Rotel.Denon, vs Sony Sacd CE-555ES

[Ronflugelguy]

Hey folks, I need some help here. I am considering buying a Sony SACD player (CE-555ES). My question is will it be a better CD player than My Rotel RCD-951 and my Denon CDR -1000? Anybody have experiences to share with me? Thanks, Ron.

[Sckott]

Betcha $1 the Sony will beat the pants off the Rotel.

Donno about the rest. I own Rotel stuff, and it's wonderful. The playback equip is "ok".

[Ronflugelguy]

Between the Rotel, and the Denon, some CDs sound better on one or the other. If they are 24bit recordings, they sound better on the Denon. Of course if they are HDCD, then they sound better on the Rotel. The rotel is a little more laid back, so orchestral sounds better. The detail is good, but much more with the Denon.

[Ronflugelguy]

Sckott, the 555 crunches both of my other CD players. I don't even have it broken in yet. just mre soundstage, bass, and detail w/o being too bright. Love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Todd Fredericks]

Ron,

I think you will be amazed at how much better it's going to sound by next week. I've had mine for almost 2 weeks and the playback is getting better and better. Out of the box it sounded as you described but now it is less sterile/mechanical (if that's a way to describe it) and more musical. Last night I decided to play 5 discs on random mode (I was entertaining a friend visiting from LA) and everything was smooth. 'Court & Spark' was especially nice and warm. Steve's wonderful mastering of this disc really excelled. The 'Ah Um' SACD was very enjoyable. My friend became quiet for a moment when a song was playing off the disc (I had the volume low so we can talk) and he just sat there listening for a while. The music grabbed. After a moment or two he turned to me and said "This is very strange. It sounds like there are real people playing..." Even at a low volume the "real" musicality was shining through. So, Ron, In a few weeks I think you're going to have a bigger ***** *** grin on your face...

Todd

[Ronflugelguy]

Todd, I could already tell a difference after about 3 or 4 discs last night. Its gonna be a great ride!

[Gary]

Hmmmmm! :)

May I ask what price range you guys paid for these? It's the "ES" or high end version, right?

Hmmmmm! :)

[Todd Fredericks]

I'm glad you're enjoying it, Ron! Which discs did you get?

Todd

P.S. Gary, I paid $538 for mine.

[Ronflugelguy]

Gary, I paid $599 for mine. Am in the process of listening to DCC "Raiders of the Lost ark", sound s great on orchestral stuff. On solo jazz Piano, I hear a resoulution in the low end that I have never heard on a Cd player I have owned. I may now have a player that can rival my analog setup for the first time!!!!

[KeithH]

The 'C555ES is an absolute steal right now. I have two of them, one in each of my systems. The first one cost me $800 last October, and I thought I was getting a deal then. Sony dropped the retail price again in March, so I bought the second one for $600. Now they are available for even less. Anyone in the market for a CD player priced around $1500 or less should give the 'C555ES a serious audition. Build quality is very impressive, and remember, it plays SACDs! $1500 might sound a bit steep, but remember that the 'C555ES originally retailed for $1700.

[Gary]

Well the 555 is very, very tempting right now! And with Steve's CCR SACD's coming out..... EEK! Help, I'm loosing willpower!

If they can let it go at that price, what was their cost?!? Are they loosing $?

I just wonder if the "new generation" in the Fall would sound significantly better?

BTW, I'm going to give up on DVD-A as the DVD-A's don't seem to have a true two channel mix - just a fold down. Or if I have to hear the newly remastered Neil Young on DVD-A I can always buy a cheap player. After all it's only a fold down from 5.1..... sad :( sad:( sad:(

Anyone: is the 555 two channel only or is it SACD 5.1 compatable?

[Metralla]

The 555 is multi-channel. Then again, so is the 775 and it's much cheaper.

If you are dipping your toe, and can find a 775 for less than $180, that leaves a lot more for the music. Once you build up a collection of SACDs you can justify a better player.

I started off with a Sony SCD-333ES, originally listed at $1200, was reduced significantly a couple of times and I bought a demo unit for $300. Now I have more than 200 SACDs and I'm getting a modified XA-777ES.

Regards,
Metralla

[Gary]

Modified 777? Interesting! How was / is it modded?

I know someone who improves modified CD players by upgrading the output stage with Lundal transformers. I wonder if Sckott or someone knows how this is done? Or where to get them? DIY would be cheaper, for sure!

I'm still leaning towards the 555, not the 775 as these players last forever. What am I gonna do with 2 SACD players? The WAF would be in the negative range, too! Buy once, have done with it!

And SACD releases are just becoming interesting, too..... :)

[pigmode]

Originally posted by Metralla
Now I have more than 200 SACDs and I'm getting a modified XA-777ES.

Regards,
Metralla

Yikes, you already have an awesome system! Is this from modwright, and if so, will you go for the built in gainstage?

[Todd Fredericks]

Gary,

It's a tough call. I don't know what's coming out in the fall so I have no input on that. It really depends on your budget. For me, I was able to swing for the C-555ES. If I had my ulitmate choice it would be the SCD-1 but that's not an option right now. I owned the CE775 for a few weeks and was happy with it's performance but I made the plunge for the other player. I'm happy with my decision because I really needed a good red book player and I felt strongly about going with the C-555ES (incredible build quality too/quieter changer/5 year warranty/etc.). The CE775 is no slouch on red book/SACD but the 555 is just a better unit (rightfully so for the price/like the XA-777ES is much better than the C-555ES). So, if you can afford the $350-400 more for the 555 (over the 775) then I'd say go for it, especially if it's going to be your front-end player. If you can afford $1,500-2,000 then I'd say go for a 777ES or XA-777ES, you know what I mean. Also, with the current prices for both the CE775 & C-555ES, we're talking incredible "bang for buck". You're getting value with either one you choose...

All the best,

Todd

P.S. Let us know what you decide to do...

[Ronflugelguy]

Gary, get the 555ES. If you need a better red book player, Its got my vote . I hear much more detail than I ever heard on my other players and as Todd stated its more musical and as it gets broken in it gets better. I tend not to sit in front of the speakers and analyze, I just enjoy more!DO IT!!!!!!!!!BTW-Build quality-PRIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris M]

In your opinion, in regards to redbook performance only, would the 555ES yeild a big improvement over the Sony XA-20ES?

Chris

[Gary]

This may be harder than I thought..... the Sony Store has it for "sale" at $2,499.00 . OOUUCCHH!!!

I wonder who else has these in Canada....????

[Todd Fredericks]

Gary,

Can you order it from the US?

Todd

[Gary]

That's an idea! $600.00 US is probably $950.00 CAD plus shipping plus duties, taxes, etc. of - say maybe - $200.00?

I'd still prefer just picking it up though. Are your US prices from Sony itself or other dealers?

[Joseph]

Originally posted by Gary
This may be harder than I thought..... the Sony Store has it for "sale" at $2,499.00 . OOUUCCHH!!!

I wonder who else has these in Canada....????

Gary,
Check G&G on Kingston Road.

[Ronflugelguy]

Gary, Todd got his from J&R Music in NY City, and I got mine from the local GOOD GUYS Store.

[Metralla]

Originally posted by pigmode
Is this from modwright, and if so, will you go for the built in gainstage?

pigmode and Gary,

There are a number of SACD modifiers out there. Forgive me if you are already up to snuff with this data.

Richard Kern is very well known and has been adding the Audiocom mods (clock, clock power supply) for quite some time to a range of players. In addition (and an important one), he is now the US distributor for Allen Wright's kits. I would say that he has the highest profile and is extremely professional. There are many, many good reports of his work, and he would be the one most would recommend. I will probably send him, in due course, my SCD-333ES for him to add the non-balanced Allen Wright kit.

Dan Wright has been at it for a while and can add the Jena labs valve output board, if you want to really go to town. He has his own forum (modwright) and the interaction he provides there is very desirable.

Matt Anker (SACDMods.com) seems to specialize in the cheaper players especially 775 mods, which by all reports are great value. If I owned a 775 I'd look him up.

Stan Warren (Supermods) also has a good reputation, though I don't think he has a web site or an email address, so this will limit his exposure.

Oade Brothers sell the 555 with an upgrade that has been getting some good reviews, and is pretty well priced. If I were buying a 555 I'd DEFINITELY ask them about this. It's a $150 mod, and Oade Brothers out of Georgia have excellent prices and are a certified Sony outlet.

I ended up going with Ric Schultz, of EVS, for two reasons. One reason is he lives about 40 mins from me in the Santa Cruz mountains. The second reason is I bought the XA777 from him for $1900. This was in late January when the price new was $3k; the street price dropped to $2k in March.

The unit was just run in and in perfect condition. Part of the deal was that he offered me $400 credit towards modifications if I left it with him. And that's what I did - I haven't heard it. I had to then decide on the level of modifications I wanted, and I stopped short of the full Gonzo, but still am spending a tidy sum.

Ric's been building DACs and other equipment for 20 years or so, and has recently abandoned his highly-thought-of EVS DAC in favour of modifying SACD players, as he really fells that there is tremendous potential in these players. He has had my XA-777 for a while, but he is such a perfectionist, and that's one of the reasons it is taking quite some time. The other reason is my player is the first off the rank. I don't hassle him about it, but if you prefer a more timely job, I'd say Richard Kern could be more suitable.

When the player arrives, hopefully within the next fortnight, I'd be delighted to tell you folks about it. In fact I was hoping to have it for that vinyl-CD-SACD shootout in San Francisco that was mooted a month or so ago.

Regards,
Geoff (following Bob Lovely's suggestion. It's going to be hard to remember!)

[Gary]

Originally posted by Tangent


Gary,
Check G&G on Kingston Road.

Is that the Sony distributor, Tangent?

Great post, Metralla! Thanks!

[Joseph]

Originally posted by Gary


Is that the Sony distributor, Tangent?

Great post, Metralla! Thanks!

No but they are a very large Sony dealer who has been known to deal (in person).