As a happy owner of an Sony SCD-1 cdp, I believe one would be hard-pressed to find a better cdp for redbook or sacd formats anywhere near this price range.
I would not hesitate to buy the SCD-1 again. But not necessarily because of it's SACD playback.
I am of the camp that ultimately, it is the quality of the recording that counts, regardless of format.
With that said, I would recommend shopping for the best redbook cdp for a given budget. And if the one found happened to play SACD, I'd consider that a freebie or benefit. But I would not consider it mandatory on my checklist.
-IMO
I would not hesitate to buy the SCD-1 again. But not necessarily because of it's SACD playback.
I am of the camp that ultimately, it is the quality of the recording that counts, regardless of format.
With that said, I would recommend shopping for the best redbook cdp for a given budget. And if the one found happened to play SACD, I'd consider that a freebie or benefit. But I would not consider it mandatory on my checklist.
-IMO