Best SACD player under $400 used

ben62670

Well the title says it. I am giving up on HT for now, and want to get my 2 channel in order.
Thanks
Ben

AndyGwis

A few to look at in that price range would include:

Marantz SA 8260 - great sound, audio only. Some have complained of reliability issues.
Pioneer 59avi/79avi - very, very good audio and video universals.
Denon 5900 - great build quality, very very good video and sound.
Music Hall Maverick - hard to find at that price, supposedly sounds very good. Great "audiophile" look to it. Some complain of reliability and poor MH service.

Sony SCD C2000ES (~$200), C222ES ($250-350), C333ES / C555ES ($300-$400)- great build quality, great sound, audio only, reliability never a question.

dorokusai

I like the Sony recommendation, especially the chnger idea. You could probably find a SCD-555ES for that price, plus you can get them modded later on if you chose to do so. I'll buy another CDP eventually but will always keep my hotrod Sony handy for downtime.

tcrossma

Might not be what you're wanting since it's also a DVD player, but I'm pretty damn happy with my Denon 3910 player. Very good CD and SACD playback. In any case, good luck with the dissemination of your HT, I'm in the process of doing that as well.

ben62670

Thanks Guys keep them coming. On paper the Marantz look great. I haven't heard of reliability issues though.
Ben

dorokusai

The SA-8260 is very nice for a single spinner.....nor have I heard of reliability issues.

ben62670

dorokusai wrote: »

The SA-8260 is very nice for a single spinner.....nor have I heard of reliability issues.

Thats the one I have been looking out for. Time to do some research.

AndyGwis

I've owned two. One had ZERO issues. The other didn't appear to have any issues when I first got it, but later had trouble playing some SACDs.

Maybe I just had a lemon. I'm waiting to get it back from service now.

If you read on Audioreview.com they mention TOC reading error. I think all discs give the TOC (table of contents) when the played in the 8260, and maybe people hit buttons while it's reading and confuse it.

I'd get another without being too concerned if it was a good price from a reliable Agon seller. However, I definitely WOULDN'T spend more to get the newer sa-8001 that's gotten some great reviews

ben62670

AndyGwis wrote: »

I've owned two. One had ZERO issues. The other didn't appear to have any issues when I first got it, but later had trouble playing some SACDs.

Maybe I just had a lemon. I'm waiting to get it back from service now.

If you read on Audioreview.com they mention TOC reading error. I think all discs give the TOC (table of contents) when the played in the 8260, and maybe people hit buttons while it's reading and confuse it.

I'd get another without being too concerned if it was a good price from a reliable Agon seller. However, I'd rather spend a hundred or whatever more to get a used SA-8001.

Andy please don't do that to me:eek:

Face

AndyGwis wrote: »

I'd get another without being too concerned if it was a good price from a reliable Agon seller. However, I'd rather spend a hundred or whatever more to get a used SA-8001.

I plan on picking up one soon.

ben62670

Face wrote: »

I plan on picking up one soon.

Well if you are going to get one...

AndyGwis

Edited. . . sorry, as if we collectively need more advice to spend more.

$400 will get you a great SACD player. If you want audio only, go 8260 or one of the Sony ES's. If you think video would be nice, too, get a PE, Denon, or Marantz (dv-8400, dv-8500, etc.)

billbillw

That Denon 2900 that is for sale in the FM is a pretty good deal. Not the absolute best in stock form, but its solid, well built, and I believe there are a number of mods you can get done to it.

Other than that, I'll make another nod to the Sony SACD changers. Except, I would only recommend the C555ES or the C333ES.

The C333ES in stock form is better than any of the other SACD changers and its 2ch only. Sony's original design. The C555ES is multichannel and can be modded to a very high level by sacdmods.com.

The C333ES can be modded too, but you have to go through VacuumState (or one of their US dealers) to get that mod and its quite a bit more expensive.

ben62670

AndyGwis wrote: »

Edited. . . sorry, as if we collectively need more advice to spend more.

$400 will get you a great SACD player. If you want audio only, go 8260 or one of the Sony ES's. If you think video would be nice, too, get a PE, Denon, or Marantz (dv-8400, dv-8500, etc.)

Thanks Andy. There are a couple 8260's on agon for around $400, and the 8001 is at least $600. After I figure out how many SACD's I will have in my collection it just don't pay!

billbillw

Ben,
I can let you audition the C333ES sometime if you want. I think you'd be impressed. I've seen them go ridiculously cheap lately too, especially on Ebay.

AndyGwis

I sold mine for $450 shipped on Audiogon not too long ago so those prices seem in line. I've seen them for as little as $350 shipped and up to $500.

I saw one SA-8001 on Agon for $500, but it was sold in about 5 minutes. I emailed after 10 minutes and the guy already had multiple offers.

ben62670

billbillw wrote: »

Ben,
I can let you audition the C333ES sometime if you want. I think you'd be impressed. I've seen them go ridiculously cheap lately too, especially on Ebay.

That would be cool. Your place, or mine:)

ben62670

Marantz owned:D
http://us.marantz.com/SA8260_SPECS.pdf
Just bought it. Now I have to sell my Adcom GFA-555:(
I feel it'll be worth it.
Ben

ben62670

Thank you. I have an SACD player already, but it is a Sony 400 disc DVD player. I am hoping this will be a formidable step up. If not this shall go.
Ben

janmike

Congrats Ben. Hope that is what you are looking for.

PS - Everyone getting used to the new area & place?

billbillw

ben62670 wrote: »

Marantz owned:D
Just bought it. Now I have to sell my Adcom GFA-555:(
I feel it'll be worth it.
Ben

Cool! We shall have to get that Marantz and my Sony 333 together sometime and compare them. I'd be really interested to hear the difference. I'd venture to say the Marantz will probably sound noticeably better on Redbook, but on SACD, who knows...

engtaz

Nice looking Marantz, Ben. Congrats, You will love it.

engtaz

Ern Dog

Ben,
How do you like your Marantz 8260? I'm considering upgrading my NAD C542. For redbook cd's, do you think the Marantz would out perform my NAD? Do you have any complaints about the unit? Also, since it is a multi-channel unit, will I loose out on information if I only use it for 2 channels? Thanks for your feedback.

billbillw

Ern Dog wrote: »

Ben,
How do you like your Marantz 8260? I'm considering upgrading my NAD C542. For redbook cd's, do you think the Marantz would out perform my NAD? Do you have any complaints about the unit? Also, since it is a multi-channel unit, will I loose out on information if I only use it for 2 channels? Thanks for your feedback.

He never actually went through with the deal on that Marantz, I think that Andy Gwis had one of those 8260s though. Might want to ask him.

skykeys

Sorry to have gotten on this recommendation list late. The Oppo DV-980H is an excellent player. Brand new it will cost you $170. It's a universal DVD player, not strictly a CD/SACD player, but it has been optimized for audio use.

I did the research on this unit, believe me. My primary concern was audio, though I was looking for a universal player. I now have it, and I love it. The other units recommended here are very good I'm sure, and if you've gotten a good deal on a used one, that's cool. Hopefully it will last. But for brand new, one of the best values on the market is the Oppo unit. Oppo's other higher priced units are getting excellent reviews as well.

FYI, Oppo will be coming out with a Blu-Ray player sometime early next year. When you get around to focusing on HT again, I suggest it should be on your list.

Regards.

AndyGwis

Looks like someone mentioned my name. . .

I have a SA-8260 for sale in the FM currently. I had to send it in because it wouldn't read 2 of my 15 SACDs properly. I'll have to check the serial numbers, but they may have given me a brand new unit.

At the very least, I think they replaced the laser and brought back up to "like new / factory specs."

I listened to it for a few hours the other night and it's playing everything perfectly. It's a great player, especially for the price. Would be hard to find a standalone CD player that would best it for $400 so you can consider the SACD playback (which is DSD and very good) a freebie!

Andy