You don’t see them very often anymore: players capable of handling SACDs. The Onix Zenith XST20 CD transport is a welcome exception.
Some audiophiles and music lovers once enthusiastically began collecting SACDs. Unfortunately, this high-resolution CD format never really caught on, which means players that support it have become increasingly rare. Thankfully, new ones still pop up occasionally—like this new Onix Zenith XST20, a CD transport. That means it does not include a built-in DAC. You’ll need to connect one externally, or use a DAC integrated into your hi-fi system. For the rest, it’s a top-loader, equipped with a practical 3.4-inch touchscreen display.
The XST20 plays true DSD from SACDs. Native DSD64 is available via an I2S connection. DSD64 DoP can be output via coaxial, optical, AES, and/or BNC. There’s also a USB output, though somewhat surprisingly, it does not support SACD playback. It can, however, be used to send standard CD digital audio to an external DAC.
The Onix Zenith XST20 is priced at $2,099 (or $2,299 in the U.S.), though that will naturally depend on how the Trump-era tariff wars develop.