Choices for low priced CD/SACD players to mod

soundboy · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 10:16 am »

I don't know if anyone has seen this review, but this one is the first professional one I've seen for the Sony SCD-CE595

BobM · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 01:43 pm »

Quote from: soundboy

While the Pioneer 578 universal player converts DSD to PCM, there is no evidence that ANY Sony SACD capable player, no matter what their price is, convert DSD to PCM. And not even the Toshiba and Samsung universal players do that. I have had my $150.00 Sony SCD-CE595 for about 5 months now, and it impresses me more and more each day. You can also read such glowing praises from websites such as audioasylum.com, head-fi.org, stevehoffman.tv, and of course, the review of the actual player at the below link. ...

So what I want to know is ... why did John Atkinson from Stereophile just buy a Pioneer DV-578A-S as his new cheap reference? Just for Redbook? According to his measurements the signal was just as good as the McCormack universal. But then again, he said the SACD signal there was essentially the same as the Redbook output. Why would he buy a downconverting player? Inquiring minds want to know?

Enjoy,
Bob

Jose Garcia · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 02:05 pm »

Hola Bob and guys.

About next month or so, there will be a review on the TLR-Sony 595 to come. David Robinson from Positive Feedback and Stephaen from 6MoonAudio, are reviewing their units and will post their foundings. There are some post about these units at the Audiogon Forum and AudioAsylum Hi-Rez section.

Maybe you should give it a try too. Paul ( TLR) is working on the Sony SCD-C2000ES ( which I have) too and he said that the final modified unit is even better than the TLR-595.

Jose.

konut · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 06:20 pm »

BobM------Where did you see the reference to Atkinson and the 578? I own the 578 and the stock unit is a fine sounding player IMHO. The down conversion of SACD really doesnt bother me much, as my hearing is not that good. What I'm really interested in is upgrading the opamps and powersupply in this unit as I feel that would make the most significant improvement in the sound of the freqs I can hear. My guess as to why Atkinson chose this unit as his cheap reference is that 1. Its cheap, 2. It measures well, 3. In actually listening, its sins are of ommision rather than comision.

BobM · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 07:17 pm »

Quote from: konut

Where did you see the reference to Atkinson and the 578?

Look in the newest issue of Stereophile - March 2005. Page 5 in the "As We See It" leading editorial. It also appears again in Kalman Rubenstein's articale on Universals, and his follow-up review of the McCormack unit.

Enjoy,
Bob

konut · « **Reply #25 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 08:54 pm »

jholtz · « **Reply #26 on:** 21 Feb 2005, 04:26 pm »

Check out the posts in the Home Theater circle regarding the Sony 775/875. They also mirror my thoughts. I would add the 963SA to the list too. The NS775/875 are excellent performers straight out of the box for audio and video.

I should know in a couple weeks how some selective Blackgate cap installation improves the sound. I'll post when I can offer some thoughts.

Here's a link to the other thread.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16483&start=10

Jim

jholtz · « **Reply #27 on:** 27 Feb 2005, 02:36 pm »

Here's a response I revceived from Oade Audio regarding the Sony NS775 and the cost of their mods if anyone is interested. I'm still waiting on my "home spun" mods. I screwed up when solding in a couple caps and friend of mine is fixing it. I should have the board back this week.

"The 775V mod is 175.00 for a total cost of 325.00 with FedEx ground
shipping. We replace op amps and caps in all the outputs. We use Black
Gates for the 5.1 outs and select op amps for the 5.1 that render a
signal with the highest possible detail and clarity with ultra low noise
and distortion. It delays shipment by several days."

In retrospect, the Oade NS775 player looks like a very good buy.

Jim