Super Audio CD-compatible Blu-ray Disc players

Here is, in random order, an overview of available and announced 'universal disc players' that feature Blu-ray Disc as well as SACD playback. Most of them also support DVD-Audio.

Universal BD player; as UD-8004 with copper-plated chassis, internal REF design, SA-7 audio circuit, balanced outputs (XLR analog out), vertical stretch, toroidal transformer, dual HDMI outputs, Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processor and 297 MHz/14-bit video DAC

Available from August 2009. See news.

Discontinued as of November 2011.

¥577,500 / USD 5,999 (about EUR 4,300)

Universal Blu-ray/DVD-Video/DVD-Audio/SACD/CD player with M1 design chassis, center mount drawer, profile 2.0, discrete commands, flasher input, internal decoding, 7.1 analog outputs, RS323C and proprietary HDAMs. 297 MhZ/12-bit video DAC. No DSD output via HDMI; alleged to downconvert DSD to 44.1 kHz PCM for HDMI output (unconfirmed)

Available from October 2009. See news.

Supported disc formats: BD Video, Blu-ray 3D, BD-Live/Bonusview, BD-R/RE, SACD, CD-DA, CD-R/RW, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, DVD±R/RW, AVCHD, AVCREC. Media formats supported (for playback from USB): MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, MPEG, WMV, AVI, DivX PLUS HD; PNG and JPEG still images.

Features balanced XLR outputs; playback of WAV/FLAC files of up to 24bit/192kHz; double HDMI outputs for separate audio and video; Pure Direct mode; 'Marantz Remote' app for iOS and Android; supports DLNA Digital Media Player (DMP) v1.5 and DTCP-IP.

Available from late 2012; see news

Universal BD/DVD-Audio/DVD-Video/SACD/CD player; similar to UD-5005 with Anchor Bay ABT2015 10-bit video processing; 12-bit Analog Devices video DAC

Available in black and silver from August 2010. See news

Successor to UD-5005.

Available in black (and silver in some regions, notably Europe) from July 2012; see news

Marantz 'budget' universal disc player (BD/DVD-A/DVD-V/SACD/CD)

3D-ready thanks to HDMI 1.4a; DNLA 1.5 support; USB  input; stereo output option with multichannel downmix; ELNA capacitors in output stage; DSD output on HDMI

Available in black and silver from July 2010

The set will support BD-ROM (BD-Video and BDMV), BD-R/RE, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-R/RW, SA-CD, CD, CD-R/RW. There's no mention of VCD or SVCD (but who wants to play such low-resolution formats in this HD age?) nor of DVD+R/RW (though there's a good chance those will play anyway).

Furthermore there's support for DivX6, WMA, MP3 and JPEG. The set also features an SD/SDHC slot. Of course it has HDMI output but it's not clear whether DSD streaming is provided on it or only via the proprietary 'Denon Link'. BD-Live (profile 2.0) is promised as an upgrade. Until then you'll have to make do with BonusView (profile 1.1).

Available in black and silver from January 2009.

Introduction: November 2010; see news.

Specs to follow

(US typenumer: Denon DBP-4010UDCI)

Somewhat more affordable universal player from Denon which also plays BD 2.0, SACD and DVD-Audio. Features Denon Link for DSD output, but according to the manual only low-resolution PCM output via HDMI in case of SACD playback.

Available in silver (Japan) and black

¥252,000 / USD 1,999 SRP*

(US typenumber: Denon DBP-2011UDCI)

Announced for: August 2010

Specs to follow

Announced for : June 2010

Specs to follow

US typenumber: Denon DBP-2012UDCI; new typenumber for delayed DBP-2011UD(CI). Universal BD-Live/DVD-Video/DVD-Audio/SACD/CD player with YouTube support, file streaming from PC/NAS; HDMI v1.4, Deep Color, "x.v.Color", High-Bit-Rate Audio output; front USB; Direct Mechanical Ground Construction; Independent Block Construction; 32-bit/192kHz audio DAC; 7.1ch and dedicated 2ch analog output; Pure direct mode; 3D digital noise reduction; Glo-key remote; Remote I/O; Remote lock mode; RS-232; Available in silver and black.

Scheduled to ship: January 2011; see news

Features dual HDMI outputs, Denon Link HD, ethernet network port, RS-232C control port, mini-jacks for Remote Control loopthrough and analog stereo outputs for Multi-Zone use on the rear panel plus a front USB input. Plays same formats as DBT-1713UD below. Available in black worldwide and also in silver in Europe.

Released in 2012; see news

Plays Blu-ray Disc, BD Live, BD 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, AVCHD, DivX HD; streams video from Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, YouTube; DLNA-compliant; controllable with remote app from iOS and Android devices, when used in conjunction with compatible AVR (also released in 2012)

Supports Blu-ray Disc, BD-Live, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, AVCHD, DivX HD, Netflix, Blockbuster on Demand, FilmFresh, YouTube Leanback; RS-323, dual USB port; DLNA client; iPhone App control. See news.

Release: July 2011

Similar to BD-S1067. Direct access to Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube. USB ports on back and front.

Release late 2010; see news

Plays BD, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, DivX HD Plus; Audio Pure Direct function; DLNA client. Available in black or silver.

Release: October 2010; see news

Specs to follow. Reported to play SACD ISO images burnt to DVD flawlessly.

Available in North America from autumn 2011; see news

Specs to follow.

Available in North America from autumn 2011; see news

As BDP-440 plus dual gold-plated HDMI ports, anti-vibration construction design; special acoustic capacitors and high performance power supply; 32-bit / 192 kHz and DSD-capable DAC.

Available in Europe from November 2011; see news

Features Pioneer's PQLS (Precision Quartz Lock System) to eliminate jitter in digital transfer.

Available in Japan and Europe from October 2012; see news

As BDP-140 plus DVD-Audio and FLAC playback.

Available in Europe from October 2011; see news

Plays Blu-ray 3D, BD-Live, DVD-Video, SACD, CD, MKV, DivX Plus HD, WMV, WMA and MP3 ; PQLS on HDMI; DLNA-certified; SACD output on HDMI as DSD or high-resolution PCM; controllable with free iControl AV2 app; Sound Retriever Link and Stream Smoother Link to enhance compressed audio/video files when used with matching AV Receivers SC-LX85 or SC-LX75.

Available in Europe from September 2011 (see news); in North America from autumn 2011 (see news)

Based on the same main PCB as the Oppo BDP-83 with custom electronics around it (explained here).

See news

Based on same MediaTek platform as Oppo's and Cambridge Audio's. Connections: analog multichannel and stereo out, XLR balaced outputs, optical and coaxial digital out, YCbCr component video, 2x HDMI, USB, e-SATA, RS-232C and LAN (ethernet port)

Also available in black.

Announced as reference quality universal disc transport.

Likely shares components with Oppo BDP-83, including VRS by Anchor Bay. HDMI 1.3 port provides 36-bit and 30-bit Deep Color video output as well as DSD and LPCM audio output. Also features RS-232 port for custom home theater integration.

Announced as the first THX-certified Blu-ray Disc player. Plays BD (with BonusView and BD-Live), DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, CD, etc.

Features an RS-232 port for home control systems.

Launch September 2009 at CEDIA.

Universal BD player. Features include: five Wolfson WM8740 24/192kHz DACs, Marvell QDEO video processing, Anagram Technologies upsampling to 192kHz, 7.1-channel and dedicated stereo analog outputs, two HDMI outputs

Available from Spring 2011; see news

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany

Same specs as the Oppo BDP-80, based on the same MediaTek platform. Features on-board Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

Available per November 2009; see news

USD 699 SRP*

EUR 799

Audiophile version of BDP-103; same features plus: Fanless design (unlike its predecessor, the BDP-95); Headphone Amplifier; Optical, Digital Coaxial and asynchronous USB DAC; Properly oriented XLR outputs

Available from December 2012; see news

Successor to BDP-93; same features plus: Latest generation QDEO video processor; 4K upscaling; 2x2 HDMI: two inputs, two outputs; front HDMI input supports HML (High-Definition Mobile Link); Gracenote look-up; Backlit Eject buttons.

Available from November 2012; see news

Audiophile version of BDP-93. Same features plus ES9018 SABRE32 Reference Audio DAC, dedicated stereo audio outputs (RCA and XLR) and toroidal power supply.

Available from February 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

Same features as BDP-83 plus Blu-ray 3D playback, CinemaNow and Netflix streaming support, Wireless-N networking, dual HDMI outputs, dual USB ports, eSATA port, Marvell KYOTO G2 chipset with Qdeo video processing.

Announced Autumn 2010. See news

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

Another 'universal player' in the Oppo tradition. Plays Blu-ray Disc, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, HDCD, etc.

Features USB ports, 7.1-Channel Analog Output, BD-Live, Bonus View and DVD Upconversion to 1080p.

The Oppo BPD-83 'Special Edition' has anhanced analog audio processing, relevant for those who like to use it for playback of SACD and/or DVD-Audio via analog outputs rather than via HDMI with offboard processing. The upgrade includes a new analog audio stage power based on the ESS Sabre32 Ultra and Premier DACs and an improved power supply. The Special Edition also includes the RS-232 remote control port, which is optional for the regular BDP-83.

Cost-down version of the BDP-83. Almost all of the same features as BDP-80 such as SACD, DVD-Audio, HDCD, BD-Live, USB, DSD output via HDMI etc. except: no DVD 24p conversion; no dedicated analog stereo output (shared with the 7.1ch out); analog SACD output is converted from PCM rather than DSD direct; no IR I/O; no RS-323 control port; a glow-in-the-dark remote instead of a back-lit one.

Claimed to play SACD. This might be an error e.g. playback of (the CD layer of) hybrid SACDs may be meant.

Should have shipped in March 2008 but the company's product page has not yet been updated since.

Features include Qdeo video processing; video upscaling to 'Quad Full HD' i.e. 4K; DivX Plus HD; BD-3D; Philips 'Smart TV Plus' online video services; Philips 'SimplyShare' streaming connectivity; TI Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz DACs; separate linear power supply with toroidal transformer.

Available from autumn 2012 (see news)

Release 2012. See news. Details to follow.

As BDP-S580 with Skype embedded; 2D-to-3D upconversion; Precision Cinema HD Upscaling, Super Bit Mapping, Smoothing, and Chroma Processing technologies

Release April 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

As BDP-S480 with built in Wi-Fi (802.11n with WPS) and IP Content Noise Reduction

Release March 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

As BDP-S380 with BD-3D playback; DNLA Client for photo, music, and video playback; HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speaker compatible

Release March 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

Blu-ray Disc Player with Full HD 1080p playback, DVD-Video, SACD and CD playback; WiFi-ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately); BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE functionality; Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology; Photo, music, and video playback via front USB; "Media Remote" (iPhone/iPod touch/Android BD Remote Control application)

Release February 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

As BDV-E880 with Built-in Wi-Fi; comes with 4 tallboy speakers; wireless rear speakers

Release 2011. See news.

Home Cinema system with Blu-ray 3D and SACD playback. Streams video and music from the Internet, a PC or iPod or iPhone. Comes with 2 tallboy speakers.

Release 2011. See news.

As BDV-E580 with wireless rear speakers, 2-way front speakers; universal remote; IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling; DLNA client; front USB input; compatible with Sony HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speakers

Release May 2011. See news.

As BDV-E280 with integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n with WPS); Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology; USB and DNLA Client and photo, music, and video playback; HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speaker compatible; "Media Remote" (iPhone/iPod touch/Android BD Remote Control application)

Release March 2011. See news.

Specs as BDV-E280, with auto speaker calibration. More details to follow.

Release March 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

1000 watt, 5.1 channel home theater system Blu-ray 3D,DVD, SACD and CD playback; 2 HDMI inputs; WiFi-ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately); BRAVIA Internet Video; iPhone/iPod touch dock included

Release April 2011. See news.

Buy it on Amazon UK / Germany / France

Single-disc BD, DVD, SA-CD, CD player; as BDP-S770 plus BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony's Qriocity; IR input jack on rear panel for easy control system integration

Release August 2010 in North America. See news.

Single-disc BD, DVD, SA-CD, CD player; as BDP-S570 plus Blu-ray 3D playback

Release Summer 2010. See news.

Single-disc BD, DVD, SA-CD, CD player; as BDP-S470 plus IP Content Noise Reduction; Built-in Wi-Fi Wireless (802.11); not BD3D-ready

Release Spring 2010. See news.

Single-disc BD, DVD, SA-CD, CD player; as BDP-S370 plus Blu-ray 3D-ready

Release Spring 2010. See news.

Single-disc BD, DVD, SA-CD, CD player;BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE; Gracenote look-up; WiFi-ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately); DVD upscaling to 1080p; BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.); Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA; Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding. No DVD-Audio playback, of course.

Release Spring 2010. See news.

1000W Full HD 1080p BD, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system; as BDV-E570W with Blu-ray 3D playback.

Release Summer 2010 in North America. See news.

1000W Full HD 1080p BD, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system; as BDV-E570W with integrated S-AIR wireless rear speaker; WiFi-ready with included USB Wireless LAN adapter (802.11)

Release Spring 2010 in North America. See news.

1000W Full HD 1080p BD, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system with iPod audio playback via USB and same functionality as BDP-S370; S-AIR ready for wireless rear and wireless multi-room speakers (sold separately)

Release Spring 2010 in North America. See news.

Product details to follow.

Release June 2010 in Europe. See news.

Product details to follow.

Release March 2010 in Europe. See news.

Product details to follow.

Release March 2010 in Europe. See news.