Who's Now Considering an SACD Machine?

[Joseph]

I posted this question on May 3

QUESTION:

If Sony was able to release a few hundred SACD's of artists such as

The Beatles
The Stones
Led Zeppelin
Bob Dylan
Frank Sinatra
Van Morrison etc. etc.

who of you would take the SACD plunge?

In light of the new information of the last couple of days anybody decided to take the SACD plunge or closer to deciding?

[Gary]

Me! :D

But I really have to do some serious looking around, read reviews, etc. especially as I percieve that my options are now at an all time high: 3! Sony, Toshiba and Pioneer.

You know what bugs me about audtioning a CDP - or any component? Sure it may sound great in the store's perfect listening environment, but what would it sound like at home? I guess if I bought the best sounding SACD machine, I can always reconfigure my listening room.....

:rolleyes:

.... again.

[Todd Fredericks]

I find this ironic because I sat on the fence in regard to SACD (or even just a new CD player) for some time. Wednesday, I decided to take the plunge with the Sony CE775 ($179 at Circuit City) which is actually very good quality for the price (in a few months I may add a better single disc player, etc.). If I was still sitting on the fence, yesterday's news would've pushed me off...

Todd

[Joseph]

Originally posted by Gary
Me! :D

But I really have to do some serious looking around, read reviews, etc. especially as I percieve that my options are now at an all time high: 3! Sony, Toshiba and Pioneer.

You know what bugs me about audtioning a CDP - or any component? Sure it may sound great in the store's perfect listening environment, but what would it sound like at home? I guess if I bought the best sounding SACD machine, I can always reconfigure my listening room.....

:rolleyes:

.... again.


Gary,

Don't discount the new Marantz 8260 SACD/CD player. All indications are that this is a VERY good machine at a bargain price of about $1050 U.S.$ Is slated to sell for under $2K Cdn taxes in! Khorn is leaning to the Marantz.

[mcow1]

Well, I'm certainly considering now, whereas before I was definitely leaning towards HDCD.

[Gary]

Originally posted by mcow1
Well, I'm certainly considering now, whereas before I was definitely leaning towards HDCD.

My original idea was to get a SACD player with an external DAC with HDCD to decode my HDCD discs. But if Yes comes out in SACD, I'll junk my Japanese papersleeves....

Still one of my concerns is to be able to play the upcoming Neil Yonge discs that are DVD-A (and DVD's of Alice Cooper, the Band, etc.) although at this point I am only interested in stereo, not 5.1 or 6.1.

Don't you hate this, Mcow1? :rolleyes: Arrrgh - what to buy!

[jkerr]

Originally posted by Todd Fredericks
I find this ironic because I sat on the fence in regard to SACD (or even just a new CD player) for some time. Wednesday, I decided to take the plunge with the Sony CE775 ($179 at Circuit City) which is actually very good quality for the price (in a few months I may add a better single disc player, etc.). If I was still sitting on the fence, yesterday's news would've pushed me off...

Todd


A friend at work did the same thing a few months ago. Got the CE775 to try out SACD (after he heard my SCD-777ES) and was impressed. Then he got the upgrade bug and got a modded 555ES from Oade Bros and he says that he's happy with the upgrade and that difference was significant. His research indicated that the 222ES may not be that much different but the 555 would worth the extra $. And the modded 555 even more so.

Oade Bros Website (http://www.oade.com)

I bought my 777ES from here last year just before the 777 was discontinued. Good people to deal with.

[mcow1]

Originally posted by Gary


My Don't you hate this, Mcow1? :rolleyes: Arrrgh - what to buy!

It sucks. It reminds me of the different PC format wars for cd-r and dvd-r. On PCs at least they eventually decide on one set of standards.

[Todd Fredericks]

jkerr,

Thanks for the info. I checked out their site. How much did your friend pay for a modded 555ES? What were the differences he heard sonically (& is the changer as noisy as the 795)? Also, I've read (during my research) that the CE795 and the 222ES are vitually the same machine (222ES is based on 795) except the 222ES has better casing, gold rca's & a small additional transformer. The 795 sounds very good but it's not the be all, end all (obviously).


Todd

[ArneW]

I'll buy a SACD machine as soon as the first Frank Sinatra Reprise SACD is out. But let me get that DAB tuner first.:)

Arne

[PsychFan]

I must admit the Stones news got me thinking seriously about getting a SACD player for the first time. I've been eyeing the $179 Sony player at Circuit City (wow, free shipping right now, too).

I don't know, though. I still think I'll wait, at least until after the discs are out ... My plan was to not even consider SACD or DVD-A until affordable universal players started appearing, and until many more titles (particularly those with 2-channel options, since I don't plan on "going surround" any time in the foreseeable future) had been released. I think I'll wait and see what the word is on these Stones titles once they've come out, and then think about it anew ...

[jkerr]

Originally posted by Todd Fredericks
jkerr,

Thanks for the info. I checked out their site. How much did your friend pay for a modded 555ES? What were the differences he heard sonically (& is the changer as noisy as the 795)? Also, I've read (during my research) that the CE795 and the 222ES are vitually the same machine (222ES is based on 795) except the 222ES has better casing, gold rca's & a small additional transformer. The 795 sounds very good but it's not the be all, end all (obviously).


Todd


I think he paid about $900. I'd have to double check with him. Oade Bros had one in stock and maybe got a prce break. Also the big thing was the warranty. He was told that Oade would still honor the 5 year Sony warranty. The description from Oade was that they were trying to approach the sound of the XA777ES. Also the info you said about the CE775 vs 222 is exactly what Oade told my friend. You may want to do some searching in audioasylum, I think there some comments about the Oade mods awhile ago.

The build quality of the 555 is way better than the CE775. So I'd imagine the changer should be much better. Basically the improvments he heard was better soundstage, more bass, better clarity, better everything really. Like, the CE775 was wow! and then the 555 was WOW!! So he's happy. I don't think he regrets getting the CE775 but it certainly wet his appetite for more.

[Sckott]

Oh HELL count me in too then. I'll buy a $150 SACD player and grab me also a "Blonde On Blonde" Dylan too.

Ok, you talked me into it.

[Todd Fredericks]

Thanks, jkerr! I have 30 days to decide if I'm going to keep the 795 (which I think is a "wow"). I really need to watch my finances right now (too much spending, yikes). I at least have a few weeks to think over what I want to do. My aim is to at some point get a very, very good CD/SACD player (I really don't care about having a disc-changer). I read a lot about the 795 and for $179, it seemed like a very good deal for a "good" player (not very, very but good). I was thinking maybe by the fall get the "very, very" good player (maybe a single disc one/I don't really care about the surround stuff for music). This is making me think that why should I have 2 players in a few months? Maybe it would be better invest in 1 execellent quality machine? It's tough making decisions sometimes. Anyway, I have a little less than a month to decide...


Todd

[njwiv]

I'm definitely considering SACD much more strongly now, although I may wait to hear opinions on what ABKCO does to the Stones before jumping in.

Jay

[Todd Fredericks]

Sckott,

Sounds like a good idea and you should have 30 days to decide if you want to bump up the quality thingie (like I'm contemplating). For you it should be a "no brainer" because you have 2 systems. You could also invest in a "better" player later down the road with less justification. The 795 does sound very good (especially for the value). I also got the 'Blonde On Blonde' as my first disc (the only one still) and it sounds great. You're right, why not??

Todd

[jkerr]

It seems to me that for $179 for the CE775 is a helluva deal. Even if you're thinking about a highend machine in the future, the 775 would then make a nice bedroom unit.

[aashton]

SACD looks as though it has just moved into the "must have"category - so it seems like I am going to have more digital boxes than a box shop that specialises in lots of boxes. (DVD transport and its DAC - CD transport and its DAC - SACD and possibly its own DAC). My good lady is very understanding but sometimes points at a piece that I have had for years and says "that's new" - she knows she has a 50/50 chance of being right.

Gary - I would think twice about junking the Yes papersleeves I guess they are the collectibles of the future (and high up there on my favourite recordings list).

All the best - Andrew

[Todd Fredericks]

jkerr,

That's true. I'm setting up my recording gear in the bedroom and maybe in the future the 795 could be added if/when I get a higher-end player. Maybe I should keep to my plan, keep the 795 and do some shopping in the fall for the main system. Sometimes, I just think too much...

Todd

[jkerr]

Originally posted by aashton
SACD looks as though it has just moved into the "must have"category - so it seems like I am going to have more digital boxes than a box shop that specialises in lots of boxes. (DVD transport and its DAC - CD transport and its DAC - SACD and possibly its own DAC).

All the best - Andrew

With maybe one very highend/expensive exception, there's no digital out for SACD. Big hassle if you're into multichannel.

[PsychFan]

Hey, would this Sony 1-disc model (which also plays DVD-V) be anywhere near as good a deal as the 775? This one's $159 (sorry for the long ugly URL).

http://www.circuitcity.com/ewebIMa/detail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0922781517.1 022859953@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdhadcfflhefklcfngcfkmdffhd ffl.0&bookmark=bookmark_0&oid=41985&catoid=-8039

[aashton]

Originally posted by jkerr


With maybe one very highend/expensive exception, there's no digital out for SACD. Big hassle if you're into multichannel.

You're right the multibox players are still in the "new technology premium price" phase - the two options I am aware of being the Accuphase - ( I used to have an Accuphase CD and thought the world of it) and DCS which isn't quite so cripplingly expensive here in the UK (just).

I keep reading that firewire is going to be the agreed link mechanism - but it doesn't mean that much to me just that two boxers are possible.

All the best - Andrew

[tomd]

As far as seeing Led Zeppelin on SACD anytime soon you can forget it since they're signed to Atlantic a WEA company.As far as any of the other artists you mentioned anythings possible even probable at this point.Since most of my favotite artists are on Warner Bros. family labels I have purchased a good (Rotel RDV-1080) player.I might start looking to replace with a Universal player if Universal starts putting out Van Morrison,Steely Dan,and Bob Marley on SACD and NOT DVD-A.Last I checked with Universal's head of A&R I was told those above mentioned artists/albums will appear on both formats however.

[jkerr]

Originally posted by Jeff Partyka
[B]Hey, would this Sony 1-disc model (which also plays DVD-V) be anywhere near as good a deal as the 775? This one's $159 (sorry for the long ugly URL).



Well, I just searched audioasylum and found this review:

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/76537.html

another long ugly URL

[Todd Fredericks]

Jeff,

According to my research someone on AA said this about the two machines:

"The NS500V has switching power supply (BAD!!!) while the CE775 has linear (GOOD!!!).
The NS500V has a 5.1 DAC instead of 3 separates.

The NS500V has a rediculously complex clock divider chip that introduces jitter.

The NS500V uses off-brand coupling capacitors unlike the Nichicon Muse Gold series in the CE775.

I could go on forever. Did I mention that the CE775 sounds better?"


I hope this helps...

Todd