$120 or $400 Sony SACD Player?

[iZimbra]

Thanks Wooch, shok & em!
Really appreciate the comparison on the low and mid Sonys, Woochifer - was hoping for this. I may one day consider a universal - for DVD-A play - so appreciate the Pioneer nod, emorphien. Really just got the Sony on a lark - to check out SACD and must say I'm impressed. I'm also toying with the idea of simply modding the current box - the Audience guy doesn't seem to feel the box is too low-end to fool with. ~$625 would do the following:

Primary Digital Disc Player/DA Converter Modification by Audience

Original AC input power wiring and filter components are removed and replaced with Audience components including new Auricaps and Auric hookup wire. This includes proprietary inductors made with Auric hook-up wire.
Power supply rectifier is replaced with higher rated type.
The power supply is further improved within the analog output stage with special attention to the DAC supplies.
An IEC power inlet receptacle is installed if necessary.
The power supply circuit board is removed, inspected and re-soldered.
All signal path electrolytic capacitors are removed and replaced with jumper wires or Auricaps as appropriate.
Current limiting parts are eliminated and the fuse and fuse holder are replaced if necessary.
All critical signal filter capacitors are replaced with precision 1% Auricap capacitors.
Critical op amp IC’s are replaced with selected OPA2132 Burr Brown units.
Electrolytic filtering caps for analog stage power supply section are replaced with high temperature rated, low ESR, low impedance, larger value units.
Output signal resistors are replaced with high quality Dale 1% nonmagnetic units.
RCA output jacks are replaced with upgraded units.
13) Power supply rails are bypassed with multiple value Auricaps.
14) A complete diagnostic scan and adjustment procedure is performed.
15) Listening evaluation and burn in is performed.

Upshot: a $750 unit that I'd most likely enjoy for years. The last (CDP-491 - cheap!) Sony (single disc) CD player I bought ~15 years ago is still going strong - but, I don't know Sony's current track record.

For now I'm gonna sit tight...and just enjoy the music.

[emorphien]

Upshot: a $750 unit that I'd most likely enjoy for years. The last (CDP-491 - cheap!) Sony (single disc) CD player I bought ~15 years ago is still going strong - but, I don't know Sony's current track record.

I've not been as enamored with Sony as of late. Much of their hardware just doesn't seem to last like it used to. Some of their SACD players are supposed to be quite nice, but I would recommend considering a dual format/universal player so you can enjoy DVD-A as well. It's quite worth it IMO

Good luck!