever will decode the DSD stream. Being a higher-end model, I would assume it would, but it never hurts to check.

Justin

[Dase]

Yep, it does. I found a Yamaha player on Amazon for $79. It does not output multichannel from SACD or DVD-A through HDMI but it does through the analog connections. That's alot of extra cabling though, it would be nice to just go through HDMI. Do I dare ask if the analog outs are better than outputting through HDMI?

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Yep, it does. I found a Yamaha player on Amazon for $79. It does not output multichannel from SACD or DVD-A through HDMI but it does through the analog connections. That's alot of extra cabling though, it would be nice to just go through HDMI. Do I dare ask if the analog outs are better than outputting through HDMI?

That's opening quite the can of worms.

It depends on the DAC's in the player versus those in your receiver. I would imagine that the DAC's in your receiver are better than those in the Yamaha player though.

Justin

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Yep, it does. I found a Yamaha player on Amazon for $79. It does not output multichannel from SACD or DVD-A through HDMI but it does through the analog connections. That's alot of extra cabling though, it would be nice to just go through HDMI. Do I dare ask if the analog outs are better than outputting through HDMI?

Hey, I've been having the exact same debate this week, in fact eyeing the same Yamaha player, and here is what I've landed on. My situation is a little different, however. I have an excellent Yamaha SACD player, the DVD-S2500, which like the DVD-S1800 has really good analog outputs. It turns out none of Yamaha's players will bitstream DSD over HDMI, however, and that is what I'm really looking for in order to potentially hear some improvement over the SD-2500.

In order to maintain DSD for my receiver to decode, I think I'm buying the BDP-80 to act as a digital transport. Otherwise, I'll very likely end up with DSD-PCM conversion in the player, and that is what I would like to avoid. There aren't many SACD players that will bitstream DSD via HDMI. The BDP-80 provides a very cost effective solution, and it's a heck of a player when bitstreaming.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Hey, I've been having the exact same debate this week, in fact eyeing the same Yamaha player, and here is what I've landed on. My situation is a little different, however. I have an excellent Yamaha SACD player, the DVD-S2500, which like the DVD-S1800 has really good analog outputs. It turns out none of Yamaha's players will bitstream DSD over HDMI, however, and that is what I'm really looking for in order to potentially hear some improvement over the SD-2500.

In order to maintain DSD for my receiver to decode, I think I'm buying the BDP-80 to act as a digital transport. Otherwise, I'll very likely end up with DSD-PCM conversion in the player, and that is what I would like to avoid. There aren't many SACD players that will bitstream DSD via HDMI. The BDP-80 provides a very cost effective solution, and it's a heck of a player when bitstreaming.

This is exactly where I am at with the whole process, so it's great to hear the same thing from someone else . Thank you. It makes me feel that I am not far off base. Plus it will give my PS3 a little less work to do.

[JJ]

I was in that mood too, but before the BDP-83 and BDP-80 came out. I settled on the Pioneer Elite DV-48 (either that or the -49) - great SACD players with great DACs for around $100, if you can find them.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

I was in that mood too, but before the BDP-83 and BDP-80 came out. I settled on the Pioneer Elite DV-48 (either that or the -49) - great SACD players with great DACs for around $100, if you can find them.

Ahh yes! Thanks JJ! I had forgotten that you had picked up a player yourself . Have you been pleased with it?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Ahh yes! Thanks JJ! I had forgotten that you had picked up a player yourself . Have you been pleased with it?

Considering my SA-CD library is a whopping TWO titles...the Pink Floyd DSOTM and the Top Gun soundtrack - I'm content with it as I could be. I can compare them to regular CDs and say the sound difference is noticeable, albeit, incredible - but I can barely tell, if any, difference in regular CD sound from playing it on my PS3 versus the DV-48. But, since doby did say the 48 has greater codecs than it or the DV-49, then I'll have to assume there's a teensy negligible difference that could be brought out with better equipment.

In any case, I'm happy I went with SA-CD, and it is the best type of music I have heard to this point, and for only $100, I get a sleek Pioneer Elite unit in my rack and sonic bliss. Great backup DVD/DivX player to boot. So who am I to complain? I think I reviewed this player sometime ago, if I could just find where...

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

my SA-CD library is a whopping TWO titles...

Chop chop!! Get more before they all go out of print!

[dobyblue]

Loads of great titles on Best Buy or Amazon for between $8~$20.

Both John Mayer albums are $8, lots of Elton john for under $20.

[moviefan42]

dase -- I have an OPPO BDP-83 which I consider the best Blu-ray player on the market for any price and their tech support is outstanding!! The BDP-80 is their economy model...see below spec from OPPO website.

"SACD - The BDP-80 plays Super Audio CD (SACD) and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. The BDP-80 can output DSD (Direct Stream Digital) over HDMI in its native format or convert into PCM. (Analog audio output for SACD supports PCM mode only, and is not available when DSD over HDMI is in use.)"

However, you must have an A/V receiver that supports the DSD format for the best results from an SACD disc. I checked the specs for your Denon AVR 4310CI and it doesn't specifically mention that it supports DSD. You should check your manual or with Denon directly to verify this. If everything is in order, you must get Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" as your reference SACD. Absolutely incredible!!!!

Dave

[Dase]

Originally Posted by moviefan42

dase -- I have an OPPO BDP-83 which I consider the best Blu-ray player on the market for any price and their tech support is outstanding!! The BDP-80 is their economy model...see below spec from OPPO website.

"SACD - The BDP-80 plays Super Audio CD (SACD) and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. The BDP-80 can output DSD (Direct Stream Digital) over HDMI in its native format or convert into PCM. (Analog audio output for SACD supports PCM mode only, and is not available when DSD over HDMI is in use.)"

However, you must have an A/V receiver that supports the DSD format for the best results from an SACD disc. I checked the specs for your Denon AVR 4310CI and it doesn't specifically mention that it supports DSD. You should check your manual or with Denon directly to verify this. If everything is in order, you must get Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" as your reference SACD. Absolutely incredible!!!!

Dave

Cool. Thanks for the OPPO info. The 4310 does support DSD through Denon Link or HDMI so I should be fine . Thanks again.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Cool. Thanks for the OPPO info. The 4310 does support DSD through Denon Link or HDMI so I should be fine . Thanks again.

Yes it does - it will also allow you to implement direct DSD>Analog decoding using the PCM1791A DAC.

In DIRECT and PURE DIRECT mode you will get pure DSD>Analog conversion, which means no bass management. In all other modes DSD is converted and handled as PCM.

Advantage of DIRECT - pure signal with no PCM decimation
Disadvantage of DIRECT - no bass management

I go with DIRECT for my SACD listening, my ears tell me it sounds more natural, more analog. You can use level settings to even out the distance from your speakers and the crossover on your sub to cut out the higher frequencies some discs send. For example if your sub is wide open as most peoples would be for home theatre given that your receiver is doing all the crossovers, when you go to SACD you may find that frequencies in the 150Hz range coming through your sub sound pretty odd. I set mine to about 60~70Hz and nae bother.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I go with DIRECT for my SACD listening, my ears tell me it sounds more natural, more analog.

Yep, that's the way to go. If you convert DSD->PCM->analog it's not as lifelike.

Originally Posted by moviefan42

dase -- I have an OPPO BDP-83 which I consider the best Blu-ray player on the market for any price and their tech support is outstanding!!

Well, given that the SE model is better for two-channel and analog output, I would have to say that the non SE model has been bested. Beyond that I have owned a better SACD player than the Oppo, namely a modified SCD-1, although that only delivered two-channel.

If everything is in order, you must get Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" as your reference SACD. Absolutely incredible!!!!

I like Pink Floyd too, but there are SACDs featuring better recordings than DSotM for reference demo.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Loads of great titles on Best Buy or Amazon for between $8~$20.

Both John Mayer albums are $8, lots of Elton john for under $20.

At Amazon two of the best multichannel albums Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition and Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms are still available and inexpensive.

There are a few other online places who still carry SACDs. Ebay is where I usually get OOP albums. They're not cheap but there is no other way to get them.

[The Seventh Taylor]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Plus it will give my PS3 a little less work to do.

If that's one thing you're after and DSD output another then changing your PS3 Slim for a 60GB PS3 is not really a good option, though if you can find an affordable one as second set...

[Dase]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yep, that's the way to go. If you convert DSD->PCM->analog it's not as lifelike.

Well, given that the SE model is better for two-channel and analog output, I would have to say that the non SE model has been bested. Beyond that I have owned a better SACD player than the Oppo, namely a modified SCD-1, although that only delivered two-channel.

I like Pink Floyd too, but there are SACDs featuring better recordings than DSotM for reference demo.

Not that interested in Pink Floyd, but I hear it recommended frequently. I am more interested in classical as well as my own favorites that are available on the format. Thanks for the recommendation though.

Originally Posted by The Seventh Taylor

If that's one thing you're after and DSD output another then changing your PS3 Slim for a 60GB PS3 is not really a good option, though if you can find an affordable one as second set...

Another PS3 would be silly for me. I already had a fat and didn't care much for the jet engine it came with . I really think the OPPO would serve me best. And though the SE model is better, I can't see myself paying nearly a G for a player. Since my 4310 has the same scaler as the bdp-83, I think the bdp-80 would be a great and affordable compliment to my system.

Thanks for all of the input guys!

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Not that interested in Pink Floyd, but I hear it recommended frequently. I am more interested in classical as well as my own favorites that are available on the format. Thanks for the recommendation though.



Another PS3 would be silly for me. I already had a fat and didn't care much for the jet engine it came with . I really think the OPPO would serve me best. And though the SE model is better, I can't see myself paying nearly a G for a player. Since my 4310 has the same scaler as the bdp-83, I think the bdp-80 would be a great and affordable compliment to my system.

Thanks for all of the input guys!

dase, you and I are definitely in the same boat right now. I have my Yamaha DVD-S2500 set up as the SACD player in my two-channel system, and I'm looking to relieve my PS3 as SACD player in my home theater room.

Anyway, there are a ton of fantastic classical and jazz SACDs to choose from. Out of the 60+ SACDs I own, classical and jazz make up probably just over half of my collection, with rock/pop making up the rest.

DSOTM and Brothers in Arms are great multi-channel SACDs, but there are better examples of multi-channel recordings out there on the format.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

dase, you and I are definitely in the same boat right now. I have my Yamaha DVD-S2500 set up as the SACD player in my two-channel system, and I'm looking to relieve my PS3 as SACD player in my home theater room.

Anyway, there are a ton of fantastic classical and jazz SACDs to choose from. Out of the 60+ SACDs I own, classical and jazz make up probably just over half of my collection, with rock/pop making up the rest.

DSOTM and Brothers in Arms are great multi-channel SACDs, but there are better examples of multi-channel recordings out there on the format.

My first SACD purchase will be the Herbert Von Karajan Beethoven set . Classical is definitely my primary interest as far as SACD is concerned . I have just been getting my feet wet with Jazz the last year but I am sure there is much to be heard that I will also have a passion for. That's awesome that we have similar tastes, when I get going I will be asking you for references for sure! Thank you .