Guys, this is turning into a very good thread: I think that, in voicing my misgivings and regret over the expense involved in SACD acquisition, my voice is one of many who simply want the best product for the least expenditure. The CAL in question is $200.00, and is not the only unit I have eye-balled. Another ad I have seriously given thought to is a nice micromega 4, which to my recollection is a very pleasant sounding player and has the advantage of being upgradable and is supported by a company that is still extant. As you know from my comments in the previous ear-training exercise, my apparatus is not as refined as some of y'alls. I may well enjoy the SACD format very much, but I think that going with a good quality player with improved D/A conversion may suit my purposes well....