Need suggestions for SACD player under $300

Seth--L · 08-04-2004, 04:20 PM

After months of nagging, I’ve convinced a friend to buy a SACD player. Understandably, he’s not looking to make a major investment – his budget is about $250-$300. After reading consumer reviews on this site and others, it sounds like all the entry-level SACD players (DVD players that support SACD) are iffy. The models we’ve looked at:

Pioneer DV-578A (the general consensus seems to be that the 563 was better)
Samsung DVD-HD841
Toshiba SD-6915

Haven’t heard too much about the Sony DVP-NC685V.

It seems like the best SACD player out there in this price range is the Philips DVD963SA which a lot of people are selling at 50% off the MSRP. The reviews I’ve found for it are favorable about its SACD playback quality.

So, should I tell my friend to go with the Philips, or is there something we should be looking at, or is there better stuff due out soon?

Thanks.

NickSo · 08-04-2004, 05:47 PM

The new Toshiba 4960 might fit the bill... Single disc, universal player...

Decent reviews at Audioasylum, even better wtih mods.

Apparently the Pioneers convert DSD to PCM, whereas the Toshiba 4960 does not.

Jerry Klawiter · 08-04-2004, 06:44 PM

Check the Sony SCDC222ES 5 disc
and the Sony DVP-NS900V single disc and DVD
http://www.theperfectvision.com/news...61802/sony.htm

Quote:

Apparently the Pioneers convert DSD to PCM,

I also have the pioneer 563a and feel that this cheap unit comes very close to the above two.
I believe it was said that the 563a did not.

Sheldon-m · 08-05-2004, 08:24 AM

check out the sony sacd player. i think it is about 300 at BB. it playes dvd's and sacd,and it has a storage of about 150 disk.

Shane Martin · 08-05-2004, 11:05 AM

If he doesn't want a dvd player then the Sony offerings are good(SACD/CD only).

If he wants a dvd player then the Toshiba should be avoided. It's a POS. The Samsung isn't very good either.

Yamaha has a changer that lists for $499 but I've seen it much cheaper:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/DVD/DVDC940.htm
It has Faroudja as well.

**HTF Ads**

Danny Tse · 08-05-2004, 12:13 PM

Just picked up brand-new Sony CE595 5-disc SACD/CD changer from Best Buy. No video circuitry in this player. $150.00.

Seth--L · 08-05-2004, 01:05 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Shane,

I was thinking of trying to get my friend to spend more and go with a the Yamaha S1500.

Danny,

Is there a single disc version? How do you like it so far for SACD playback?

Shane Martin · 08-05-2004, 01:47 PM

Seth,
The only Sony Single disc version are high end ES other than their dvd players.

Quote:

I was thinking of trying to get my friend to spend more and go with a the Yamaha S1500

There isn't a definitive date for its release. I keep hearing about pushbacks on the release date.

Danny Tse · 08-05-2004, 02:26 PM

Seth,

Sony announced earlier this year that they will come out with a $140.00 SACD/DVD single disc player. So far, nothing released yet.

Haven't opened box to CE595 yet; got it 2 nights ago. This weekend, I will break it in. Hopefully, not breaking it breaking it in.

Seth--L · 08-14-2004, 08:18 PM

Danny,

Any comments?

Also, any news on the single disc version?

Thanks