SACD players - help!

Steve_2000 · 12-05-2008, 15:54

I have just purchased a Panasonic home cinema system and (finally) followed this up with a Sony SACD player. I was always told that SACD will be fine with a home cinema system, but what a minefield it actually created!

Basically the two aren't compatible; I need an SACD compatible amp and multi channel speakers but it isn't that straightforward as my local Sony Centre were at a loss to find anything suitable for me (not helped by the fact that SACD did not really catch on and there is little out there to support it nowadays). Therefore unfortunately I had to return my dormant SACD player and keep my home cinema system.

However, I'm simply not giving up! Is there anything out there (any manufacturer) who supplies SACD systems in 5.1 multi channel either via or separate from a home cinema system? I have several Super Audio CDs going spare and I need to play them!

I'll see you on the dark side of the moon, hopefully!

Casca · 12-05-2008, 16:20

Yup! It's a bummer. SACD is an analogue system that only works by shoving your 5.1 phonos into the 5.1 sockets of your amp. Great sound, but here's a format that Sony got REALLY wrong! It's dead on its a*se! I've got it, but haven't connected it since I got my new HD set-up...

atvmidlands · 12-05-2008, 21:55

Apparently the deleted 60Gb PS3 played SACD in 5.1 via the HDMI output.

alfablue · 13-05-2008, 09:34

I have a Pioneer DVD player that also plays SACD's and DVD-Audio discs. For SACD the player plugged in to the analogue 5.1 inputs on my home cinema amp. This option didn't really cost me much more (small premium on the DVD player model, some leads) as I had the amp / speaker setup anyway.

There are few titles, but IMHO it is worth it for Dark Side of the Moon alone. You could get a cheap home cinema amp with the required inputs fairly cheaply (maybe try Richer Sounds) to resurrect your system.

I have found some titles a lot more effective than others, and it seems to depend on the mix, for example DSOTM is brill, but Miles Davis Kind of Blue is weird with the listener placed in the middle of this type of music.

As for DVD-Audio, R.E.M.'s Automatic is great.

grumsta · 13-05-2008, 10:10

I've had similar issues, and am holding onto my Yamaha amp (with 6 x analogue inputs) and my Sony DVD player which supports SACD until Dark Side is released on DVD-A.

The best DVD-A I've found so far are the Doors remasters in DD5.1 and DTS. Awesome!

SACD has gone the way of the 8-track tape, not even Sony are supporting in now on the new PS3 models.

soulboy77 · 13-05-2008, 12:43

I've noticed that Sony seem to be quietly dropping SACD support. It seems they will only have it on their high end systems in the future.

atvmidlands · 13-05-2008, 22:56

My Pioneer dvd player with DVDA and SACD playback went tits up last year but I only have 2 SACD so I cant justify spending too much to get the 5.1 sound back.

Luckily they are dual layer cd/sacd combos

PGS · 14-05-2008, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_2000

I have just purchased a Panasonic home cinema system and (finally) followed this up with a Sony SACD player. I was always told that SACD will be fine with a home cinema system, but what a minefield it actually created!

Basically the two aren't compatible; I need an SACD compatible amp and multi channel speakers but it isn't that straightforward as my local Sony Centre were at a loss to find anything suitable for me (not helped by the fact that SACD did not really catch on and there is little out there to support it nowadays). Therefore unfortunately I had to return my dormant SACD player and keep my home cinema system.

However, I'm simply not giving up! Is there anything out there (any manufacturer) who supplies SACD systems in 5.1 multi channel either via or separate from a home cinema system? I have several Super Audio CDs going spare and I need to play them!

I'll see you on the dark side of the moon, hopefully!

Both Pioneer and Denon make universal players i.e. they will play both SACD's and DVD Audio, I have a Denon 1930. They also do 'all in one systems' which will play both. However if u want to keep your Panasonic home cinema system (I assume its only a 2.1 channel system, 2 speakers and a subwoofer, not a full 5.1, 6 speaker set up) and if it does not have a 6 channel input then u are not going to get surround sound from any SACD/DVDA player. But most SACD's and players have a 2 channel stereo option as well so u need only a standard white and red phono input on your Panny, which it should have, so u can get the higher quality SACD sound but only in stereo. The only downside is that DSOTM sound awesome in surround!

I'd go the seperates route, Denon 1940 universal player plus a Denon/Yamaha/Pioneer/Onkyo/Sony receiver whichever you fancy. All current models have a 6 channel input. Prices start from just over £200. What HiFi reckon the entry level Onkyo at £250 is a belter. You will need a set of 5.1 speakers as well though but its the only way to go for 'proper surround sound'

TallDave · 15-05-2008, 10:19

I've also gone the Denon 1940 route, with 6 channel analogue SACD output to my Denon Receiver. But you have to grapple with the menus, because its factory default is 2 channel output from SACD. IIRC, the 1940 doesn't put SACD on its HDMI output, which is a real shame.

Steve_2000 · 15-05-2008, 11:22

Thanks for the advice everyone. My Panny home cinema system is 5.1 (6 speaker setup) so hopefully this should prove to be less of a pain to cope with when drafting in various separates. I'll look into the Denon option then and see what weird and wonderful routes that takes me on.

12-05-2008, 15:54	#1
Steve_2000 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 84	SACD players - help! I have just purchased a Panasonic home cinema system and (finally) followed this up with a Sony SACD player. I was always told that SACD will be fine with a home cinema system, but what a minefield it actually created! Basically the two aren't compatible; I need an SACD compatible amp and multi channel speakers but it isn't that straightforward as my local Sony Centre were at a loss to find anything suitable for me (not helped by the fact that SACD did not really catch on and there is little out there to support it nowadays). Therefore unfortunately I had to return my dormant SACD player and keep my home cinema system. However, I'm simply not giving up! Is there anything out there (any manufacturer) who supplies SACD systems in 5.1 multi channel either via or separate from a home cinema system? I have several Super Audio CDs going spare and I need to play them! I'll see you on the dark side of the moon, hopefully!

12-05-2008, 16:20	#2
Casca Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	Yup! It's a bummer. SACD is an analogue system that only works by shoving your 5.1 phonos into the 5.1 sockets of your amp. Great sound, but here's a format that Sony got REALLY wrong! It's dead on its a*se! I've got it, but haven't connected it since I got my new HD set-up...

12-05-2008, 21:55	#3
atvmidlands Banned User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 1,274	Apparently the deleted 60Gb PS3 played SACD in 5.1 via the HDMI output.

13-05-2008, 09:34	#4
alfablue Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 133	I have a Pioneer DVD player that also plays SACD's and DVD-Audio discs. For SACD the player plugged in to the analogue 5.1 inputs on my home cinema amp. This option didn't really cost me much more (small premium on the DVD player model, some leads) as I had the amp / speaker setup anyway. There are few titles, but IMHO it is worth it for Dark Side of the Moon alone. You could get a cheap home cinema amp with the required inputs fairly cheaply (maybe try Richer Sounds) to resurrect your system. I have found some titles a lot more effective than others, and it seems to depend on the mix, for example DSOTM is brill, but Miles Davis Kind of Blue is weird with the listener placed in the middle of this type of music. As for DVD-Audio, R.E.M.'s Automatic is great.

13-05-2008, 10:10	#5
grumsta Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hinckley, Leics, UK Posts: 252	I've had similar issues, and am holding onto my Yamaha amp (with 6 x analogue inputs) and my Sony DVD player which supports SACD until Dark Side is released on DVD-A. The best DVD-A I've found so far are the Doors remasters in DD5.1 and DTS. Awesome! SACD has gone the way of the 8-track tape, not even Sony are supporting in now on the new PS3 models.

13-05-2008, 12:43	#6
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	I've noticed that Sony seem to be quietly dropping SACD support. It seems they will only have it on their high end systems in the future.

13-05-2008, 22:56	#7
atvmidlands Banned User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 1,274	My Pioneer dvd player with DVDA and SACD playback went tits up last year but I only have 2 SACD so I cant justify spending too much to get the 5.1 sound back. Luckily they are dual layer cd/sacd combos

14-05-2008, 19:12	#8
PGS Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Robin Hood Country Posts: 45	Quote: Originally Posted by Steve_2000 I have just purchased a Panasonic home cinema system and (finally) followed this up with a Sony SACD player. I was always told that SACD will be fine with a home cinema system, but what a minefield it actually created! Basically the two aren't compatible; I need an SACD compatible amp and multi channel speakers but it isn't that straightforward as my local Sony Centre were at a loss to find anything suitable for me (not helped by the fact that SACD did not really catch on and there is little out there to support it nowadays). Therefore unfortunately I had to return my dormant SACD player and keep my home cinema system. However, I'm simply not giving up! Is there anything out there (any manufacturer) who supplies SACD systems in 5.1 multi channel either via or separate from a home cinema system? I have several Super Audio CDs going spare and I need to play them! I'll see you on the dark side of the moon, hopefully! Both Pioneer and Denon make universal players i.e. they will play both SACD's and DVD Audio, I have a Denon 1930. They also do 'all in one systems' which will play both. However if u want to keep your Panasonic home cinema system (I assume its only a 2.1 channel system, 2 speakers and a subwoofer, not a full 5.1, 6 speaker set up) and if it does not have a 6 channel input then u are not going to get surround sound from any SACD/DVDA player. But most SACD's and players have a 2 channel stereo option as well so u need only a standard white and red phono input on your Panny, which it should have, so u can get the higher quality SACD sound but only in stereo. The only downside is that DSOTM sound awesome in surround! I'd go the seperates route, Denon 1940 universal player plus a Denon/Yamaha/Pioneer/Onkyo/Sony receiver whichever you fancy. All current models have a 6 channel input. Prices start from just over £200. What HiFi reckon the entry level Onkyo at £250 is a belter. You will need a set of 5.1 speakers as well though but its the only way to go for 'proper surround sound'

15-05-2008, 10:19	#9
TallDave Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Sussex, UK (Midhurst/CP) Posts: 585	I've also gone the Denon 1940 route, with 6 channel analogue SACD output to my Denon Receiver. But you have to grapple with the menus, because its factory default is 2 channel output from SACD. IIRC, the 1940 doesn't put SACD on its HDMI output, which is a real shame.

15-05-2008, 11:22	#10
Steve_2000 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 84	Thanks for the advice everyone. My Panny home cinema system is 5.1 (6 speaker setup) so hopefully this should prove to be less of a pain to cope with when drafting in various separates. I'll look into the Denon option then and see what weird and wonderful routes that takes me on.

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SACD players - help!