Detail,bass,soundstage and everything else about sound

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CD :GREAT!!
SACD: Don't have time yet because I can't stop going over all my old junk CDs ,the junks sound like treasure now. I really don't care about the SACD at this moment.

It is a bargain for the CD replay alone.

Similar Products Used:

Sony Dvp S9000es,Technics Dvd A10 and Rega planet

Very natural sound

VERY slow loading!!!

This player is simply amazing. I did extensive testing of CD players including offerings from Audio Research, Meridian, Linn, Arcam and California Audio Labs. In order to make sure I was not being biased by reviews in the audiophile press, I took my wife (who has little to no interest in audio) along to audition units with me. Her first assumption was that all CD players sounded the same. She was very impatient at first, but after we listened to a couple of units at high end shops, she started getting into it. Listening together, we were really able to hear the differences between the players.

We started off with the Arcam FMJ because I initially did not want to spend a lot of money given the current format wars. We then directly compared the FMJ to the Audio Research CD2. We found suprising little difference between the two units. Sure there were some differences, but not enough to justify the price difference. Next came the Linn Ikemi. Wow! What a difference this unit made. The sound was much cleaner and more natural than either the Audio Research unit or the Arcam. My wife fell in love with the sound of the Ikemi player.

We then listened to the Sony on a lark. I was not really interested in taking sides in the format wars this early.
This was a really eye opening experience. The Sony SCD-777ES played through a pair of Nautilus 802s was simply stunning. The soundstange, imaging and top to bottom integration were the most natural I have heard in a high end system. It was like being in a club with live performers. This was on both regular CDs and the new SACDs. The new SACDs were clearly superior, but playing regular CDs this unit was competitive with anything on the market in its price range.

Finally I got a chance to listen to the Sony through my Nautilus 801s. My lust for sonic perfection has been satisfied for another couple of years. This combination is unbelievable!

For those who are looking for a best buy, shop on Ebay and/or Audiogon for a new/barely used SCD-777ES and save over $1,000 off of list price. At this price point, the Sony is an unbelievable bargain for playing regular CDs. As an added bonus, it plays SACDs to further improve the music experience.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

However, at list price, this probably does not have the best price/performance ratio on the market.

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I must defend this 'Chu' a little bit.

I agree that he judges too soon. And I disagree on his value for money judgement: even though the CD-quality is not up to the best, you get SACD for free and nowhere have you that build quality.

But about CD-quality: I keep playing and playing in the hope that finally it is 'played in' completely, but I keep rather disappointed. It is not bad at all, but SONY has made beter players. It misses the magic (I don't mean the addition of colour to the sound, I mean some undescribable analog qualities). I gues that the old 77ES and 777Es (I'm sure about this one) as wel as the XA-7ES (the latter I am not sure of)are better on CD.

Can anyone explain why some player althoug newer and more sophisticated of the same brand sound worse? For example: compare the newer 779ES with the older 777ES and you will be surprised by the differences in sound. I can't explain it, the interior looks about the same of these two players.

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Built like a tank, probably the most heaviest unit next to SCD1 in Sony ES series CD Player

No balance output and custom file as with the previous XA7ES or X779ES

A very good CD player to start with the SACD technology, sounds a lot more open in high frequency and smooth. Bass is good but not as good as the previous CD player/separate combo I have. Soundstaging is little better than my Sony X779ES and overall CD performance is smoother(less fatigue) than the 779ES. A very typical Sony product with ultra smooth and quiet transport mechnaism, only one complain that it takes quite a few seconds to read the whole CD/SACD prior playing compared to the X779ES I have. Lack of balanced XLR output may not be too critical if you are not obsessed with it.
It is heavily built, weight almost 60lbs and for the retail price of $2500, that's very presuasive. The remote control(looks like aluminium) is the best remote I seen from Sony.
If I am buying Japanese product, I expect a lot of features built in. While the SCD-777ES does not lack any of those, it does not have the Sony custom file which remember the CD track for each individual CD. On the other hand, it can play either SACD or regular CD. You should give it a listen if you are considering upgrade your digital front end while not having a mega buck for those Krell/Levinson product.

Similar Products Used:

Sony X779ES, Sonic Frontiers T1 and Levinson 35 DAC, BAT VKD5

Finally, digital for poeple who found 16 bit digital un-musical.

Not enough software.

First, I would like to refer you to Robert Lang's comprehensive review of the SCD-1 at this site. Mostly I agree with what he has to say, I have just a few things to add.
I have been waiting for this quality of sound from digital since 1983 when I heard my first CD. Over the years I have purchased a grand total of 120 CDs mostly reissues of jazz big band music I had to have and which I appreciated for their remastering: Thad Jones/Mel lewis, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton etc. But in general I was very disappointed in the lack of beauty in the sound of CDs and the way you felt listening: a lack of ease. These SACD's are different in that they give you a sense of ease. That was the first thing I noticed when I played one, I felt more like I was playing an LP. I don't know if this will be important to the average CD buyer, but it is extremely important to me and I am overjoyed at the prospect of combining the convenience of CD playback with the beauty and musicality of LP playback. I really feel the success of this format will help and energize the high end audio industry.
As a CD player it sounds like 16 bit digital, although it offers a variety of selectable filters one of which I like very much and better than the conventional brick wall type. I enjoy its CD reply as much as I did the Wadia 860, although I did not have both in my system at the same time. I sold the Wadia a month before I got my hands on the Sony. But as I said the Sony playing SACDs is way better than the Wadia playing regular CDs. And for your information the Wadia is way better playing CDs than the Pioneer or Denon mentioned above. I also do not get the sense of ease from the Pioneer or Denon playing 24/96 CDs I get from the SACDs on the Sony.
Should you buy this player? Please do. If you can afford it, why not? The more they sell, the more software we will see. DSD (direct stream digital) will I hope be the future. Based on what I hear with this player I am thrilled at the prospect. It is great sound and it is here now and it is for audiophiles. I think it is mistake to think that there has to be mass acceptance to support DSD. Sony has provided it, they built a heavily researched and well thought out product for us. It is for people who love music
and it probably won't be exceeded in the near future by a cheaper piece of gear. Who's going to engineer a better transport for less money? I don't think they have compromised a lot here, but then I know just how good it sounds and how good it feels to listen to an SACD. Sorry to get emotional, but I'm really excited about this player. And when you put a Shinyata Black Mamba on it it just gets better. The Sony SACD player and the Black Mamba are the two most exciting audio products I have experienced since Ronald Reagan was president. For anyone's information, I do not work in the audio industry nor have I ever nor do I have any connection with Sony. I am retired and I used to be a musician.

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There aren't any. As a CD player, Wadia 860, Pioneer DV-09, Denon DVD 5000.

Richard, no kidding the Wadia 860 sounds better with standard CD play back. It should unless you paid $1800 for the Wadia. My Krell FPB-200 sounds better than my rotel amp also. I can appreciate your opinion but if you are going to review equipment, provide a review that helps others understand your opinion, like comparing other equipment in the same price range unless you find a product to out perform a higher priced model. Otherwise, your review is worthless to other persons considering purchasing the equipment in a specific price range.

Accuracy of individual instuments, soundstage

None so far comparing to other cd players

I must first start by saying I still prefer vinyl. In my opinion, listening to audiophile vinyl (direct to disc, Mobile Fidelity, Classic Records 45) and other quality vinyl on modest tables far exceeds the quality of of even the highest quality compact discs (gold, HDCD) played on the most expensive of CD setups. I jumped on the CD bandwagon in the middle 1980's, but fortunately kept my vinyl. I have heard $1500 vinyl rigs put 10,000 CD systems to shame.

The Sony SCD 777 ES is different though! With other CD systems my maximum listening time is maybe 10-15 minutes. After that, it is time to spin the vinyl. With the SCD 777 ES, I have been able to listen for several hours. I compared several SACD's with the CD counterpart, and in some cases with vinyl. The SACD's sound better by a wide margin over CD's. Some cases the SACD sounded as good as vinyl, other cases not as good as vinyl. Instruments sound life like, and the soundstage is huge. The decay of notes such as on a piano recording sounds natural.

This is the first CD player I would reccomend buying. Before, I would have advised buying the Rega Planar 2/3 or other turntable with even a inexpensive cartridge over a $3000 or more CD system due to the inherant limitations of the CD technology.

I hestitated before buying due to questions of whether or not SACD will be around. Audiophile labels such as Audioquest, Delos, and others have endorsed the SACD format, along with Sony music. Even if SACD does not survive, or if the catalogue is sparse, you would still have an outstanding CD player that should provide years of use. This thing is built like a piece of military gear, it weighs almost 60 pounds. The machine is so well constructed that it requires no other isolation products like the Bright Star or similar products. I tested This with my stethoscope, there was no difference listening through the scope tapping the chassis when using isolation products compared with tapping the chassis placed by itself on my rack. Sure, there are other CD systems such as Meridian, Levenson, Accuphase, and Linn that may sound better playing red book cd's than the SCD 777 ES. But to spend over $3000-$4000 on an inferior format (compared to vinyl) is a waste of money for most people in my opinion, audiophile or not.

With the SCD 777 ES you get a Class A CD player for nearly 1/2 the price of most other machines, plus
you get the technology of SACD which will get you very close to the sound of vinyl with the exception of superior vinyl recordings such as Classic, Mo-Fi, DCC, and etc.

If you call yourself an audiophile or an audio enthusiast, you should at least have a good listen to this machine. If you can afford it, buy it. Highly recommended.

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None-my first experience with the Super Audio format. have owned Denon & Rotel CD players, and listened extensively to other high end players including Proceed & Sonic Frontiers

One of the two best digital players in the world (the SCD-1 being the other)

None

Incredible; as good or better than any vinyl rig I've ever heard with DSD recordings. Much better than excellent cd player - in same league and (I think) a bit better than comparable Meridian and Theta gear (which I direct compared extensively). Need Sony to push software out faster, but in the final analysis, it offers outstanding cd playback at a reasonable price with the added bonus of the best musical depiction available today in DSD releases. Direct comparison with SCD-1 leads to the conclusion that single ended is preferable so save the $1,500 and go with the 777es. And run it all out with the 100mHz custom setting.

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Meridian 508.24, Theta Data Basic and Pro Basic IIIa

Mid-range and bass

Slight treble edge

Hey Boris, I bought one! I compared the 777 (cold right out of the box)to the Meridian 508.24 (demo model) at a retailer in NJ. The system had the Sonus Faber $22,000 speakers (I was not impressed), Krell 350 watt mono blocks, Krell pre-amp (I like the Krell sound but it is somewhat uninvolving over time, very analytical, detailed, focused, up-front sound, great bass control, crystal clear). Cold out the box the Sony was not as open or as airy as the Meridian (list $4000 big ones) but I could live with Sony in the standard CD sound and save a few $$$. The Meridian is now discontinued and the dealer offered me $500 off. When I compard the two units SACD vs CD on the Meridian (auditioned in balanced mode), the Sony sounded more open and airy over the Meridian, almost the same amount as the Meridian player had over the Sony in standard CD play back.

My conclusion, buy the Sony with confidence, not perfect but a good value. I considered buying the Meridian for two or three days (I could purchase a new unit for $2,000 through a friend at the company and had always wanted to but this player) since it did have a smoother CD sound quality. But Boris e-mailed me and told me that the Sony would sound beter with 200-400 hours of usage. In the end, I did not think the Meridian was that much of a better player and the $700 savings is now in my pocket. Hopefully the SACD software will become more available.

I also read a review by an audiophile who compared the 777 to the Meridian on the $1800 Sonus speakers. He and his wife did not like the Sony because of the treble, etc., and were overall "disapointed" with the Sony. As stated above, I could not of had a better system to perfrom my comparision test on and even with the Sony player coming right out of a sealed box, I missed what they heard. Not as airy or open, some SLIGHT treble thinness agreed, and I still choose the Sony. Go figure.

Hope this helps everyone considering the Sony. Value 5 stars, Overall 4 stars only because you can buy a better CD player if you want to spend the money.

Similar Products Used:

Meridian 508.24

Incredible sound

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Like the car ad said, this changes everything. With SACD, the digital 'problem' has been solved. The assaulting, amusical digital haze is completely gone. Listener fatigue is completely gone. What is left is the music.

I ordered this thing sound-unheard and it has exceeded my highest expectations, and, in my 30 years of buying audio equipment, I don't think I've ever had this much fun.

If you are an SACD nit-picker, sceptic, or fence-sitter, all I can say is you don't know what you are missing. You can wait for $1000 players and 1000 SACD's or for someone to win the 'format war', meanwhile I will be listening to my system pretty much as I've always wished it would sound. With my jaw pretty much continually dropped.

I haven't even bothered to try ordinary CD playback. Like a reviewer said, there's no going back.

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Sony XA7ES and CAL Alpha/Delta