SACD player recommendations

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TroyD
TroyD Posts: 13,077
in 2 Channel Audio
So, my trusty modded Sony SCD-555es has bit the dust. The laser is gone and that particular laser is made of unobtainium. There are lasers made of Chinesium....but they don't work. I've tried a couple of them. The sound lousy and they don't last more than a month or so.

I've got the F1 Top Fuel dragster modded Jolida CD player....but I have a number of SACD's and would like to listen to them.

So, I'm looking for recommendations.......because of parts and so forth, I'm leary of going really far back in terms of vintage for the reason above. Parts and Service. For example, there are a couple of MF Kw SACD players.....a stretch financially and if they break, what do I do? MF service has been hit or miss to say the least. There are a couple of Sony SCD-777es (one done up by ModWright) but, again, we are looking at players that are 20 years old.

Anyway, players in the last decade or so....what do you got. And, I'm just interested in how they sound playing SACD's. That's the only important consideration....

BDT
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,372
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    A Marantz SA-8004 or SA-8005 sounds fine to me with SACD. Looks like Marantz has discontinued disc spinners in that price range and standalone CD/SACD players now go for north of $2K.
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    Hmm...me thinks budget is kinda important here.

    I loved my Marantz reference SA-14S1, but that’s a bit pricey...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    1500 or so, give or take is my wheelhouse....
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaae51-marantz-sa-14s1-cd-sacd-player-sa14s1-pcm-1792-dac-remote-33281-cd-sacd-players

    TMR tends to price on the high side, and this is a good bit more than I paid for mine, but it’s a great player.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,372
    edited May 2021
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    Correction. Marantz discontinued the SA8005 and replaced it with the ND8006 but dropped the SACD drive from that model. Dumb move.

    Denon still has one though: https://www.amazon.com/Denon-DCD-1600NE-Super-Audio-Player/dp/B07CBFXJW3/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=sacd+player&qid=1621867800&sr=8-4&th=1
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,189
    edited May 2021
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    At this point, I'd rip them and stream. You can do this with some moderate computer skills and a $30 used Blu-ray player, and of course, a DSD capable DAC. I've done this with all my discs. I still fire up my SCD-333ES occasionally, but if/when that laser goes out, I'll be in a similar situation (except that I've already ripped mine).

    LOOOOONG thread here: https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/28569-sacd-ripping-using-an-oppo-or-pioneer-yes-its-true/
    You will see in the beginning, it was only possible with some Oppo and a few others. Later, they discovered some mainstream Sony players that could do it. I have a BDP-S5100 that I grabbed for under $40 a few years back.

    Otherwise, I'd try and find a Pioneer PD-D9 (either version, no real difference in the Mk2 other than color). They are pretty rare though. I had one for a few years and it was solid! Great build quality and very good sound. It had some pretty high end Wolfson DAC chips and the analog section was well excecuted. I think the laser is a bit more available too, but it has been a few years since I checked.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,802
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    rooftop59 wrote: »
    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaae51-marantz-sa-14s1-cd-sacd-player-sa14s1-pcm-1792-dac-remote-33281-cd-sacd-players

    TMR tends to price on the high side, and this is a good bit more than I paid for mine, but it’s a great player.

    I agree, it's a great player.

    I noted in the ad description, "This SA-14S1 has an upgraded DAC chip installed, the Burr Brown PCM 1792 DAC chip, instead of the typical Cirrus Logic DAC chip." Who says it is an upgrade? The original DAC chip is excellent, IMO and one of the reasons the player sounds great. I wouldn't buy the one TMR is selling due to that.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    I hear you on the streaming thing.....but, call me old fashioned, I just want to slide the disc in a tray, hit play......
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    TroyD wrote: »
    I hear you on the streaming thing.....but, call me old fashioned, I just want to slide the disc in a tray, hit play......

    I'll just call you childless haha.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
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    rooftop59 wrote: »
    TroyD wrote: »
    I hear you on the streaming thing.....but, call me old fashioned, I just want to slide the disc in a tray, hit play......

    I'll just call you childless haha.

    That's what rubberband and squirt guns are for >:)
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    obviously you can search audiogon, but I am wondering if anyone has heard this one?

    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaab9h-marantz-sa-11s2-cd-sacd-players

    Also, you could just pull the laser from this one perhaps?!?

    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaa7gg-sony-scd-c555es-cd-sacd-player-scdc555es-32826-cd-sacd-players

    Also, man good SACD players are NOT cheap...it actually isn't that much different from streamers. If you want a really good one you are going to pay out the hole...

    Last idea. I am actually using my Sony UDP-x1000es universal player via hdmi out into my NAD M51 DAC, and it was very hard for me to discern a drop off in quality from the Marantz (the sony as a transport through the Marantz as a DAC using just redbox CDs [to be fair] was virtually impossible to distinguish). Might be able to upgrade the DAC and save some coin going that route...•

    •I can't get DSD through the NAD, so there's that...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    I've thought about going the cannibalization route....which there is merit to, but, still, at the end of the day, you've got a 20 year old laser, made of unobtanium, that is prone to fail.....

    Yes, good SACD players aren't cheap for sure. Right now, I'm looking at a Marantz SA-14s1, a Sony ModWright unit (XA5400ES) and a Cary 306........

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
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    I have the Sony XA5400ES, and while I haven't turned it on for over a year, it is a great player. It was the last TOTL SACD player Sony made.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,372
    edited May 2021
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    This Sony Blu Ray player will play SACD and 4K video for cheap. Not sure how long it would work over HDMI. No analog outputs. The older and not so in demand Oppos will get the job done too. :)

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PFRDT16?pf_rd_r=EB9H0C93AGXMWA72BGAM&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=df3e141f-13f6-4451-a580-52b563788c81&pd_rd_w=QnQvL&pd_rd_wg=rM1M2&ref_=pd_gw_unk
    Post edited by Emlyn on
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,579
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    A carousel player? I thought F1nut taught you better.....

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    Carousel, shmaro-sel.

    The 555es was the heat. The only digital player I’ve heard I like better is F1’s kw player
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    TroyD wrote: »
    Yes, good SACD players aren't cheap for sure. Right now, I'm looking at a Marantz SA-14s1, a Sony ModWright unit (XA5400ES) and a Cary 306........

    BDT

    If you think an OPPO-105 will check all the boxes . . . send me a PM

    btw, What's the status with TroyFest?
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    Hey man! I pulled the trigger on a Sony SCD XA5400es with ModWright upgrades. Tubes Rule.

    The Oppo is a great player for sure, I have a 103 in the living room rig....and it's definitely a solid performer!

    TroyFest is a thing. We are looking at the beginning of October. Stay tuned!
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,004
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    TroyD wrote: »
    Carousel, shmaro-sel.
    If you like carousels, then you would LOVE the Sony 400-disc player I have :D

    Sony DVP-CX995V
    a1i8b19dzwfg.jpeg
    I actually only used it to test the one SACD I own, and then put it away. I mean, geez, a person would have to create and print a hard-copy library of the discs loaded - DVD, CD, SACD.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,085
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    TroyD wrote: »
    Hey man! I pulled the trigger on a Sony SCD XA5400es with ModWright upgrades. Tubes Rule.

    TroyFest is a thing. We are looking at the beginning of October. Stay tuned!

    Congrats!
    Post thoughts on the Sony/ModWright when ya get a chance . . .
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    Will do!
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 9,984
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    I have a XA5400ES was wondering how good the modwright mods were. They’re pricey new.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    Bring your player to PF and we can do a comparison!
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,339
    edited May 2021
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    What about a used Marantz UD5005 or its twin Denon DBP-1611UD? Internal DAC is the PCM1781 (24 bit/192KHz). They output DSD over the HDMI only. Might be able to find a nice DAC with HDMI input to handle the conversion or a receiver with a good DAC.

    The Marantz UD7007 and its twin Denon DBP-2012UDCI use the PCM1795 (32 bit/192KHz) same deal with the DSD over HDMI only. These two add the full complement of analog outs compared to the two above which only that R&L analog out.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    You lost me at HDMI and receiver, lol.

    Nope, just plain old 2 channel....and I'm not sure how that works with DAC's and decoding SACD's but, I've got a 2channel playa coming so we'll see how she goes.
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • guyincognito
    guyincognito Posts: 128
    edited May 2021
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    The Bryston BDA3 is the only DAC I'm aware of that has HDMI inputs. I don't have an SACD player but when I was entertaining the idea I was pretty disappointed that the majority of players can only output DSD in digital form via HDMI making it very hard to use with an outboard DAC. The Bryston BDA3 was the only DAC I found with HDMI inputs that would allow you to use an SACD player as a transport. There may be other HDMI capable DACs but I have yet to stumble upon them.
    Rega Planar 8, Apheta 3 MC , Aria mk2 Phono
    Aurender n100h, Benchmark DAC2 HGC
    Arcam SR250, Parasound JC5
    Revel F208, SVS SB-4000
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    guyincognito wrote: »
    The Bryston BDA3 is the only DAC I'm aware of that has HDMI inputs. I don't have an SACD player but when I was entertaining the idea I was pretty disappointed that the majority of players can only output DSD in digital form via HDMI making it very hard to use with an outboard DAC. The Bryston BDA3 was the only DAC I found with HDMI inputs that would allow you to use an SACD player as a transport. There may be other HDMI capable DACs but I have yet to stumble upon them.

    My NAD M51 has hdmi inputs and output but doesn’t process DSD. Since I have about 3 SACDs it doesn’t really matter to me...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,339
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    In my main system, I'm presently using a Denon DVD-2910 to play CD, SACD and DVD-A. The SACD and DVD-A use the internal DAC and analog outputs to my Parasound pre. For CD I'm using the optical out to a Benchmark DAC1, which is pretty incredible.

    My HT system has a Marantz UD5005 universal player passing everything via HDMI to a Marantz SR7010 since it has a better DAC.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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