SACD player question

I saw a Sony 5-disc, multi-disc player for under $130. It plays DVDs, CDs, SACDs. I only have a 2-channel stereo set-up. I don't plan on getting surround speakers anytime soon. Would I benefit in any way by having the SACD? If I were to purchase 2-channel or multi-channel discs would my stereo-receiver even recognize the high-rez? I've read that even regular redbook CDs sounded better through this SACD player. How would that be? I also saw a Sony CD/SACD only player for $150. Would this be any better?

Thanks

 

A chip inside the player is what decodes the SACD information, so you would be fine in running it through your current amplification. Whether you will benefit or not, well I find that it depends on the disc. I have some SACD's that are jaw-dropping amazing, and I have some that are really no better than some redbook CD's that I have. I do find that the redbook play of my Sony SCD-555ES does not sound very good to my ears. At one point I was running the Sony through a Bel Canto DAC2 for redbook, and then sold the DAC and bought a Meridian 507. So now the Sony is only used for hi-rez. Being that my SACD collection is not very big (about 40 discs), the Sony doesn't get much play.

 

Thanks. Do you listen in stereo or surround? I'm just wondering if I'm the last person with 2-channel. I hear that Roxy Music's Avalon sounds fantastic. There's an extra track that is only on the multi-channel layer. I should be able to access this in 2-channel if it plays SACD?

I could upgrade later on, but I'm happy with stereo.

 

Stereo all the way here! I personally didn't like Avalon on SACD. My W. German Target pressing is far superior for mastering quality in my opinion. If I remember right you can hear the bonus track even in stereo only.

 

Don't worry DavidE, there are still a few keeping the flame alive. 2 speakers, 2 amps, 2 channels - here.

As a contrasting point of view on Avalon, it sounds lovely at my place.

 

I go MCh and Stereo. Glad I did or I'd think the Elton John SACDs weren't that fun! Some SACDs in surround are fantastic...

 

can you please post the model number? Thanks.

 

I saw CC selling the Sony for $129. It COULD have been the 685 or the 595. Actually I think they were doing both.

Chris

 

I saw it at Circuit City. It was model DVP-NC875V/B 5-Disc DVD/CD/SACD Changer (Black)

I see a silver one on Amazon for $124.99:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...34430-9269560?v=glance&s=electronics&n=172282


Black used & new from: $134.99:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...34430-9269560?v=glance&s=electronics&n=172282

I was also considering this Sony SCD-CE595 5-Disc CD/Super Audio CD Player. Only 4 left for $149.99: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...34430-9269560?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

Again, I only have 2-channel stereo, so I don't know if I should bother? I would like the best resolution I can get for all my CDs.

 

Two channel. I have heard/read mixed reviews on multi-channel SACD. It does not interest me enough to buy an additional 3 interconnects, and I much prefer my Meridian for regular CD listening. I only occasionally listen to SACD.

 

2 channels is all I need!!!

 

I like the way the Avalon SACD sounds (2-channel guy here) but I like the last HDCD remaster a little better. The redbook layer on the SACD really sucks.
The bonus track on Avalon is only accessible in Multichannel.

 

David, Chris...Thanks for the info.

 

SACD is fantastic in stereo. And it can be even more fun in MC when your ready to do that.

 

I'd recommend the Pioneer 578a instead of the Sony. Great budget player for DVD-Audio and SACD. Not too good on redbook thought. I'm not keen on those multi play changers in terms of sound quality and possible mechanical issues (discs getting stuck/damaged).

I'm a 2 channel man too! Until they make some new releases specifically for multi channel, I'll steer (pun intended) clear of the producer's games.

 

I have not heard Pioneer's more recent universal players like the 578a, so my comments are based on Pioneer's dv47a. Unless someone can comment on how Pioneer has improved the quality of SACD playback from their earlier (much more expensive) machines to their latest budget offerings, then I assume that the 578a is no better (and perhaps worse) at playing SACD's than the 47a.

I also haven't heard Sony's dvd/sacd combo unit. My comments are based on the Sony SACD/cd only player, the SCD-CE595.

The sound from the 595 on SACD is so much better than the 47a that it isn't funny. I've had the thing for about a month now and am still rediscovering discs. I played Carole King's "Tapestry" two days ago and was blown away at how this disc sounds on the Sony -- much different than the Pioneer -- very analog-like with a luscious soundstage. (The original recording surely has its warts, but it also has its charms.)

I agree that if someone wants the ability to play back both dvd-a and SACD on the cheap, the Pioneers aren't a bad option. For someone less interested in universality who wants to taste higher rez SACD on a budget, I would recommend checking out the Sony.

 

Thanks everyone. I'd like to experience this new technology. The players I've been watching seem to be dropping off the market daily. What's next? Amazon had four SCD-CE595 models left. The next day I looked they were all gone. Are they now discontinued? I could check around. I just want the most bang for my buck. I have a few DVD-As. I'd like to hear them on a proper DVD-A player. There are also some SACDs I'd like to get. This won't replace the hundreds of CDs I have. I'd just like to hear a few DVD-As and SACDs to judge for myself without clearing out my account.

 

I got a Sony DVP NS775V (DVD/SACD/CD, single disc) and only saw the DVD yesterday, after owning the thing for three months. Great DVD Player, SACD sounds really fine and the redbook CD was remarkably good.

 

Well, I'll check out the stores tomorrow. From what I've read, the single disc SACD/CD player is best. The Pioneer SACD/DVD-A/CD player sounds interesting. I'd be able to sample all formats. I think a single disc player SACD/CD would suffice. Maybe the DVP-NS775V? It will be fun to try out some new discs. Personally, the faves in my collection were the Gold DCC and MFSL discs. Now, I'm listening to Franz Ferdinand on one of those Sony Psyc Walkmans with some Sony MDR-V600 headphones. I like the sound on this thing. Good bass and I can hear music anytime, without annoying the wife. This will do until she's out of the house and I can blast some music properly. I look forward to trying out these new formats - SACD, DVD-A in 2-channel ... when I find the right gear.

 

I have an older single disc Sony dvd/SACD ($170) upstairs for stereo use and an older 5-disc one ($125, floor model - with a very useful headphone jack) for MC use in my basement. Redbook cd's sound warm on this player. I use a cheap Toshiba ($110) for my dvd/DVD-A MC playback again downstairs.

The Sonys also have the advantage of decoding dts in the head unit, the receiver (Onkyo) also has this capability if I connect the two digitally, but they are connected thru 6 analog feeds. No receiver can decode DVD-A or SACD that I know of, they are trying to keep you from getting the raw data feed in a computer so the digital connection to the receiver is of little use. The Toshiba player can read Dolby Digital but not dts.

I only have a couple SACD discs that felt like a ripoff. The Bowie 'Ziggy' is PAINFULLY bright, the stereo-only Big Star twofer has the same problem.

I listened to SACD for a year before going to a MC setup.

 

I am two channel as well. I have no problem with surround by definition....the "problem" I have with multi-channel is that to really do it right for music, you need 5 identical great speakers and a dedicated room where you can properly set them all around you....

 

I have had the Sony SCD-CE595 for 4 months and I am very satisfied. I, too, am only interested in 2 channel stereo for now, although I had been thinking about going multi-channel in recent months. But in the end, too much $$$ needed. Besides, I enjoy 2 channel SACD too much as it is.

 

DavidF: for stereo-only* playback for dvd-audios, there is a single-disc player from Panasonic that lots of stores sell:

Panasonic DVD-S47

Most places sell it for about $90-$100.

Though this player, the five-disc DVD-F87, is easier to find (Circuit City sells it). It also includes the decoder for CDs encoded with the HDCD format; & like the single-disc model, also has upsampling for CDs and mp3s.

Panasonic is one of the major backers of dvd-audio and manufactures much of the hardware to play it back so they know what they are doing with this format.

And like 99.9% of all dvd players they can also play DADs & Classic Record's "HDAD" discs, both of which use a stereo-only, 96kHz/24bit format. The HDAD format also includes a 192/24 track which can only be read by a dvd-audio player.

* I experimented with one of these a little at a store and with several discs it did automatically select the disc's stereo track, but with others, like my Pet Sounds disc, I had to manually choose the stereo track from the disc's on-screen menu.

 

We have that same SACD player and we're two-channel people as well...

 

My speakers are not identical and it sounds fine to me and most people that hear it.