SACD playback, Amazing DVD picture, "Audio Direct" button

none so far...

I recently finished breaking in this player (earlier reviews are right--it takes ~200 hours for the sound in this player to open up). First, let me say that the DVD playback in this player is phenomenal for this price point. I own a Sony DVP-S3000 and I have several friends who own Sony DVP-S7000s and 7700s and this player's picture easily surpasses those earlier pieces. Now on to the audio...As far as the CD-R issue goes, I have tried 5 discs in this player and only 1 of them did not work (my friend who created the 4 that worked says that the burner he uses is a Sony model, I do not know if this makes any difference as to compatibility with this player). The audio quality of the player is tremendous for a combination player. Regular CD playback is on par with most $1,000 players (especially the Rotels I have listed above). However, the SACD capapbility by itself is worth the price of this player. While the sound quality on SACD is marginally less than that of the Sony SCD-777ES, for most people the difference is negligible. When I ordered the unit I also order 5 SACDs from Amazon.com, so that I would have plenty of listening material once the player was broke-in. Most of the titles Sony is releasing right now are reissues of older albums recorded in analog. Unfortunately, most of these titles still contain a lot of tape hiss in them. But, the sound of SACDs is easily comparable to, if not better than, all but the highest end of turntables. SACD presents the "openess and airiness" of analog combined with the convenience and clarity of digital recordings. The two discs that I have used for my many CD to SACD comparisons are Reference Recordings Copland Third Symphony (RR-93, which many of the editors of The Absolute Sound cited as one of the best recordings of the year in the December 2000 issue) and the "Copland Conducts Copland" SACD. It is easy to discern from the "Appalachian Spring" recordings on each disc, one a brand new audiophile recording produced with all the latest technology and the other a recording originally released in 1970, that the SACD version is simply superior and shows what (very small) recording and mastering flaws there are in the Reference Recording disc (note: I do not say these words easily, until I heard this SACD the Reference Recording disc was my "demo disc" and I have spent much time listening to my recording, it WAS one of my favorites). I highly recommend, however, the use of the "Audio Direct" button, I have found this to make a noticeable difference in my system.

One word of advice, many shops in my area refused to discount this piece below retail. A little shopping around (or just do like me and visit Oade.com) will pay off in the long run.

Other components in my system:
Krell KAV-300i integrated amp
Thiel CS 2.3 speakers
Cardas and Kimber cables
ASC Tube Traps

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVP-S3000 & DVP-S7700, Krell KAV-250 CD Player cd/2, Rotel RCD-991 & RCD-971

DVD Playback

SACD Playback

Sony should have never tried to integrate SACD with DVD. Compared to my SCD777ES (for playing SACDs) this things get OWNED. Compared to my Levinson Red Book CD Playback system, this thing get's stomped into the ground. DVD Picture qaulity is superb, but no better then the 7700 unless you use progressive. Bottom line, if you have a reciever audio system with crappy speakers, this thing will do it for you. If you have reference equipment and are looking for an all in one, look elsewhere. If you are looking to just play some DVDs, buy a 7700 - they are selling for like $500 used!!

Everything this beauty is advertised to do.

None found

I hooked this baby up though the DTV component video connection of my Sony KP-65XBR10W and I was at awe. The picture is so film-life and the colors are so vibrant. The details are close to HDTV quality. I thought Russell Crowe was about to chop me up in pieces in watching the Gladiator. SACD, what can I say, CD's sound muddy to me now, I think I'm spoiled! Audio hooked up to my Sony Str-A777ES Analog Direct out toa pair of Klispch RF-3's...simply marvelous.

Similar Products Used:

Old Sony 10 disc cartridge-still working and sounds good.