Posts with tag "SACD player"

Japanese manufacturer Esoteric has expanded its premium Grandioso series with the introduction of the K1XE SACD player and its accompanying PS1XE external power supply. The new model combines the high-precision VRDS-ATLAS optical disc transport with the latest Master Sound Discrete DAC G2, developed in-house by Esoteric engineers. Its design incorporates technologies typically found in high-end separate audio components, including independent power supply circuits and a fully discrete analog stage.

French brand YBA will present its new Design One SACD player at High End Vienna 2026. It is a compact battery-powered model designed not only for traditional Hi-Fi systems, but also for desktop and portable use. According to the company, the Design One is the first YBA device created specifically for the portable/desktop audio segment. The unit combines an SACD/CD transport, a digital-to-analogue converter and a headphone amplifier in a single chassis. The player measures 188 × 166 × 40 mm and weighs 1.34 kg.

The Japanese company Luxman has turned one hundred years old. To mark the occasion, the firm has introduced two new flagship models created as a modern reference pair, combining a century of analog and digital engineering experience. The new Luxman D-100c (SA)CD player and Luxman L-100c integrated amplifier form the foundation of the Luxman 100 Centennial Series, which celebrates the brand’s origins in 1925 while also reaffirming its long-standing pursuit of perfection rather than a chase for novelty.

Japanese company Accuphase has expanded its lineup of high-end digital sources by introducing the Accuphase DP-570S SACD/CD player. In addition to playing optical discs, the new model is equipped with digital inputs, including a USB-B port, allowing the built-in DAC to be used with other sources. There are also digital outputs, enabling the player’s transport to be used with external DACs.

The compact disc has retained its place in the sun - sales of disc media are quite stable, new CD players are released with enviable regularity. In general, we can state that even high-resolution music streaming has not “killed” the compact disc - the sound quality of discs on good equipment turns out to be extraordinary, and the accumulated collections allow us to look to the future with confidence. The editors have compiled a rating of the most impressive new High End players that are worth paying attention to in early 2025.