Being the owner of a 999ES, which I bought last Christmas ('02), I can confirm it does take a few hundred hours to sound its best - AND there are separate run-in periods for both the redbook and the SACD! The SACD will really open up after about 400 hours (approx) but will sound noticebly better after about 300 hours. Also, when you go into the audio set-up menu, look for the "CD audio" and change the setting from 16/48 to 24/96. You will probably want to set it at the latter, esp. if using an outboard DAC like I was. Enjoy! P.S. I think the SACD sounds great given the right recordings. "Most" sound better than their CD counterparts, some are equal and there are a couple that don't sound as good (Santana's Abraxus for one IMO). That is another thread, however:-) Enjoy. -Tony
New Sony NS999ES is in.
It's a day old so it should improve but---
The CD player is competent, on par or perhaps a bit supperior to the Adcom/MSB combo. The SACD is better but not by a whole lot. But it is better. A touch more detail, and depth, etc.
What it does do is make listening to digital not Sux.
Vinyl still hold a serious edge but the gap has closed.
Oddly with the Sony the bass seems better with the CD.
Cymbals and all the air are only slightly better than the CD, and the Sony is slightly better than the antique Adcom, and newly improved MSB link.
So if your wondering about making the plunge, I say save your money for something else.
Will I buy SACD's in the future, you bet, will I replace existing recordings I already own, no way.
BTW I haven't yet done the 5.1 with it. That will come after Christmas.
cheers and Merry Christmas to all
loon
The CD player is competent, on par or perhaps a bit supperior to the Adcom/MSB combo. The SACD is better but not by a whole lot. But it is better. A touch more detail, and depth, etc.
What it does do is make listening to digital not Sux.
Vinyl still hold a serious edge but the gap has closed.
Oddly with the Sony the bass seems better with the CD.
Cymbals and all the air are only slightly better than the CD, and the Sony is slightly better than the antique Adcom, and newly improved MSB link.
So if your wondering about making the plunge, I say save your money for something else.
Will I buy SACD's in the future, you bet, will I replace existing recordings I already own, no way.
BTW I haven't yet done the 5.1 with it. That will come after Christmas.
cheers and Merry Christmas to all
loon