Marantz released the SA-11S2 Reference Series, 2nd generation of SA-CD player updated with many of the components and features of the SA-7S1, this new disc spinner retails for $3499.99 instead of $1999.99 for the old player, but I think the price is a bit overpriced for a SACD player...

The Marantz SA-11S2 is equipped with a SACDM-1 mechanism module which supports SACDs, audio CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs playback. The circuitry was engineered to reduce the signal path in the purpose of removing all interferences and to keep the sound as neutral as possible by using high-quality components. The cabinet is made up from extruded aluminium (10mm thick) for vibration-free build without any visible screws, the front panel includes a slightly blue illuminated front and noiseless LCD display.

The Halcro Logic EC800 is a versatile disc player that can playback almost any non-HD media. This player can accept CDs, SACDs, and DVDs which can be encoded in MP3, WMA, JPEG, or MPEG 1/2/4 formats. In addition, the EC800 video processor can upscale video to 720p and 1080i through its HDMI output.

The multimedia player also features Ethernet and RS232 connectivity along with external trigger control. The EC800 ensures quality playback of any media through its 12 bit/108MHz video processor and 24 bit/192KHz audio D/A converter. For those who want a single solution for all their disc playback needs the EC800 is available for around $4,000 in silver or in midnight black finish (EC800 MB) with a 2-year warranty.

The Magnat Music Center 1 combines the advantages of high-grade separate components in one compact unit. This comprises a tube pre-amplifier, a high-performance transistor power amp, a Super Audio CD player and an FM/AM tuner of the highest quality all within a single box.

Housed in robust aluminium enclosure with a 8mm thick front panel, the MC1 incorporates a Sanyo SACD drive with Burr-Brown DACs compatible with CD-Audio, SACD, SACD-Hybrid, CD-R and CD-RW and an FM/AM tuner. A symmetrically circuit board drives the signal path to a pair of ECC 88 double triode tube in the pre-amplifier that you see through the porthole on the front panel. Also the power amp is equipped with high-quality Sanken transistors, they produce a dynamic output of 160W under 4ohm or 160W under 8ohm.

The Magnat Music Center 1 costs about 1,000€ and it comes with an exclusive metal remote control.

After the Antila CD player, Leema Acoustics extends its line with an "entry-level" CD player. Available at £1,095 the Stream CD player is closely based on the Antila and is set for launch in time for Christmas.

This CD player still features the MD2 active differential multi-DAC converter technology from its brother, 16x 24-bit/192KHz Crystal multi-bit DAC as opposed to the Antilla's 20, Delta-Sigma converters, a Philips CD drive and has a coaxial digital output. The front panel has only one control: Leema's L-Drive. This single rotary control handles all the usual functions such as CD tray open and close, play, stop, next and previous track selection and so on. And the Stream is equipped with LIPS (Leema's Intelligent Protocol System) which enables the CD player to communicate with other Leema products.

Teac is back with a new high-end Super Audio CD from its division Esoteric. The X-05 is the third model of the "X" series, especially made for the 20th anniversary of Esoteric.

This player features a SACD, CD and CD-R/RW playback in a strong brushed aluminium enclosure (5mm thickness) placed on three foot to reduce vibration. The X-05 gets its high-quality 24-bit/192kHz audio DAC CS4398 from Cirrus Logic in a dual mono configuration and it boasts a SNR up to 130dB and a THD of 0.001%. Analog outputs are XLR 2-channel balanced or RCA unbalanced, along with optical and coaxial digital connectivity. The player dimensions are 442x353x153mm, its weight 17kg and its power consumption is 15W.

The Esoteric's X-05 player is expected to reach the Japanese market in early December and the rest of the world in January for a price of about $4,500.

The latest Consonnance's Droplet CDP3.1 is a 24-bit over sampling CD-player with top-loading CD-drive. Its construction techniques and components have been carefully selected to provide the highest performance claims Consonnance, and it features a digital buffer circuit to eliminate jitter, digital sample rates of 768 kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio above 100dB and a THD less than 0.003%. The Droplet CDP3.1 also includes gold plated RCA outputs and a wireless remote.

This CD player is available in 3 finishes, "Dull red", "Cherry wood" or "Multi-layer dark wook" via your Consonnance dealer for $2,495.

The DP-700 is the latest SACD player from Accuphase, it will be released in early December in Japan. At first look the DP-700 seems old-fashioned however, it incorporates the best from the DC-801 Digital Processor and the DP-800 SACD Player.

It features the innovative digital signal processing technology MDSD (Multiple Double Speed DSD) using an ultra fast FPGA IC (5.6448 MHz) with error correction, the MDS++ technology with 8 D/A converters "AD1955" from Analog Devices driven in parallel and it includes a PLL circuitry "Ultra Jitter-Free +". Frequency response is 0.5Hz to 50kHz, total harmonic distortion is 0.0008% and SNR 114dB.

Also the rear panel gets a bunch of connectors such as coaxial, optical digital outputs, balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. The Accuphase DP-700 measures 477x394x156mm, weighs 27kg and comes with a remote control "RC-100".

Pioneer announced its latest Super Audio CD player. Pioneer's PD-D9 player will be available on November for about $1,200.

This player supports the playback of SACD and CD-R/RW as well as MP3 and WMA audio files. The electronic is based around a twin Wolfson DAC "WM8741" (24 bit/192kHz) recognized as the best sounding audio DAC. For the supply circuit, Low-ESR capacitors have been used along with Schottky diode rectifiers and 2x R-core transformers, one for the digital circuit and the other for the analog circuit.

It results in a SNR of 110 dB for SACDs or 115 dB for CDs, the total harmonic distortion is not bad either with respectively 0.003% for SACDs and 0.002% for CDs.

Yamaha unveiled its high-end SACD / CD player "CD-S2000" to be released in mid-December for $1,500.

The CD-S2000 adopts an elegant design with a brushed aluminium finish available in grey or black color as well as the remote. It supports the playback of CD-R/RW, SACD, MP3 and WMA files. The player has 1x optical digital output, 1x coaxial digital output, 1x analog XLR, 1x analog RCA output and it measures 435x440x137mm for a weight of 15kg.

This product has been engineered to deliver high quality audio playback, with a symmetrical design construction which results in a negligible total harmonic distortion of 0.0017% (SA-CD) and 0.002% or less (CD).