SACD Players in 2025?

[Descartes]

What about just using the Sony UBP-X800M2 as a transport, that’s probably the best option, don’t you think?

 

[aagstn]

What about just using the Sony UBP-X800M2 as a transport, that’s probably the best option, don’t you think?

Sony has discontinued them, but if you can get one at a decent price I think it is a good way to go. You can send the DSD out HDMI to a compatible receiver to enjoy multichannel. The X800M2 also supports DVD-A and most importantly blu-ray audio. There are some fantastic multichannel albums available on blu-ray audio. I would not lock myself into just SACD playback in 2026. It is also insane to pay thousands for a SACD player full of noisy gimmicks when an X800M2 can still be found for under $400 US. The Sony X700 is still being made and also supports SACD, but does not support DVD-A. It is a less expensive option, but IMO not as well built as the X800M2.

 

[Descartes]

Sony has discontinued them, but if you can get one at a decent price I think it is a good way to go. You can send the DSD out HDMI to a compatible receiver to enjoy multichannel. The X800M2 also supports DVD-A and most importantly blu-ray audio. There are some fantastic multichannel albums available on blu-ray audio. I would not lock myself into just SACD playback in 2026. It is also insane to pay thousands for a SACD player full of noisy gimmicks when an X800M2 can still be found for under $400 US. The Sony X700 is still being made and also supports SACD, but does not support DVD-A. It is a less expensive option, but IMO not as well built as the X800M2.

Yes I have been buying a few BluRay Audio in ATMOS from SDE and the experience is amazing. I strongly recommend Frankie goes to Hollywood. Welcome to pleasure dome.

 

[NTTY]

Shanling also makes an SACD player:

Introducing Shanling SCD1.3_Shenzhen Shanling Digital Techno

It would be interesting to test this one, although it’s only stereo analogue output.

Apart from SACD30n, Marantz makes the SACD 10 and SA-10 and the former SA-12 is still procurable in Europe.

Luxman offers the D-03x, D-07x and D-10x, Esoteric the K-01XD SE, K-03XD SE, K-05XD and and K1X SE as well as the P1X SE/K1X SE combination and Accuphase the DP-570 and DP-770 as well as the DP-1000/DC-1000 combination, but most of them are not for the mere mortals such as us.

I may add the Technics SL-G700M2 to the list. Again only stereo outputs.

 

[Roland68]

It would be interesting to test this one, although it’s only stereo analogue output.

I may add the Technics SL-G700M2 to the list. Again only stereo outputs.

I assume you're referring to the lack of analog multi-channel outputs?

Then I'd suggest the relatively inexpensive Sony DVP NS900V as a replacement, since it also has analog 5.1 outputs.

 

[NTTY]

I assume you're referring to the lack of analog multi-channel outputs?

Yep. And I did not check if they output digital multichannel, I must admit.

Then I'd suggest the relatively inexpensive Sony DVP NS900V as a replacement, since it also has analog 5.1 outputs.

Indeed, but that’s no longer produced.

 

[Roland68]

Yep. And I did not check if they output digital multichannel, I must admit.

Indeed, but that’s no longer produced.

The Technics SL-G700M2 and the Shanling SCD1.3 don't support multi-channel audio, even digitally.

The necessary bandwidth is only available via HDMI anyway. If that's not present, and there's no analog 5.1 output either, then it can't be a SACD multi-channel player.
I don't currently have any information on whether the Onix Zenith XST20 outputs a SACD 5.1 stream via I2S.

Even though the Sony DVP NS900V has been out of production for a long time, it's an affordable entry point into a SACD 5.1 multi-channel system, if that's what you're looking for.
The analog multi-channel output offers settings for delay, volume, and subwoofer, so an analog preamp/volume control is sufficient. There's no volume control on the player itself.
Maybe you'll find one at a good price sometime.

 

[Scytales]

I don't currently have any information on whether the Onix Zenith XST20 outputs a SACD 5.1 stream via I2S.

I checked that in post #139: no multichannel signal is available via the I2S output.

 

[Scytales]

It would be interesting to test this one, although it’s only stereo analogue output.

I may add the Technics SL-G700M2 to the list. Again only stereo outputs.

Another interesting player was spotted in Shangaï, China: https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/finally-a-portable-sacd-player.1244036/

 

[NTTY]

Maybe you'll find one at a good price sometime.

To test the one, why not, else I’m already equipped

 

[Descartes]

Glad my OPPO UDP-205 still works I only use it for SACD playing!

 

[Sal1950]

Sony has discontinued them, but if you can get one at a decent price I think it is a good way to go. You can send the DSD out HDMI to a compatible receiver to enjoy multichannel. The X800M2 also supports DVD-A and most importantly blu-ray audio. There are some fantastic multichannel albums available on blu-ray audio. I would not lock myself into just SACD playback in 2026. It is also insane to pay thousands for a SACD player full of noisy gimmicks when an X800M2 can still be found for under $400 US. The Sony X700 is still being made and also supports SACD, but does not support DVD-A. It is a less expensive option, but IMO not as well built as the X800M2.

Best Buy showing shipping stock available.
There's also so many used BluRay players on ebay etc for peanuts. I bought an old Sony S5100 off ebay for $50 with remote for ripping SACD's, still works perfectly.

 

[aagstn]

Best Buy showing shipping stock available.
There's also so many used BluRay players on ebay etc for peanuts. I bought an old Sony S5100 off ebay for $50 with remote for ripping SACD's, still works perfectly.

I have seen numerous Sony Blu-ray players that support SACD in thrift stores or at garage sales for $15 or less. Finding one with a remote is usually the challenge there. I ripped all my SACDs with the S790 I have had for 14 years or so. Player has held up great over the years. There are a ton of affordable options for SACD if you look for a used DVD or Blu-ray player.

 

[Sal1950]

Finding one with a remote is usually the challenge there.

True but just about any Sony remote that has disc player capability will work.
I had to unplug my 5100 cause every time I used my 800M2 they both would be answering the call. LOL

 

[Robin L]

I have seen numerous Sony Blu-ray players that support SACD in thrift stores or at garage sales for $15 or less. Finding one with a remote is usually the challenge there. I ripped all my SACDs with the S790 I have had for 14 years or so. Player has held up great over the years. There are a ton of affordable options for SACD if you look for a used DVD or Blu-ray player.

I've got a feral Sony Blu-Ray player, found in the wild for $8. Amazon had the clone remote* for about $10. Has a digital HDMI output, along with optical Toslink and Coax. Have no use for the surround options anymore, but I've got a few single-layer SACDs that this player breezes through.

*Clone Remote—sounds like a Madchester post-punk band affecting weird hairstyles.

 

[Sal1950]

I've got a feral Sony Blu-Ray player,

Be careful when you have the drawer open that you don't get bite, it could be rabid.

 

[Chrispy]

True but just about any Sony remote that has disc player capability will work.
I had to unplug my 5100 cause every time I used my 800M2 they both would be answering the call. LOL

Why would you use both in the same room?

 

[Sal1950]

Why would you use both in the same room?

Cause that's all I have? LOL
Would you put one in a bedroom and run 100' of HDMI ?
A lot easier to just unplug the AC on the very lightly used one.

 

[Chrispy]

Cause that's all I have? LOL
Would you put one in a bedroom and run 100' of HDMI ?
A lot easier to just unplug the AC on the very lightly used one.

Why use both then? My main bedroom has an S5100 of its own (Oppo 203 in living room) and have a 5100 in my workshop system and a 6700 in a spare bedroom....my other bedroom has just a two ch system with no video.....

 

[Rick63]

I have both an original UBP-X800 and a M2. I have the original boxed up as a backup, but a few times I thought about hooking it up along with the M2. I'd use the UBP-X800 for SACD discs only, thinking it would save some wear on the M2's drive unit.

The only reason I haven't done it yet is because of the remote control issue, and there's no way I'd want to unplug one of them while using the other all the time.

I hope my M2 lives a long life, since the original version doesn't have Dolby Vision. I don't use mine too extensively though.