Back to the future with SACD? Moments like this make me grateful my collection is limited to just five discs that Sony handed me back in 2000.
Shanling is once again raising the bar for frustrated audiophiles with the release of their ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD Transport—a device designed to breathe new life into SACD and CD formats, providing the highest quality playback with compatibility across nearly any high-end DAC.
Roger Fortier, VP and Director of Sales at Forte Distribution, the U.S. distributor for Shanling Electronics, emphasizes the transport’s appeal to music lovers. “The ONIX Zenith XST20 is another step in Shanling’s commitment to bringing fans of CDs and SACDs an audiophile-grade solution for enjoying their discs with virtually any DAC on the market,” Fortier explains. “From its top-tier components to its durable build quality and user-friendly operation, the XST20 is an essential for anyone who appreciates the superior sound of SACD.”
Engineered for seamless integration with nearly every DAC available, the ONIX Zenith XST20 delivers SACD playback with pure DSD audio output. Equipped with two I2S outputs—one dedicated to SACD and the other to Red Book CDs—the XST20 features specialized hardware that allows easy switching between 10 I2S pinout modes, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of systems.
Fortier adds, “The ONIX Zenith XST20 offers a simple, straightforward way to bring SACD, standard CD, and even MQA-CD playback to any high-end DAC and audio system, delivering an exceptional sonic experience every time.”
The ONIX Zenith XST20 is poised to become a go-to solution for audiophiles looking to elevate their music collection with uncompromising sound quality and reliability.
The Shanling ONIX Zenith XST20 (MSRP: $2,399 USD) is a top-loading SACD/CD transport that delivers true DSD quality playback to external DACs via I2S, Coaxial, Optical, AES, and BNC connections.
While audiophiles continue to champion SACD, most mainstream listeners who still own a CD player—or are considering purchasing a new one—are likely scratching their heads, wondering what the fuss is about. A bit of explanation is definitely in order.
Legacy & Decline
SACD (Super Audio CD) was a high-resolution audio format introduced by Sony and Philips in 1999. It was developed to offer a more detailed and richer sound quality compared to the traditional CD (Compact Disc), with an emphasis on providing an enhanced listening experience, especially for audiophiles.
SACD used a technology called DSD (Direct Stream Digital), which captures audio in a 1-bit format at a higher sampling rate (2.8 MHz) compared to the 16-bit, 44.1 kHz resolution of CDs. This resulted in a broader frequency range and a more natural, nuanced sound.
SACDs could also be encoded in multi-channel audio (typically 5.1 surround sound), offering an immersive experience for listeners, as opposed to standard stereo audio found on CDs.
Despite its technological advantages, SACD never gained mainstream success. The format faced strong competition from the growing digital download and streaming market, as well as the dominance of DVD and Blu-ray for home entertainment. As a result, SACD never reached the mass-market adoption that CDs or digital formats achieved.
However, it remains popular among audiophiles, and collectors continue to appreciate SACDs for their superior sound quality, especially in specialized music genres and classical music collections. Acoustic Sounds have one of the best online stores for the format that is worth checking out here.
Do I need an I2S cable? That sounds expensive
Yes Jethro. You most certainly do.
I2S (Inter-IC Sound) is a serial bus interface standard specifically designed for transmitting digital audio data between integrated circuits (ICs) with minimal signal processing. Unlike general-purpose digital communication protocols like SPI or I2C, I2S is optimized for transmitting PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio data in a way that preserves timing accuracy and signal integrity, making it ideal for high-fidelity audio applications.
I2S operates in synchronous mode, meaning the clock signals (SCK and WS) are derived from a single source, ensuring that both the transmitter and receiver are in perfect sync. This tight synchronization is crucial for high-quality audio reproduction, especially in applications like SACD players, high-end DACs, and professional audio equipment where minimizing jitter and maintaining signal integrity is paramount.
I2S Advantages?
I2S allows the raw PCM data to be sent directly from the transport device to the DAC, without conversion or loss of quality, which is critical for high-end audio systems. Audiophiles are obsessed with reducing jitter which can degrade audio quality.
I2S connections often use specialized connectors like HDMI, RJ45 (Ethernet), or BNC connectors. Some DACs and transport devices use custom I2S pinouts for these connections, while others may use HDMI cables with I2S-compatible pinouts to transport the audio signals.
The Bottom Line
While SACD (Super Audio CD) offers superior sound quality with its high-resolution audio and DSD format, its niche status, limited disc availability, and higher costs make it less practical for mainstream listeners. Despite its audiophile appeal, SACD remains largely a format for enthusiasts, with many opting for digital streaming or high-res downloads instead. However, for those who still value physical media and demand the highest fidelity, SACD continues to deliver an unmatched listening experience. Shanling’s new ONIX Zenith XST20 offers a relatively affordable option for audiophiles to keep enjoying their CD/SACD collection — as long they remember that it still requires a DAC and i2S cable — and SACDs to play.
Where to buy: $2,399 at Forte Distribution
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A.C. Sucker
April 9, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Love the sarcasm. Pretty sure we won’t see any from other hi-fi rags that will circle jerk about how SACD could become the new “vinyl.”
Newsflash — it will never be anything but an Uber niche audiophile format requiring overpriced SACD players.
Why does this remind me an older Rega top-loader for a lot more money?
Hard pass.
Ian White
April 9, 2025 at 5:30 pm
A.C.,
Are new SACDs being made? I’ve seen bins with used ones at PRX and other stores in Toronto and Washington D.C. but nothing new. SACD did sound better but most if the titles were audiophile-esque recordings and I never saw the appeal.
I can’t speak for any other magazines.
I owned the original Rega Planet and now that you mention it…it does look like the Rega CD players.
IW
A
April 9, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Yes SACD are still being made. Analogue Productions, Mobile Fidelity and Sony Japan are the companies that are regularly putting out SACD’s. They are almost exclusively classic rock, jazz and classical. There are quite a few new titles available today.
Ian White
April 9, 2025 at 9:28 pm
A,
That’s good to know that Chad is still supporting it. Won’t touch MoFi ever again. Will have to look for some when I’m in Princeton again in a few weeks at PRX. Appreciate the update.
Iw
Ian White
April 9, 2025 at 10:02 pm
A,
Added a new sentence and link to Acoustic Sounds.
TY for the information.
IW
A.
April 12, 2025 at 4:37 pm
That’s great. Nice to see the update. I ordered this transport from my local dealer. Excited to get my hands on it.
Ian White
April 12, 2025 at 4:43 pm
A.
Any advice on which I2S output works best? I’ve seen the HDMI ones.
I’ve noticed that some of the DAC makers based in China and Japan have temporarily stopped shipping their products to the U.S. because of the tariffs. Even with today’s exemptions — they are not covered.
IW
Mark
April 11, 2025 at 5:41 am
Looking at the image of the back panel it would seem that there is only the one I2S output.
These typically (universally?) use “standard” HDMI cables of recent spec for which you do not have to pay outrageous amounts of money… unless you really, really want to.
If you can’t abide SACD, Shanling also makes a nice CD transport — the ET3 — at a third the price. Like other separate components… phono stages, SUTs, streamers, preamps, amps, speakers etc. it too requires cables to connect to the rest of your system.
Ian White
April 11, 2025 at 10:28 am
Mark,
There is one HDMI and a single BNC. Sarcasm abides recently. I’m excited to hear the Shanling in action. Ordered 2 SACDs from Chad.
IW
Mark Henschel
April 11, 2025 at 12:54 pm
It’s refreshing that you are going to actually listen to SACDs. Many reviewers haven’t bothered playing them on the SACD players they are reviewing.
Odd, that.
Ian White
April 11, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Mark,
That’s like reviewing a 4K BD player and only using BDs and DVDs.
Will let you know what we think.
IW
Anton
April 14, 2025 at 1:13 pm
That’s like reviewing a 4K TV with DVDs and calling it a day.
Would love to know the name of the reviewers who did that with an SACD player.
Hard to believe any of these people.
Mark
April 14, 2025 at 1:27 am
I’m still pretty sure I2S is only supported on the “I2S” connector, not the “BNC” connector.
So the best cable to use is an HDMI cable which most DACs — like my Denafrips — seem to assume. What DAC were you planning to use?
I believe that native DSD — which is what we’re interested in for SACD — is only provided via the “I2S” output.
Hope this helps.
M
Ian White
April 14, 2025 at 10:45 am
Mark,
Holo Audio Cyan 2. I reviewed the Spring3 KTE and loved it. Just out of my budget.
IW