SACD choice poll.

[ESavinon]

Which sacd player would you consider?
A: 2 channel
B: 5 channel

[dorokusai]

Both. I would personally prefer it to be multi-channel capable, if at all possible.

[F1nut]

Many have both choices, although it seems that the more serious ones are 2 channel only with a couple of exceptions. Are you in the market?

[audiobliss]

I chose multi-channel because would like to have the capability to sit back every now and then and be in the middle of the music, but I would most definitely listen in stereo most of the time.

[ESavinon]

I'm looking for a new sacd/cd player.

I have my eye on a Marantz Reference Series SA-11S1 and the music hall maverick sacd player.They're both 2 channel.

I've noticed that the multichannel sacd players out there are dvd/sacd players while the 2 channel players are sacd/cd players only.

I want this sacd for my 2 channel sda 1.2tl/carver amazing platinum system.
I'm mostly interested in getting a really good redbook cd player along with a good sacd player but if i can find a unit that can excel at both and give me good multichannel sacd/dvd a in one package then i'd be a very happy with that. so far it's either one or the other.

[Tour2ma]

Both... since I have that choice, but if I did not, I'd take the 2-ch.

[cfrizz]

Both. I don't like having limits with my music.

[F1nut]

I have my eye on a Marantz Reference Series SA-11S1 and the music hall maverick sacd player.They're both 2 channel.

There's a big price difference between those two. Are you looking for new or used?

BTW, I'm firmly in the 2 channel camp.

[TroyD]

BTW, I'm firmly in the 2 channel camp.

Well THERE is a revelation. ;)

BDT

[Shizelbs]

2 channel. Surround is a nice novelty, but it needs to revolve around the front two.

[danger boy]

i vote for multi channel. there is plenty of 2 channel media out there to listen to. give us more multi-channel music.

I"m dissapointed in those SACD's that are 2 channel only. It really should have both on one disc.

[schwarcw]

Both. Some SACD is unlistenable in multi channel. When the multi channel is mixed right, not too aggressive in the rear channels, it's wonderful.

I use a universal player and DVD-A is also available. I can't hear the difference in sound quality between SACD and DVD-A. DVD-A can be a headache to start because of the menu driven playback, but there are albums on DVD-A that aren't available on SACD. Eagles Hotel California, Natalie Merchant's Tiger Lily, Fleetwood Mac Rumours, Donald Fagan's Night Fly , Kamikiad and a number of others.

I found that my 5.1 channel levels need to be different than the standard HT setup. I set the rear channel levels way back, and the center channel a little lower. This seems to blend a little better with the front channels. I like the rear channels to be a little more ambient. A lot of SACDs are mixed to be more ambient in the rear channels. Norah Jones, Miles Davis and others are more ambient. A lot of the Sony classics that have been remastered into SACD are only two channel.

[Zen Dragon]

It is nice to have the option to switch to multi. If the recording is done well it gives you the perspective of sitting in the center of a circular stage.
I've got the Steely Dan Gaucho SACD, and love Babylon Sister in multi-channel.

[schwarcw]

I thin Gaucho is the only Steely Dan in SACD. I have it and love the album. As you mentioned Babalon Sisters, Hey Nineteen and Gaucho is great stuff!:D Steely Dan's recording are used for critical listening courses for aspiring audio engineers. My son had this course when studying audi recording engineering down in Nashville. Steely Dan was one of the Professor's favorite genre to assign student listening tasks and then write about what they heard (techniques, instruments, overdubbing, plug ins, etc. Fagan and Brecker's attention to the recording technique and mix was not only unique among many artists, but was ingenious in structure. Listen to it carefully in multi channel. It was recorded in two channel with multi channel in mind. They were definitely in The New Frontier;)

[ESavinon]

I'm planning on buying new. I'm leaning towards the marantz as of now.
The phillips DVD963SA sacd player i have is a multichannel sacd with an upsampling cd player.
I'm going to downsize. Currently i have 3 audio systems ( 2-2 channel audio and 1- 5.1 ht system).
I'm eliminating 1- 2 channel system and upgrading the rest.

[ESavinon]

I'm also upgrading my amplifiers. I'll be triamping my 2 channel system for use with my 1.2 tls and carver amazings.
I'm planning on getting 2 parasound halo jc-1 along with a halo a21.

[billbillw]

Well, I have both. I have a multichannel (Denon DVD-2900) in my living room/HT system and I have a two channel (Sony SCD-C333ES) in my "not so budget anymore" 2-ch system.
Gotta say that the Sony sounds a hellofalot better than the Denon by my ears.

[F1nut]

Not having heard either of your choices about all I can say is the Marantz is built like a brick sh*t house and their other SACD players get good reviews. Then again, I've heard from some fellas with the MH that they love it. Are demos possible?

[wingnut4772]

I guess both although I don't know how much longer SACD's will really hold out.

[ESavinon]

I'll be making the rounds at the hi fi shops soon auditioning a few marantz sacd players along with other brands(denon,music hall,arcam,cary,etc). I'll post my findings soon.

[schwarcw]

We look forward to your preview feedback. Alot of us are interested in your opinions.

Carl

[Danny Tse]

Both....if I have the money and room for such a setup. For now, just 2 channel.

[reeltrouble1]

Check out the Cary CD-306 sacd, a great player. You need both players. You can get a 2ch sacd with discreet circuity for Redbook playing, of course Redbook will sound great, but SACD even better. It seems SACD/CD has cornered the market on the Hi-Fi gear. That is why its going to be here, albiet the media may cost more.

That said I would also pick up one of the universal players the Denon 2900 fits well into rack without a monitor, I also have a Pioneer Elite player which sounds as good but seems to work better with a monitor to naviagate the menu. Heard a Marantz at the last fest, nice piece, about the same as the Denon and Pioneer to my ears, but different racks so not a good comparison I suppose.

I have not listened to a multi-channel disc in over a year so I guess I am 2ch.

Happy Hunting.

[carvin77]

I chose multi-channel!