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New, I'm seeing options like Marantz SA8001, Pioneer 79avi, demo Music Hall Maverick, Jungson Magic Boat.Used, there are a wide range, may be including Marantz SA-14, Sony XA-777ES.
Are there models to stay away from for either sound or reliability reasons (I'm already steering clear of the SACD 1000)?
Anything really stand out above the rest for 2-channel SACD performance--including models I haven't listed as well as those I have?
Follow Ups:
I put a dv79avi in my (humble) reference system for 2 channel playback and a/b against a GNSC modified Wadia 830. The dv79avi when playing hi-resolution disks (SACD, and DVD-A) approached the quality of the Wadia, however it was lacking in overall depth and sound stage… also I found the highs a bit bright on the dv79avi and decay seamed a little rolled off as well. The bass on the DV79avi also seamed "less tight" on the lows. CD playback was very good, but here too I found the overall presentation of the dv79avi compressed (as noted above). That being said the DV79avi cost me a little over $500 used while the Wadia cost me almost $4000 used…When used on it’s own you tend to forget it’s shortcomings and in the right setup it’s a bargain.
a)Wadia 830---> AI Mod3a---> McIntosh MC402---> Dynaudio Sp25
b)Pioneer DV79avi---> CJ Premier 14---> McIntosh MC7270---> Silverline SR17v3
nt
I would stay away from Yamaha. I had a real bad experience with the S1500. My dealer who sells Yamaha told me that they don't do DVD good. I now have a Pioneer DV79AVi and it is terrific! Yamaha's home theatre receivers are excellent, though.
Are you using your Pioneer mainly for multi-channel or for stereo also? If for stereo, how does it do on CD's?
I am using the Pioneer for two channel only. Don't have a surround set-up. Redbook is excellent. Not as good as my Benchmark DAC1 but better than previous players like Denon DCD-1650AR and an old Sumo transport/dac. Also, infinitly better than my previous Yamaha S1500 universal player.If I didn't have the Benchmark I could easily live with the Pioneer. In fact, often I do listen to "redbook" through the DV79AVi. My system has the Pioneer going through the pre-amp while I run the Benchmark directly to the power amp. Sometimes I'm too lazy to rewire so I'll play regular cds on the Pioneer. I feel like I'm losing very, very little. So, highly recommended for all two channel playback.
In what way? Simply "better than" does little for comparison purposes.
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