Can the EP35 play SACD?

[sea surfer]

Looking to buy this machine when released, can anyone confirm that it can play SACD?

[Nic Rhodes]

No SACD capability. I suspect we will see less and less of this (even Sony have cut it from the latest PS3).

[stevefish69]

I don't think so

I recently asked Toshiba whether we would be recieving SACD playback via a firmware update and had the following response. I specifically asked for theXE1 but i'd imagine this would be across the board of current machines.

Dear Steve

Thank you for your email

There are no plans for a Firmware upgrade to SACD for the XE1.

There will be new HD DVD players next year but we are unable to provide any details since specifications are confidential at this stage

Regards

Emma Martin

Toshiba Customer Support Centre


Looks like more players are in design though !!

[dazza74]

Am I right in thinking that it doesn't do DVD-Audio either?

[Nic Rhodes]

No DVD A either though the Panny Blu ray player does I think.

[charliecossie]

Panasonic Blu - DVD-A for sure.

Toshiba have never (to my knowledge) supported SACD.

[sea surfer]

Thank you, clears that up, probabbly need to buy a 60GIG PS3 as well then then

[Jeff]

With the noise the 60GB PS3 make you might as well stick to CD's.

[emthree]

Originally Posted by Jeff

With the noise the 60GB PS3 make you might as well stick to CD's.

The PS3 noise problem is over-rated (apologies to dazza:-)). If you are over 30, go for it! It is a pleasure to listen to sacd discs. I had always felt that CD format didn't do justice to classical music (I still listen to most of my classical music on vinyl) but SACD has made me into a convert; and it is thanks to PS3.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Jeff

With the noise the 60GB PS3 make you might as well stick to CD's.

I didn't notice it most of the time when I had a loan of one but you could have it in another room.

All the best
Bri

[SeedyR]

Where's the best place to pick up SACDs from these days? Had a quick look on ebay and nothing really caught my eye. Just want to buy one or two fairly cheap to see what they're like, but want something good!

[emthree]

Originally Posted by Craigy Boy

Where's the best place to pick up SACDs from these days? Had a quick look on ebay and nothing really caught my eye. Just want to buy one or two fairly cheap to see what they're like, but want something good!

Amazon is your friend. I find SA format to be a tad more expensive, so go for used ones! Here is a link. You may want to pick up the sampler, to get a taste.

http://amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_...0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

[SeedyR]

How big is the difference between SACD and standard CDs?

[emthree]

Originally Posted by Craigy Boy

How big is the difference between SACD and standard CDs?

For classical music, significant. You will hear the dynamic range and the fullness of volume that is missing from the ordinary CDs. It of course depends also on your amp and speakers but all being equal, SACD is a revelation! Sorry, can't comment on other kind of music.

[Nic Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Craigy Boy

How big is the difference between SACD and standard CDs?

It is all down to how the kit is engineered. CDs done well still substantially outperform SACD on the likes of the PS3, but doing it well usually costs ££££. SACD done well is very expensive. I wrote a long review on this years ago on this site reviewing a 'cheaper' Sony SACD player and the pitfalls, I think the conclusions are the same today. The numbers game rarely tells you how these devices will sound.