[maxwalrath]

I have the 9000 currently but I'm close to making a change that would only require the use of the transport section. I can probably sell the 9000 for about $200 more than I can get a used 7700 for, and I was wondering if this would be a sensible move. There are a lot of people who feel the 7700 is a great transport, but I haven't seen much about the 9000...people only seem to use it as a standalone player. Does anyone know how these compare as transports and as players? Also, if the 9000 is a newer model (I'm not sure), should I give any consideration to laser life? Thanks, Max

[Marbles]

I have a heavily modded 7700, and as a transport it is great.  As a DVD player, my Panny RP91 is better.

The 9000 will be better at video I'm sure, and it can do SACD.

The stock 7700 is a pretty good transport, but modding it takes it to a whole new level.

If it were me I would consider modding the 9000 as a transport.  Was it the 900, or the 9000 that had trouble reading CDR's?

The 7700 has no problem reading CDR's.

HTH

[audioengr]

Marbles is right about the 9000 having difficulty reading CDR's, but I also found some cheap CDR's will not read on the 7700 either.

As for the modded 9000es, it is a superb transport.  It has the cleanest, fastest digital output of any DVD player once it is modded.  The only reason that I do not use one is it's speed.  It takes too long to decide what kind of disk is in the drawer for me.  If you like its ergonomics, you should keep it and have me mod it.  The laser will be much newer than any used 7700, so it may last longer too.

[hanguy]

I had Steve modded my modwright level III 9000ES and the improvement as a transport is fairly significant. There is just more air and extension at both frequency extremes. In addition, the surround sound from DD and DTS also improved quite a bit in HT use. Although it is not fair to compare this heavily modded 9000ES to an unmodded 7700, which I also own, I think this can tell you that 9000es can also be a very good transport.

As to the ability to read CDR, you just have to weight if this is an important feature for you.

Mike

[lonewolfny42]

In the posts above, the subject of laser life was mentioned. Can anyone fill me in about that. You mean its not forever ...if it goes , to much to fix   , I'm in the dark on that subject , Thanks !!

[Marbles]

The average Red laser lasts about 10,000 hours I have heard.

So if you listen 3 hours a day, every day, your CDP will only last about 10 years....as always YMMV  

[bubba966]

I just had a laser installed in a Pioneer deck of mine (due to being damaged by DHL in shipping). And it cost me about $230 total for the laser ($105), labor ($105), & tax (the rest of it).

While that's not the cost of installing a laser in a Sony unit, I'd think it's probably in the same ballpark.

[lonewolfny42]

Thanks  guys for the information ! Something I did not know......not perfect sound forever.....

[Hantra]

I have not seen any CDR that wouldn't read on my 7700.  I mean, even the cheapest ones I have found that you can see through will read on mine. . .  

L8r,

B

[byteme]

I've never had any issues with CD-r and my 7700 either.  The only mods I've done are ERS paper, damping and replacing the power cord.  All relatively cheap and it did improve the player.  I love it, although I've not heard a 9000.  If it were me I might pick up a 7700, sell the 9000 and take the difference in getting the 7700 modded!

[audioengr]

The advantages of the 7700 are:

1) it is simpler, and therefore more reliable
2) lighter weight for shipping for mods
3) No SACD, so less electronics
4) More integrated than a 7000
5) front drawer cover keeps the dust out - important to me up the the mountains...

Steve