Questions regarding Sony DVP S7700 DVD/CD transport

Captain Humble · « **on:** 27 Jul 2003, 01:59 pm »

Sony DVP S7700 DVD/CD transport Questions:

1. How does it sound without any modifications?
2. What Mods would you recommend?
3. What do the mods cost?
4. Does it play SACD?

General Question:

If I were to purchase an SACD player as a transport, can I hook up a Mensa or Scott Nixon DAC and use the one DAC for both SACD and Redbook?

Thanks

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 02:13 pm »

1. I bought mine already modded by Dan Wright so I don't know how it would sound "stock", but all indications are it is a very good transport "stock".

2. Steve Nugent of Empirical further modded mine and it made a pretty big improvement over the DW modded machine.

3. Call or write Steve, he has a forum here.

4. The 7700 does NOT play SACD.

You can only use them for Redboock. So far SACD players only send an analog signal out, unless it is one of the new machines like the Denon Universal, or Pioneer 47ai universal that sends the digital signal to a proprietary receiver. OK, OK the Denon is propietary and the Pioneer is open..I know....

No external Dacs I know have the DSD decoders in them either to decode a digital signal should an SACD player happen to pass them (like the Pioneer).

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 07:58 pm »

There'll be a new Meitner DAC for SACD pretty soon; it'll work with the transport he'll be marketing or a Phillips unit that he'll mod to add a special jack. Don't hold your breath, could be a few months, and will be about $8k.

I don't believe the Denon will pass a high res signal in any form thru it's digital out. And I'm pretty sure the Pioneer connection is proprietary; it'll only work with one model of Elite receiver.

Another real head scratcher: Lexicon's new universal player doesn't have any provision to pass a high res digital signal even to the companion MC 8/MC 12. At the price they get for those peices that's inexcusable.

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 08:06 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

I don't believe the Denon will pass a high res signal in any form thru it's digital out. And I'm pretty sure the Pioneer connection is proprietary; it'll only work with one model of Elite receiver.

...

Rob, Denon has one that passes a digital signal to a Denon receiver in a proprietary format.

The Pioneer sends one in a format they call proprietary, but I recall reading on AA where some guy broke down the code and it is identical to what the open format was to be ..... As far as I know the only receiver to decipher it on the market is also made by Pioneer, but anybody else could program their pre/pro or receiver to do it.

Most are waiting for a standard to be fully accepted before they do this

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 08:09 pm »

Sorry, Marbles. I thought we were talking about the new 2900. That one doesn't pass hi res. They do make one that does, but it doesn't do SACD at all, just DVD-A. At least that's my understanding- it'd be cool if I was wrong, though!

I'm sure that any 'propriety' link is hackable, but not by the average guy. At least not by me!

Marbles · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 08:12 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

Sorry, Marbles. I thought we were talking about the new 2900. That one doesn't pass hi res. They do make one that does, but it doesn't do SACD at all, just DVD-A. At least that's my understanding- it'd be cool if I was wrong, though!

Damn I hate getting old.....I forgot it didn't do SACD

bubba966 · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 08:13 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

And I'm pretty sure the Pioneer connection is proprietary; it'll only work with one model of Elite receiver.

There's a couple of new regular line Pioneer receivers that have the iLink input. And I think there's still only a couple of their players that have the iLink output, such as the 47Ai, the S858Ai, & S755Ai.

But as they're putting the iLink connection in a few of their regular line receivers, I'm betting that they'll be introducing a few other players in the near future that have the iLink output.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 08:20 pm »

I hope to see that incorporated into lots of components eventually. I'm sure that SACD II will throw a monkey wrench into the works, tho!

I'd love to see essentially a Denon 4803 with a hi rez digilink (Firewire or otherwise) to the 2900/ a new '2903'. That would be an awesome HT/music prepro. Some folks dis receivers as prepros, but the fact is they always come to market quicker, have lots more inputs and cost a lot less.

I've seen some VERY expensive prepro's lately with only 5 digital inputs!

What's up with that?

Captain Humble · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 08:49 pm »

I was thinking about picking up one of the subject units, but after re-reading Marbles comments in another thread regarding the 7700 losing sync I guess I'll pass.

One of the rough things about this hobby is order of purchase. By that I mean my next move was to buy a good preamp. Probably a Tempest. Then I see what looks like a good deal on a transport and I almost jumped.

Thanks,
Jeff

Marbles · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 09:30 pm »

Quote from: Captain Humble

I was thinking about picking up one of the subject units, but after re-reading Marbles comments in another thread regarding the 7700 losing sync I guess I'll pass.

One of the rough things about this hobby is order of purchase. By that I mean my next move was to buy a good preamp. Probably a Tempest. Then I see what looks like a good deal on a transport and I almost jumped.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff, The problem isn't so much the Sony as a transport as the DI/O as the DAC with regards to synch issues.

Dedicated transports like the Cal Delta work well with the DI/O if you never turn them off.

Most other Dacs don't have a problem with the Sony as a transport IIRC.

Marbles · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 09:36 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

I hope to see that incorporated into lots of components eventually. I'm sure that SACD II will throw a monkey wrench into the works, tho!

I'd love to see essentially a Denon 4803 with a hi rez digilink (Firewire or otherwise) to the 2900/ a new '2903'. That would be an awesome HT/music prepro. Some folks dis receivers as prepros, but the fact is they always come to market quicker, have lots more inputs and cost a lot less.

I've seen some VERY expensive prepro's lately with only 5 digital inputs! What's up with that?

Rob, I agree..for me I would use the receivers amps for all surround and side duties and have dedicated amps for the front 3 channels.

My Pioneer Elite 27 TX is quieter than my B&K REF 50.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 09:44 pm »

That's pretty much my thinking. I use a Denon reciever as a prepro with amps for the front 3 channels. When my LeAmp II's arrive, I'll have 3 monoblocs for the fronts and move one of my stereo amps to the rear. A new rec or prepro will be in the works before long, but I'm a little leery of jumping yet, as there's big changes in the wind, digital wise. My rig works for now and is actually really clean sounding. And I don't even have any tubes!

Hantra · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Jul 2003, 03:05 am »

Marbles:

Can you describe the improvements on the Nugent mods?

Thinking about it. .

Thanks!

B

Marbles · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Jul 2003, 03:09 am »

Here's what I said when my memory was fresh

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=1998

Marbles · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Jul 2003, 03:10 am »

I will say that the 7700 turned out so well I might have to try his PT P3a just to see how good it is and how it compares to my Mensa.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Jul 2003, 01:57 am »

I also have an Empirical Audio modded 7700. It is an incredible transport. I am going down the path with him and doing his P3A mod very soon.

I have both the Mensa DI/O and PT P1A/P3A with P3 PS. I have no sync problems at all with the PT stuff which is why I keep in my reference system. I do have problems with the Mensa sync'ing so I keep it my 2nd system.

Steve Nugent at Empirical is the real deal and you will not be disappointed with the modded 7700.

Jay S · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Jul 2003, 02:41 am »

How do you feel the Mensa compares with the P1A/P3A? Do let us know how Steve's mod of the P3A turns out.

Beezer · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Jul 2003, 02:56 am »

I had the smART DIO with a Sony DVP-something and the Cal Delta. In both cases I had synching issues, which contributed to my dumping of the DIO. I now have a modded Phillips SACD1000 and its set of issues.

Just another data point...

Beez