Great sound on cd and SACD

Question above

Love the product, great SACD, Great CD. All said before. Question? I am getting a lot of "No Disk" readings when putting in a cd. Open it and try again and it plays, anyone else getting this and any solutions> Thanks

CD: good extention at high and low. clean and clear presentation.. good pace and dynamic SACD: very close to SA-1, u know the review already..i don''t need to say more. a five star for SACD...

CD:not natural or not warm enough. a bit more ambiance will help. a bit disappointing.. It''s possible that other new class b CDPs can be better in some aspects or even better at most aspects.. SACD: a bit more warmth is possible, but it''s my taste and it is my bias.

Good SACD sound and build quality.. Its CD presentation has a shaper and more distinct "Frames" and "outlines" at the first few mini seconds of every note and every attacks. But everything within the frames and outlines could be a bit more lush and vibrant. I am talking about a stronger ambiance that is possible with other CDPs that cost less that 777es... besides this, I don''t have too much to be picky about.. Also, naturalness and sweetness could be better in other CDP(above is for CD)... It''s SACD sound has a bit cold feelings. I guess if you like your system warm, warmer sounding amps and speakers are a must for both CD and SACD....Yes , speaker can sound warm with mainly Scanspeak or other paper cone and soft dome tweeters... Overall, both CD and SACD can have a bit more beefy feelings... No need for me to mention the strength of SACD. All audiophiles have read plenty reviews...

Similar Products Used:

SA-1

Very smooth detailed for both SACD and CD playback. Well built statement product.

As a SACD player perhaps a bit too smooth. As a CD player lacks body and tonal depth. Bettered by good cheaper CD players.

Current System: Sony SCD-777ES and CDP-XA555ES -> Proceed PAV preamplifier->Plinius 250MK4 amplifier ->Jamo Concert 8 loudspeakers Sony SCD-777ES CD performance: Quiet background, smooth, good timing, but lacks body and tonal depth. On direct comparison, bettered by Marantz CD-10 (more body, but less detail) and Sony CDP-XA555ES (better in all areas except not as smooth in tops). Sony SCD-777ES SACD performance: Very smooth, did I say smooth, relaxed inviting sound, detailed, but maybe too smooth and still lacks a bit of tonal depth. Bettered by Marantz SA-14 when SCD-777ES was not completely run-in – personal comparisons recommended. Sony SCD-777ES run-in: The SCD-777ES took longer to run-in than any other product I have used. Unlike other products that tend to gradually improve, the SCD-777ES has a more definite transition. Before running-in, it sounded thin, lacking in bass punch and wrong in the upper frequencies. After running-in, the bass became tight and fuller while the tops smoothed out. Unfortunately lack of body and tonal depth never quite disappeared. Sony CDP-XA555ES CD performance: Warm, well judged tonal balance, excellent timing, but just a slightest of edge on tops. Marantz SA-14 performance: On comparison to Sony-777ES, warm, full bodied sound, particularly in bass. Tweaking the SCD-777ES: The technical manual shows this to be a well-engineered player. I suspect some of the CD performance problems (lack of body and tonal depth) are due to the over zealous filtering (2 stage GIC filter). I upgraded I/V the opamp from OPA2604 to LM6172 that resulted in a minor gain in detail.

Similar Products Used:

Sony CDP-338ES, Sony CDP-XA555ES, Marantz SA-14, Marantz CD-10, Arcam Alpha 9

Awesome sound, build, price

Logic of the circuitry requiring 8 interconnects + a possible digital cable

This review is for the SCD-XA777ES-a SACD multi-channel player. I''ve only used it in stereo mode so far, which utilizes more DAC''s (and gives the best sound)than when using it in multi-channel mode-sound is great for CD''s, but simply awesome for SACD. The instruments sound "real"-even the 1959 recording of Miles Davis sounds as if he were in my room-air around the instruments, tremendous soundstage and headroom-it really is unbelievable how great it sounds.CD''s on "reference" systems sound like crap-after hearing SACD''s its hard to close your eyes and imagine CD''s are live. The XA-777ES is built like a tank, not the usual sony crap. Compared to The SCD-1, CD''s too close for me to call, sacd''s equally awesome-yet 777ES is 1 grand less. One problem-you need 8 interconnects to maximally use the machine: 2 RCA''s for the stereo (which uses the most DAC''s and gives you the best sound) + 6 for the multichannel mode-unfortunately you CAN''T play multichannel SACD''s through the stereo output, and you can''t send the stereo SACD''s to just 2 of the outputs of the multichannel!! (I think you can send it to 2 channels+ a sub, but I haven''t tried that yet-My system: SCDXA777ES Integra RDC-7-also an awsesome machine and a bargain-much better than my Rotel RSP 985 Rotel 1095 multichannel AMP Nautilus 803 fronts Monster M1001 interconnects MonsterM1.4S biwire speaker cables Still looking for a DVD-A player Definitive Tech BPX surround speakers and Nautilus HTM1 center-not set up yet Monster power regulator/conditioner In Summary, I''ve heard much more expensive systems that don''t sound as good -SACD makes that much of a vast difference.

I''ll say it again: KEEP THE MACHINE ON at all times and there will be THE END of the "crackling" noise! Mine has been on for about a year and I can''t remember the last time I heard a crackle. Or, like someone below has suggested, keep it in a WELL ventilated area OR keep the unit elevated on vibra-pods or such.

Very high resolution and ''alive'' with SACD, if source is well recorded/mastered. A great transport unit.

Mediocre CD playback, probably due to electronics within. Slow loading time. Hernia inducing brick...

SACD on well recorded source material really shines against CD. However, CD playback is mediocre. The transport unit is pretty good and qualifies as high end. Sings with my Meridian 566 DAC. Rewarding with a good power cable.

Similar Products Used:

CDPX779ES, CDPX3000ES, Pioneer DVS10A

analog like w/ a good LF definition on SACD and a good CD player as a bonus

too slow

I bought the unit just for the SACD playback since I'm not
expecting much on thr cd mode but the I was surprised that the cd mode is also good specially after burning it for at least 250 hrs and using the custom mode. And I wonder who
would review an equipment under a condition that your not
familiar with and not your equipment and then trash it. Well
compare to my digital playback the Sony is an improvement
but compared to my analog it's no contest. But on SACD mode
CD is flat, lifeless, and two dimensional no contest specially on Telarc's Dukas 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' It's very analog like and a low frequency defenition that vested
my analog rig. This is one area my analog set-up was bettered but the on the highs and mids it's still analog realm but the SACD is damn close. And for the price that I paid for it the CD playback is only a bonus feature.
Pre-amp; CAT SL-1 Signature, BAT VK 3i
Amp: Sonic Frontiers Pwr 1, KTA 300B 20W PP, and Altec Lansing 1570B 811B triode pp amp
Analog: VPI HW MK IV w/ Graham 1.5 arm and Koetsu black
Cables: Goertz M1, LAT, Transition Audio Int.
Speakers: Custom made with Scan-speaks drivers.
Custom with Seas and scan-speak revelator HF

Similar Products Used:

CAL Alpha DAC w/ Tele 12AX7 smooth plates, Pioneer Elite
CAL Alpha DAC w/ Tele 12AX7 smooth plate and a Pioneer Elite PD 65 as a transport

Natural, open sound.

Slow TOC reading.

My first venture into SACD. However, the real surprise is how good the 777ES sounds with conventional CD's. Open, powerful and smooth.

With SACD's, the sound grows in stature, adding further levels of refinement, and a much bigger soundstage. Something of a high end bargain, in my view.

Used with:
EAR 519 monobloc amps
Spendor SP 9/1 speakers
Kimber cable.

Similar Products Used:

Wadia, Teac

imaging, speed, soundstaging, buildquality

none

I have used the SCD 777 as a "red book" cd-player untill now. ( The 2 sacd's I own are not that interesting, beacause the soundquality of these recordings is not special at all - Heavy Wheather-Wheather Report and Dvorac symphony no 9/Bernstn -
Playing "conventional" pcm cd's however, the SCD 777 is a revalation; it shows the competition its heels. I have used many, many players.
A former writer says the older 777 beats the new SCD 777 soundwise, but I don't agree! I have owned the older 777 myself, so I know the differences between these 2 players very well. On my subjective scorelist the SCD 777 scores 41 - as a "red book" player - while the "old 777" scored 29, also quite a diference. Actually the SCD 777 is much better integrated, having smoother highs letting through more details and showing in the meantime, a cleaner, more focussed midrange integrated in a much wider and deeper soundstage. The SCD 777 is a true high end player. In former days I used the Meridian 508 AND the Wadia 830
prefering the Meridian for the harmonic balanced colours and the Wadia for the dynamics. When the SCD 777 entered, I sold both the Meridian and the Wadia !!! Enough said ??
System: B&W Nautilus 802 loudspeakers,
Bryston 4 B ST / BP 25 amplification,
Nordost Red Dawns cabling,
Sony SCD 777

Similar Products Used:

Sony X 7 ES, sony 77 ES, Sony 777 ES, Wadia 830, CEC 5100 Z, Meridian 508/24, Denon S 10, CEC 5100 drive + Tango converter etc

Impressive build quality, fantastic sound with SACD software

Not the best player for regular CDs

A few years ago, I thought that all CD players were cut from the same cloth, amplifiers were all the same except for maximum power output, and the speaker was the most important component. I've found out now that I couldn't have been more wrong!

Now I own a Naim CDX (I just spent a year walking up from a CD3.5, 3.5/Flat-Cap, and 3.5/Hi-Cap), so I have very high standards for CDs players. I also have a Sony CDP-C600D (5-DVD changer) to watch DVD and to occasionally swap CDs for background music. There's no way I could handle the DVD changer as my sole CD source.

I must say, this Sony SCD-777ES looks impressive. The hatch opens and closes like a docking bay on a space station, so if that gets your heart pounding, you may not need to listen to it. The CD takes an enormous amount of time to load (over 30 seconds from when you push the button), which would probably drive me bonkers in the long run.

Once the disc is loaded, the sound is quite amazing. I started with an SACD-encoded disc. For those of you who prefer turntables over CD players, you can throw away your LP12, et al. The sound is smooth, rhythmic, and lyrical. None of that grainy harshness that you've come to expect from CD players is evident with this beast playing when it’s playing SACDs. It just sounds "right". Unfortunately, there are very few SACD discs available, so you should probably hold on to your turntable for a little while longer.

With regular CDs, unfortunately, it's not nearly as impressive. Although it does a fairly good job of hiding the harshness of CDs, it loses out on the swing factor, when compared to players like the Naim CDX and Linn Ikemi. It's actually close to a Naim CD3.5 without a power supply, but with a little less excitement. You could get a 3.5 and Flat-Cap for less money (or a 3.5 and Hi-Cap for a touch more), and for CD listening this would a better way to go.

In the end, if SACD compatibility is important to you and you like to watch the door open and close, then you'll have to decide whether you can live with the slow loading time and sub par CD performance. In my case, I've got too many CDs to compromise with this player. It's not bad, but it's certainly not the best.

Similar Products Used:

Naim CDX, Naim CD3.5, Linn Ikemi, Sony DVD-C600D