Thread: Concern with sacd disc players

Posts: 30
Page: prev 1 2 3

Post by Euell Neverno November 30, 2015 (21 of 30)
Kutyatest said:

I can't speak with any great experience, as the player that I own is the first hi-res player that I've ever owned. I bought my Arcam DV137 brand new nine years ago in November 2006, and it plays all discs perfectly well - same as the day I bought it. That's both hybrid SACDs and DVD-As, DTS-CDs, DVD-Vs and the humble audio CD. It is not very often that my Arcam DV137 gets a day off, and I'm overjoyed with it. So much so, that if Arcam were to release another true-universal disc player, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

I dug deep into my pockets in November 2006 - or at least that's how it felt at the time - but I don't think I could expect any more from a player.

If my DV137 were to pack up, I'd probably get Arcam to repair it - or give consideration to the Cambridge Audio CXU universal disc player - that's another story though.

Ditto Arcam FMJ CD 37. Is played almost every day since acquisition in May of 2010.

Post by Disbeliever December 1, 2015 (22 of 30)
You have been extremely lucky with your Arcam player as for Cambridge I would not buy either brand. A London Hi-Fi shop I visit regularly has two Arcam SACD players that have failed. shop owner has not even bothered to send them back for repair, apart from the fact that manager says no one ever asks for SACD players.

Post by stahlhelm December 1, 2015 (23 of 30)

Post by Kal Rubinson December 1, 2015 (24 of 30)
stahlhelm said:

Look, another example from today:
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/universal-players-that-dont-read-the-sacd-layer.482893/

Acknowledged. No product is perfect and users with bad experiences are much more likely to make noise. However, all of this, including our personal experiences, is anecdotal and I do not know of any statistical information to support a conclusive statement.

Post by Kutyatest December 1, 2015 (25 of 30)
If my 9 year old Arcam DV137 were to start malfunctioning/pack up, I'd naturally be very disappointed. However, bearing in mind that it's used almost daily, I don't think I could point the finger at Arcam and accuse them of making a poor quality product.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but both of the players shown in that link appear to be from 2005 - or at least I've located online reviews from mid-2005.

The author of the forum article has not mentioned how old the players are/how long they've been used. Of course, this doesn't mean that they're not disappointed - but no player lasts forever without going wrong at some point.

Post by stvnharr December 1, 2015 (26 of 30)
stahlhelm said:

Look, another example from today:
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/universal-players-that-dont-read-the-sacd-layer.482893/

Well, then don't consider those players.
You only need one player that works. Why don't you try finding something positive and look at the players people here have mentioned at being good and reliable.
FWIW, Marantz developed their own transport due to the unreliablility of the transports that they previously had been using. That's why I suggested those players to you.

Post by Fitzcaraldo215 December 1, 2015 (27 of 30)
stahlhelm said:

Hi all,

...

It is only a question of time when the laser weakens ...

...

Another fact is that for compatibility reasons almost all sacd discs are hybrid we know the story.

As to your first comment I have singled out, it s only a matter of time before we all weaken. Nothing is forever.

I do not understand your other comment, above. Yes, SACD players invariably also play CDs and they also play the hybrid CD layer of SACDs. So what? They just use a different laser in the same assembly for that. That does not compromise SACD playback in any way.

Here is another anecdote for you. I have 6 close friends who all play SACDs regularity. All have been heavily using Oppo Universal players that are now about 3-8 years old for SACD, CD, Blu-Ray and DVD. None of them have failed for any reason.

As Kal suggests, you are in your mind greatly exaggerating rumors and isolated anecdotes. It is a mental barrier you have created that prevents you from enjoying recordings at their best. If the problems were anywhere as bad and specific to SACD laser mechanisms as you suggest, you would be hearing much much more about the problem in every online forum all over the web, starting with this one. Isolated examples of this or that player brand failing prove nothing. I personally have had no player failures, but I have had occasional failures of much more expensive electronics from some very prestigious brands. Stuff happens on occasion.

Post by Euell Neverno December 1, 2015 (28 of 30)
Disbeliever said:

You have been extremely lucky with your Arcam player as for Cambridge I would not buy either brand. A London Hi-Fi shop I visit regularly has two Arcam SACD players that have failed. shop owner has not even bothered to send them back for repair, apart from the fact that manager says no one ever asks for SACD players.

Interesting to know, but your dealer's experience relates to a newer model that, if price is an indicator, is not built to the same standard.

Post by rammiepie December 1, 2015 (29 of 30)
As Fitz so cavalierly stated: NOTHING is FOREVER!

My older Oppo-NuForce modified player no longer plays the multichannel layer of SACDs so I upgraded to an OPPO BDP~105 which is actually significantly better.

And OT, but relevant: I just spent a small fortune (literally) on repairing my Meridian 800 DVD~A player and by replacing the 'ancient' power supply and circuit boards with a new, MUCH improved linear power supply, it works better than EVER!

As we live in a world of planned obsolescence, I no longer purchase automobiles.....I lease them.

Wish we could lease audio equipment (I'm sure we can....but that's another story) because of rapidly emerging technology.

And my two Marantz Stereo, only, SACD players (SA 11S2 and S3), still work as well as the day I put them in the system. They're built like TANKS and have NEVER ever given me so much as a hiccup!

Post by Kutyatest December 1, 2015 (30 of 30)
stahlhelm said:

Hi all,

I have a bad feeling towards sacd disc players. I dug up the web and I found tons of info that after a certain use all players will refuse to read the sacd layer of a hybrid disc. No matter what manufacturer, what laser, what transport. It is only a question of time when the laser weakens and can't catch up the layer what we buy the discs for. I also own a player which surrendered and laser is not available any more. Another fact is that for compatibility reasons almost all sacd discs are hybrid we know the story.
Don't misunderstand me I like the physical format. I would not go to PC listening if I could avoid. But at the moment I am afraid of investing a pile of money into a player which will die in three years of time. Second-hand players are risky.
What are you thoughts? How do you see the situation? Please share you opinion any inputs are welcome.

Regards

Hopefully you're beginning to get a feel for our input. I suppose you'd have to ask yourself, how's my Pioneer PD-30 doing? How long have you had it - how happy are you with it? When I first started looking into buying a hi-res player back in 2006, I dug up what seemed a load of negative posts - if I remember correctly. The Arcam DV137 had been introduced onto the market easily a year before I bought it in November 2006 - but what convinced me was the positive feedback, and the fact that members of Arcam were also posting on the forum. That was for me impressive. In fact, although I was disappointed with the dealer I bought the player (and amplifier) from, I have nothing but praise for Arcam customer support.

My player went onto the market with an RRP of GBP 1250. Arcam supposedly offer a repair service for GBP 250 - which seems a good deal to me.

Page: prev 1 2 3

Closed