Is the PS3 a good sacd player?

zephro · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

I've debated buying a Denon DVD 1940CI or a Denon DVD-758, hooking it up through the 5.1 analog connectors and having that be my dedicated SACD player, but if the PS3 has similar performance with SACDs I won't waste the money.

Any thoughts?

The Seventh Taylor · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 401

I think the SACD audio output quality of PS3 is excellent, and the only downside compared to other 'dedicated' SACD players is the HDD/fan noise. If you can live with that -- like I can -- then I would keep the money in your pocket (or rather spend it on SACDs :-)

zephro · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

Brandon B · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 392

My PS3 is both a better SACD player and a better redbook CD player than my older Sony deck, an scd-c555es.

I have mine feeding an Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P preamp through HDMI. Use it for mch and 2 ch on SACD. The PS3 converts DSD to PCM, so I am not using the DSD conversion of the Onkyo. I tend to engage the "direct" mode, which on my preamp eliminates all the processing other than channel equalization and the DAC step. There is a noticeable difference to me if I engage bass management or any of the other processing.

BB

zephro · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

Brandon B · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 392

The PS3 seems to often send 2 ch as mch PCM with just no data on the other 4 signal channels.

So when I play 2ch SACD, it does show as coming through as 5.1, but the direct mode I engage when listening to music leaves everything where it is, no bass management or anything (my mains have dedicated separate woofers that are flat down to 25Hz, with output below that, so they are effectively full range in-room). So it does not matter in my case.

I am at work as of now. Sometime this weekend i'll note my settings and post them.

zephro · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

Brandon B · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 392

Why do you view it as a problem for it to send unused channels of data?

zephro · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

bdole · Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Raleigh, NC

I've noticed that recently a few batches of SACD-capable PS3's are popping up briefly at the original retail price of $499. This is the first this model has been available new through authorized channels in many months.

Sears had the MGS4 80GB bundle last week, and it says they're temporarily out of stock:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05896004000P?sid=I0084400010000100383&aff=Y

Amazon has the same bundle in stock as I write this post:
http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Metal-Gear-Solid-Pack-3/dp/B0014WJ78E/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?tag=pc02-20

On the flip side, Dell has been flirting with $300 for the non-SACD PS3 via its occasional sales. That unit could be combined with the Oppo SACD/DVD player for $169 and the PS2 (for playing older games) for $99.

ken_wilsonii · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 23

I own a 60gb model and the only thing I notice is that is seems a little bass heavy.

I plan to run a comparison to the new Oppo Blu-ray/sacd player when I get one and will post what I hear.

This Oppo will my first time at hearing DSD direct rather than a lower sound frequency range on my setup.

FunkyMonkey · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 77

If you play a SACD on the PS3, even if it is the 2-channel layer, it will show up on your receiver (when connected as HDMI obviously) as "multichannel". This is fine. It just means that the receiver is receiving a multi-channel PCM signal. There is no data being transmitted for the the non-stereo channels.

The PS3 can output as 176.4kHz, but I use 88.2kHz so that I can engage Audyssey on my Onkyo 805 receiver.

Brandon B · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 392

Do you feel the sound is as clean with Audyssey engaged?

I have the 885 prepro and pretty much go direct or pure when playing SACDs, as I find any processing seems to drop the quality just a click.

But my speaker layout is pretty nice and symmetrical, so Audyssey doesn't really get me much of anything for SACD.

FunkyMonkey · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 77

I prefer Audyssey. You have to set it up properly though to get its full benefit.

Please see this for some musings on the subject...

http://www.sa-cd.net/showthread/40245//y?page=first

Brandon B · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 392

I think that thread underscores the difference. My speakers are all pretty identical in timbre (magnepans). And they are laid out very (to less than an inch) symmetrically in the room.

The only significant variation is in their power handling and low end extension. I have my fronts actively crossed with a pair of big woofer cabinets (not my sub, that's a whole other unit), so they are good in room down to almost 20. So the Audyssey correction isn't doing much for me in correcting for placement, and I guess I just don't prefer what is does tonally.

In theory, if the sound engineers are mixing the multichannel mix with full range speakers all around in mind, I am probably missing a bunch of sound in the low end from the surrounds, but it really doesn't seem that way when I compare. So I am guessing a lot of them may mix for use with a sub anyway.

I am on a slow path of putting a second 5ch music only system together in another room, as I find the Magnepans a little too analytical to enjoy anything not orchestra-based, so it will be interesting to compare that once I am done.