Sony SCD1 vs XA777ES

[Khorn]

In a previous post I asked advice on players and I had pretty well decided on the Sony SCD XA777ES. Now there is a new "fly in the ointment" so to speak. I may be able to obtain The SCD1 for the same price as an XA777ES. Now, to set things straight I don't care at all about multi channel so that is a non factor. I'm only concerned about stereo SACD and red book CD.

In your opinion how do the two units stack up and which one would you choose eliminating cost as a factor in making your judgement?

[Steve Hoffman]

SCD1, buddy.

http://r3.us.rmi.yahoo.com/rmi/http://www.sonystyle.com/electronics/prd.jsp/rmivars%3ftarget=_top?pid=3889

[vex]

If multi-channel is not a consideration, SCD-1 is definitely a better way to go. Why would you want the "overhead" of multi-channel if you're not going to take advantage of it? I was under the impression that you were after multi-channel capability.

The SCD-1 is simply elegant. The XA777ES has the advantage of being a second-generation player, and is an awesome machine in its own right, but the SCD-1 has it outclassed by a wide margin.

[Metralla]

They are both absolutely stunning machines that you will be delighted with and will be intensely proud of for many years.

In my auditioning, I found the margin was not that wide. The XA777ES has a lot going for it and the price is right. Although the SCD-1 was a flagship product and a loss leader for Sony, those 6 DACs in the XA777ES have some magic.

You can get a new XA777 for under $2000; and you say you can get a used SCD-1 for the same price. If that's the case, you do have a difficult decision, and maybe the advice above is correct. But if the used SCD-1 is costing any more than the $2k, I'd suggest the newer XA777.

Regards,
Metralla

[Todd Fredericks]

A friend of mine's father has the SCD-1 and it's a beautiful machine. His friend Mark Levinson (strange byrd) set up his system (first Cello gear, now Red Rose) and the music sounds incredible. 2 years ago, my friend and I were at J&R looking for father's day gifts and I suggested 'Kind of Blue' and 'Ah Um' SACD's. He gave them to his dad (his first SACD's rather than the sampler) and he loved them. His dad (no names to protect the innocent) is a singer/producer of "new music" (think Robert Ashley, etc.) and has an amazing ear. His system with the SCD-1 sounds very live. Again, I'd say go with the SCD-1 (especially if you don't give a toss for surround). The SCD-1 is not only a piece of gear, it's a piece of art and a statement...

Todd

[KeithH]

For what it's worth, Andrew Cordesman wrote up in The Absolute Sound a few months ago that the SCD-1 beat the SCD-XA777ES. He said in comparing the SCD-777ES to the 'XA777ES that it was "too close to call".

[Metralla]

Anthony H. Cordesman said: "A head-on comparison with the Sony SCD-1 showed only a small loss of low-level detail and signal-to-noise ratio". (p. 61) On Redbook, Bob Harley said that the XA777ES "doesn't have quite the dynamics, sense of life, and transparency as the two-channel SCD-1"(p. 59), and futher remarked that "the SCD-1 was more resolving with SACD sources than the XA777ES".

I think we can interpret these statements as they are pretty close. That was my impression when I auditioned them.

Note that the ergonomics of the SCD-1 may sway your opinion one way or the other; it's a top loader and you have the puck to contend with. And the TOC is read much faster on the later box. Of course, if you are interested in m/c somewhere down the track, your decision is easy.

As I said - two fantastic machines. Let your wallet be your guide.

Regards,
Metralla

[pjrashid]

Khorn,

I like your name...I have a pair of those for my left and right front speakers...LaScala's for the rears. I haven't dived into the SACD scene yet, but will soon. Like all electronics, the longer you can wait, the better the quality of the product/price ratio will be. Good luck!