best cdp under 1000

dawkimi · « **Reply #20 on:** 29 May 2003, 12:21 am »

Where can one find the Sony DVP S7700? I'm assuming they must be purchased used (perhaps on Audiogon?). I currently have a Philips 963SA I'm using as a stand alone player and am wondering how it would compare as a transport versus the Sony with either of the DACs under debate (Nixon Tubedac and Mensa). Also, there is a post about a new BV Audio product (SR 10) that seems pretty interesting and claims to potentially eliminate the need for any outboard DAC and interconnects(taken with a grain of salt). Thanks for providing any information.

Mike

JohnR · « **Reply #21 on:** 29 May 2003, 03:24 am »

Costwise, the Mensa is 130+410+125 (DIO+mods+PSU) = $665. The TubeDAC is $350 if you buy it assembled and much less if you build it from the kit. The DacKit (same but without the tube) is $250 assembled, around $80 plus chassis, PSU etc if you make it yourself.

I'm curious that no-one has auditioned the DacKit. I guess I should get off my butt and assemble mine

Tyson · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 May 2003, 04:17 am »

The Nixon DAC benefits tremendously from a better power supply, so if you go w/the Nixon, get a very good PS to go with it. With the stock wall wart I find it above average in performance, but far from "great". When hooked up to a good PS it sounds much much better.

Jay S · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 May 2003, 04:18 am »

As mentioned before, don't underestimate the importance of a good transport. It need not be expensive - the Sony 7700 and CAL Delta have gotten very high marks and are around $300 used.

I recently compared a universal player vs my Cary as transports to my Mensa Plus. The universal does a lot more (DVD, SACD, DVDA), and is much cheaper than the Cary ($3k list) but the Cary is a much better transport.

I think a 7700 is a great idea -- great transport, plus you get DVD for free.

audioengr · « **Reply #24 on:** 29 May 2003, 05:10 am »

Dawkimi - I would seriously consider a new transport if I were you.

The 7700 with the right mods is an excellent transport. I use it as a reference myself. I do the mods. The digital mod improves the jitter on both the SP/DIF and the Toslink outputs.

Combine this with a Perpetual Tech P-3A with my mods and you'll have a giant-killer for sure.

The cost is:
Used 7700: ~$300
7700 mods: $300-$500
Used P-3A: $300-$400
P-3A mods: $500

Total: $1400-1600

Performance is equal to SCD-1 ($3000) with $3500 in mods.

byteme · « **Reply #25 on:** 29 May 2003, 02:46 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

Byte:

I'd be very interested in your findings as well. . .

My DI/O was probably jet-lagged or something b/c it was very far behind the Nixon, as well as every other DAC in the shootout. . It was the same in my own system as well. . .

When are you getting it?

B

Hantra, I'm on the list for the in home test but don't know where on it or when it'll show. There are two things I'm looking forward to, one is obviously the comparison and the other is how the Tubedac performs with with the Bolder power supply. I will definately keep everyone posted.

Quote from: dawkimi

Where can one find the Sony DVP S7700? I'm assuming they must be purchased used (perhaps on Audiogon?).

I got mine on ebay for $215 shipped. From what I've seen that's a pretty low price, however, I think I lucked out because the guy who had it posted as Sony 7700 instead of DVP-S7700 or S7700 or something like that. They show up on audiogon pretty regularly.

Quote from: Tyson

The Nixon DAC benefits tremendously from a better power supply, so if you go w/the Nixon, get a very good PS to go with it. With the stock wall wart I find it above average in performance, but far from "great". When hooked up to a good PS it sounds much much better.

Scott has been working on an upgrade to the wall wart and has one available now. It's housed, from what I understand in either the same or a similar looking plastic case as the tubedac is. I am in the process of getting my hands on one of these right now.

Whichever you all decide on I think it's hard to go wrong. I don't have personal experience yet with the Mensa, but from all accounts it's a great product. I do know, that for half the price (or >$200 less w/ upgraded power supply) the Tubedac is fantastic.

Carlman · « **Reply #26 on:** 29 May 2003, 03:36 pm »

My only issue with buying a used Sony DVD player is that I don't know how long it will last. I and 2 friends of mine bought NEW Sony's that only made it a year before they died. I've had other bad luck with Sony so, I'm steering clear of that brand at the moment.

I currently have a Pioneer DV-444 that's been going strong for a couple of years. So, I decided to go with a brand new DV-656A and then getting Dan Wright's mods.... which works out like this:
DV-656a: $120 (free shipping)
Dan's level 1 mod + Bybee power supply: $385
Total: $505

Is it a world beater? Will it best the 7700? I don't know... but, if it's 90% as good and lasts an extra few years, I'll be happy.

I'll post a review comparing it to the unmodified DV-444 after the mods are done.

-Carl

hoxuanduc · « **Reply #27 on:** 29 May 2003, 05:52 pm »

$120 including shipping? What a tease!!!

Please, can you let the good folks here know where they may acquire them?

Thanks,

Duc

jcoat007 · « **Reply #28 on:** 29 May 2003, 06:30 pm »

Is there a 7700 and an S7700? I see them out there with and without the "S".

byteme · « **Reply #29 on:** 29 May 2003, 06:48 pm »

Quote from: jcoat007

Is there a 7700 and an S7700? I see them out there with and without the "S".

The actual model is the Sony DVP-S7700. This replaced the DVP-S7000. I found the one I've got listed as a Sony 7700, in the picture it was clear that it was the DVP-S7700 so I snapped it up. I had no other bids. I mention this only so that if you are searching make sure you look for both and not just S7700 or DVP-S7700. Lots of times you find some pretty good stuff that way!! With or without the "S" they are the same unit, as far as I know.

Carlman · « **Reply #30 on:** 29 May 2003, 06:55 pm »

Quote from: hoxuanduc

$120 including shipping? What a tease!!!
Please, can you let the good folks here know where they may acquire them?
Thanks,
Duc

Absolutely! I called just to make sure this wasn't a refurbished unit.. it's brand new.
Best deal I've seen:
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=542451

soundguy3 · « **Reply #31 on:** 29 May 2003, 09:42 pm »

Does anyone have this player, and if so, how does it sound?

SGuy3

subhuman · « **Reply #32 on:** 29 May 2003, 10:16 pm »

audioengr - any reason you suggest getting a different transport than the Philips? I loved the way it looked and it sounded pretty nice on SACD (better than any Pioneer) ... What do you personally look for in a transport?

JackStraw · « **Reply #33 on:** 29 May 2003, 10:44 pm »

Has anyone here compared the Nixon and Mensa units to modded MSB DACs? I'm happy with my Stan Warren modded MSB, but I haven't had the opportunity to compare it to much. Anyone have experience comparing these?

Jay S · « **Reply #34 on:** 30 May 2003, 01:22 am »

I think the 656A is a great deal, esp at $120! Ric Schultz (www.tweakaudio.com) mods the Pioneers and says:

Quote

The difference between the 45A and 47Ai is very little. They use the same transport, basic power supply board, mother board and output board. The 47Ai has a better video chip, has more video outputs, has a taller chassis and two steel plates bolted on underneath to make it more heavy. The 47Ai also has the Legato Link upsampler/bit expander chip in it.

The DVD 656A is the same machine as the 45A but without SACD capability. Modified it sounds identical to the 45A. This neat DVD-A machine can be bought for under $200 mail order.

So, essentially, if you're interested in a transport the 656A is the same as the 47Ai for as little as 1/10 the price ($120 street vs $1200 list). Admittedly, the street price for the 47Ai is something like $800.

Tweak1 · « **Reply #35 on:** 30 May 2003, 11:08 am »

FWIW- I have tried many different digital separates (including jitter devices). The whole is seldom as good as the sum of the parts. Why? The basics. They all need proper isolation, proper power cords, and especially-proper power conditioning. For too long I put the cart before the horse thinking better dac, transport, jitter device, moding them would take me to musical bliss. All I did was fork over a lot of hard earned dough. By the time you add all the ancillaries up, you are easily pushing $3Gs.

Digital seems far more dependant upon high quality power than analog. The digital output sections are universally compromised, unless one is spending huge bucks, like on dCS gear. My current rig is a Sony 9000es (SACD/DVD/CD Player), a BVaudio SR 10 Sound Refiner (an absolute must), plugged into a PS Audio UO-HO, which is plugged into a B-P-T 2.5 (as are my amp/preamp, tuner, powered sub). It's about the same amount of money, but the sound is fabulous. BTW, I am getting the new version of the Xindac SACD player (<$2K, tube output) in any day, so you might want to check in with me. The build quality is comparable to Mark Levison, Krell, Accuphase, but at 1/10th the price.

cjr888 · « **Reply #36 on:** 30 May 2003, 12:28 pm »

Folks,

Did a quick search for the DV-656A and found a place that has them for $89. Heck, I'm tempted to grab one at that price. Outside of the posting for ~$120, everyone else seems to be more in the $140-185 range.

Here's the link:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/digistyle/pioneerdv656a.html

Carlman · « **Reply #37 on:** 30 May 2003, 01:32 pm »

Free shipping too..... dang! I had to fill out a rebate for my free shipping.

On the bright side, it's already been shipped and should be here Monday via UPS. Make sure they have it in stock.

I've asked for a 'price match' but, I doubt I'll get it. Oh well... I paid $350 for my other Pioneer DVD player when it was a brand new model. So, 120/90... it's all pretty cheap.

Thanks for the comparison info, Jay... that's making me a feel a bit better about this player.

blizzard · « **Reply #38 on:** 30 May 2003, 03:29 pm »

Hi,
Can anyone comment on the video quality of the DVD-656A. I know the audio mod potential is very good. But, is the video ok or sub par?
Thanks in advance

byteme · « **Reply #39 on:** 30 May 2003, 05:29 pm »

Quote from: blizzard

Hi,
Can anyone comment on the video quality of the DVD-656A. I know the audio mod potential is very good. But, is the video ok or sub par?
Thanks in advance

The DV-45 and 47 ranked near the bottom of the Progressive DVD shootout - http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=5 - however, for $80 I'm thinking the 656 isn't progressive? I know nothing about it other than this. However, for the price, you could easily pick up a Panny CP-72 if you can find one for video only. I've got an RP-82 for DVD which is awesome video wise but rather ordinary or worse for audio (CD's).