Price Paid:  $600.00 from Singapore

Summary:
Bought this new for 600 EUR in Singapore. Beautifully crafted, nice machine. The mechanism is fantastic piece of engeneering, all metal. Has three mains transformers and all new stuff (frame and beam chasis etc.) from Sony. The sound is very warm, rich and articulate. This player sounds like no Sony, it sounds like a good turntable. I guess that the secret is in the new DA converter. In direct tests I have performed, this player beat Marantz CD17 in all areas... it is more musical, the bass and highs are much much better. The only thing that I have found better is Sony CDP-X779ES (read my review on it). But, these two are two different worlds, and the sound that they make could be a matter of taste. 779ES has a better dynamic, bass and soundstage (although these are all little differencies) and 555 sounds warmer and softer. Conclusion: extremly nice CD player, fantastic value for the money (much much better than Marantz Cd17 for example).

Strengths:
Totally analog sound - sounds like a good turntable, you couldn't guess on a blind test it's a Sony. Detailed and emotional. Build quality is extremly high, three transformers, A class output, all metal cabinet, 13.5 kg weight... what would you want more...

Weaknesses:
Plastic buttons (although not bad quality), top cover could be better. A slightly better bass response and clarity could be nice, also, no copper on the chasis... but, again, nothing is perfect

Similar Products Used:
Sony: CDP-X779ES, CDP-X333ES; Marantz: CD-74, CD-17; Denon DCD-3300 and many many others

Price Paid:  $400.00

Summary:
The player is very solid and gives you a "warm" feeling for it's construction. The sound that it produces is the best I've yet to test. Beats my DVP-NS900V hands down. Even I can hear the difference. On the negative sides I can think of only two issues: The remote sensor is quite picky about the direction of the remote and the extra weight plate for the CD is a small annoyance. You get used to it, but it never becomes unnoticable 8-).

Strengths:
Good resolution, lcear and precise sound.

Weaknesses:
The Infrared sensor is picky about how you point your remote.

Price Paid:  $440.00 from ebay

Summary:
Heavy weight champion - luxury player. Sophisticated disk drive with clamp, which gives a kind of analogue feeling. Lots of features like max.peak level search. Smoother than the SCD 940 i used before - but i miss a little bit of its agility but not its nervousity.

Strengths:
Built like a tank (14 kg)

Weaknesses:
none at the price - the disk clamp might get lost

Similar Products Used:
Sony CDP X555ES, SCD 940 QS, Mission DAD/DAC-5, Pioneer PD 601