Fine sacd player, great value
Pros:
Fine SACD, good redbook CD, inexpensive.
Cons:
Slow disc read and level change, remote lacks number buttons for direct track access.
The Bottom Line:
This is a fine SACD and good CD changer, well worth the $142 paid. Four stars only because no experience with competing brand units.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Bought this SACD changer a few months ago, so now have good experience with it and a dozen classical and jazz SACD's. The SACD feature, with a SACD disc of course, in 2-channel mode, does seem to add some detail, naturalness and spaciousness compared to regular, "redbook" CD. Multichannel discs sound really good through my 4.1 setup(two fronts, two rears, sub). The Biggs Bach 4-organ SACD(Sony Classical)is truly spectacular!
Redbook Cd is at least as good, probably better, than my older Sony ES player. I must say, though, that a very well recorded CD, played through the optical out to Dolby Prologic II as in my Denon receiver, is nearly as good as the 2-channel SACD - but I'm still evaluating that.
The only negatives so far are very slow reading of each disc, and response to level changes, as between SACD and CD levels on a hybrid disc. Also, the supplied mini-remote lacks number buttons, so particular tracks can't be selected directly with it - but the player has this feature. I was able to select tracks directly with my old Sony CD player remote, and universal remotes can be programmed for this purpose.
For only $142 or so, this changer is an inexpensive way to try SACD - go for it!
