Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

David A. said:
ooof, not sure that will fly with my lady friend.
Click to expand...

You can get some good smaller red book ones that sound great. The better new redbooks I’ve heard all sound better playing the cd layer on the hybrids than my old Sony SACD player did playing the SACD layer.

I know that pro-ject’s RS top loader is small and well reviewed. Nu prime do some well received half width ones too. Both could be connected to the DAC in your new sprout 100 using a toslink digital cable. Don’t know how they stack up budget wise for you though!
 
David A. said:
Hiiii…. Recommendations on an Sacd player with a small footprint?
Click to expand...

Joe Mac said:
I’m actually don’t know of any that aren’t full size unless you look on the used market. New ones are becoming niche, very much audiophile only and higher up the manufacturers ranges. Some Sony Blu Ray players also play SACDs and are smaller but you’ll need a DSD DAC that takes a standard HDMI input and they are as rare as hens teeth.
Click to expand...
I'm running a Sony Blu Ray player as my CD player (haven't tried an SACD though). They also have a coaxial audio output you could use, but you'd need it to go into some sort of DAC, either one that's separate or built into your amp. Which amp are you rocking? The one I've linked below might be able to play SACDs, it doesn't say specifically in the specs, but some reviews say it can.

electronics.sony.com

Sony Blu-ray Player with 4K Upscaling and Wi/Fi for Streaming Video | BDPS6700

Play or stream your favourite entertainment with the S6700 4K upscaling Blu-ray player with WiFi. Watch movies or online content in stunning 4K clarity.
electronics.sony.com electronics.sony.com
 
Joe Mac said:
You can get some good smaller red book ones that sound great. The better new redbooks I’ve heard all sound better playing the cd layer on the hybrids than my old Sony SACD player did playing the SACD layer.

I know that pro-ject’s RS top loader is small and well reviewed. Nu prime do some well received half width ones too. Both could be connected to the DAC in your new sprout 100 using a toslink digital cable. Don’t know how they stack up budget wise for you though!
Click to expand...
This will be something I grab in a few months.
 
trickyseven said:
I'm running a Sony Blu Ray player as my CD player (haven't tried an SACD though). They also have a coaxial audio output you could use, but you'd need it to go into some sort of DAC, either one that's separate or built into your amp. Which amp are you rocking? The one I've linked below might be able to play SACDs, it doesn't say specifically in the specs, but some reviews say it can.

electronics.sony.com

Sony Blu-ray Player with 4K Upscaling and Wi/Fi for Streaming Video | BDPS6700

Play or stream your favourite entertainment with the S6700 4K upscaling Blu-ray player with WiFi. Watch movies or online content in stunning 4K clarity.
electronics.sony.com electronics.sony.com
Click to expand...

It can but SACDs DRM specifically blocks the SACD layer being output through toslink or coax. Only the CD layer can be output. It can be sent out the HDMI so that multi channel SACDs can be played through a AVR. You could theoretically output it to a DAC with a standard HDMI protocol input but they are as rare as hens teeth, the only ones I know of are Bryson and $$$$$$$.

Honestly red book cd players and transports, particularly at mid range, have got so good now that unless you’re willing to spend multiple thousands on serious audiophile gear SACDs just aren’t worth the hassle.
 
Last edited:
Joe Mac said:
It can but SACDs DRM specifically blocks the SACD layer being output through toslink or coax. Only the CD layer can be output. It can be sent out the HDMI so that multi channel SACDs can be played through a AVR. You could theoretically output it to a DAC with a standard HDMI protocol input but they are as rare as hens teeth, the only ones I know of are Bryson and $$$$$$$.

Honestly red book cd players and transports, particularly at mid range, have got so good now that unless you’re willing to spend multiple thousands on serious audiophile gear SACDs just aren’t worth the hassle.
Click to expand...
Ah good point!
 
Joe Mac said:
You could theoretically output it to a DAC with a standard HDMI protocol input but they are as rare as hens teeth, the only ones I know of are Bryson and $$$$$$$.
Click to expand...
Is I2S the same as HDMI? My singxer DAC has I2S input which fits an HDMI cable. The new Ares 12th DAC has I2S over HDMI. And there are quite a few SACD/BluRay players with HDMI out that pass DSD over HDMI. I’ve been eyeing some Oppo players in the $300-$400 range that will output DSD via HDMI (some with mods others without it seems).
 
David A. said:
This will be something I grab in a few months.
Click to expand...
Which amp did you end up going with? If you want a normal CD transport, Leak makes one that matches their amp:

www.musicdirect.com

Leak - CDT CD Transport

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com

Not cheap though. I think someone here may have it?
 
I got the PS 100 Audio Sprout. Figuring out how to handle CD’s and/or streaming to the Sprout. I’ve also been told I can’t do hi res streaming to the sprout on my phone but need to link it to a media server?
MikeH said:
Which amp did you end up going with? If you want a normal CD transport, Leak makes one that matches their amp:

www.musicdirect.com

Leak - CDT CD Transport

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com

Not cheap though. I think someone here may have it?
Click to expand...
 
David A. said:
I got the PS 100 Audio Sprout. Figuring out how to handle CD’s and/or streaming to the Sprout. I’ve also been told I can’t do hi res streaming to the sprout on my phone but need to link it to a media server?
Click to expand...
I also looked at the Leak integrated amp as an upgrade from the audio sprout but not sure if it would be a lateral move.
 
David A. said:
I got the PS 100 Audio Sprout. Figuring out how to handle CD’s and/or streaming to the Sprout. I’ve also been told I can’t do hi res streaming to the sprout on my phone but need to link it to a media server?
Click to expand...
You could do Bluetooth but capped at Bluetooth quality. What high res streaming service do you use? I’m not super familiar with the Wiims but someone was talking about them recently. Might be worth looking into:

Amazon product ASIN B09HC5GRKY
 
MikeH said:
Is I2S the same as HDMI? My singxer DAC has I2S input which fits an HDMI cable. The new Ares 12th DAC has I2S over HDMI. And there are quite a few SACD/BluRay players with HDMI out that pass DSD over HDMI. I’ve been eyeing some Oppo players in the $300-$400 range that will output DSD via HDMI (some with mods others without it seems).
Click to expand...

No!

I2S is a signal where the clock information is split from the audio information. Supposedly it gives better sound. Designing a proprietary cable is expensive. HiFi manufacturers used HDMI cables and connectors instead because they were off the shelf but the pins are sending completely different signals and are not cross compatible.

The oppo and all the Sony’s nearly all output DSD over normal HDMI but only super expensive Bryson DACs have normal HDMI, outside of AVRs, from what I’ve been able to fathom.
 
Last edited:
MikeH said:
I’m pretty sure you can’t stream apple high res lossless to anything wirelessly. Unless things have changed….
Click to expand...

So random. From an iPhone/iPad no. From an Android phone yes….

AirPlay is the issue. Limited to CD quality. On an Android chromecast isn’t.

You can connect a Mac or windows laptop/computer to the sprout over usb and it will give you hi res Apple Music.
 
Last edited:
David A. said:
I also looked at the Leak integrated amp as an upgrade from the audio sprout but not sure if it would be a lateral move.
Click to expand...

My feeling would be lateral and if there is any increase in quality or convince (more inputs) it might be perhaps too close in performance to warrant spending on another new amp so soon.

Also if you need small footprint both the leak cd and amp are full size 450mm wide components.
 
Joe Mac said:
So random. From an iPhone/iPad no. From an Android phone yes….

AirPlay is the issue. Limited to CD quality. On an Android chromecast isn’t.

You can connect a Mac or windows laptop/computer to the sprout over usb and it will give you hi res Apple Music.
Click to expand...
Wait. So how can I get Apple lossless to my Bluesound Node from my android phone? I can't can I? The node doesn't have Apple music support I don't think no? It's not in the list of available players.
 
Mather said:
Wait. So how can I get Apple lossless to my Bluesound Node from my android phone? I can't can I? The node doesn't have Apple music support I don't think no? It's not in the list of available players.
Click to expand...

No because the node doesn’t have chromecast support. If it did you could as far as 24/96 by casting it from the phone to the node.
 
For Apple Music, if it’s your only streaming/files, part of me thinks that the way forward is to buy the cheapest iPad on sale, the usb lightening to camera adapter and then connect it to your DAC using a usb cable. Put it permanently on a stand nest to the rest of your gear and you get the full 24/192 to your DAC and a nice clear display with touchscreen controls.
 
Joe Mac said:
No!

I2S is a signal where the clock information is split from the audio information. Supposedly it gives better sound. Designing a proprietary cable is expensive. HiFi manufacturers used HDMI cables and connectors instead because they were off the shelf but the pins are sending completely different signals and are not cross compatible.

The oppo and all the Sony’s nearly all output DSD over normal HDMI but only super expensive Bryson DACs have normal HDMI, outside of AVRs, from what I’ve been able to fathom.
Click to expand...
Hmm I’ve definitely seen ways to do it…oppo mod seems to be one…

OPPOMOD

Linear Power Module upgrade for OPPO and Cambridge Audio blu-ray players.
www.oppomod.com

And there are some external hdmi to I2S boxes too that seem to work with mixed results depending on your DAC. A converter box works with the Denafrips Terminator and might with the new ares since that has I2S.

Also when I said over HDMI, I meant using an HDMI cable and from the SACD player’s HDMI out. I know a conversion needs to happen somewhere to get I2S to work.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top