Sony recently introduced an SACD only model here in the UK which retails around $600 and has many of the attributes of the more expensive models (if not the finish and filtering) and sounded quite good. I have not yet experienced the combined SACD/DVD player, but I'm sure a lot of the positive aspects of the more expensive models have "trickled down" into the cheaper models to our listening benefit. Regards, Richard. |
What model/make offers SACD AND DVD-A? I am curious to know. |
CW, I believe you will find that the SCD-1, as well as the 777, are already discontinued. There is a thread at the Audio Asylum that highlighted current and future plans based on some press releases.
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/bbs.html
To answer Joyfulsound, I don't think that there is one that exists. Could be wrong, but I haven't seen one yet. |
Joyfulsound--Massvm is correct. The Sony 9000ES plays SACD and DVD-Video (such as the Classic and Chesky 24/96 DADs), but will not play DVD-A discs. Still too early in the format competition for Sony to admit DVD-A exists! CW, there are a lot of posts saying the new Sonys are and are not better sounding than the earlier units; my view is that as Sony always builds to price points, the flagships were built to higher standards to show what the medium is capable of, now they're going for the mass market, compromising where they have to in order to make their profit. While the difference in sound may be debatable, the build quality of the more expensive units isn't. The 777 I bought is very well made, sounds competitive in its stock form with units in its original $3500 price range, and also makes a decent transport if you find its sound a little too polite for your tastes. At the deep discounts people are selling them for, I'd say they're an attractive option. |
Massvm:
The SCD-1 has not been discontinued as far as the current press releases are concerned. According to the dealers, the 777 has indeed been discontinued. |
Gmorris, and others, I stand corrected. Thought I read that, apparently not.
Senility is a tragic thing ... especially at the age of 22. No wait ... that was 1980. |
I read in the April issue of Stereophile that Sony dropped list price of the 777ES from $3500 to $2500. This sounds like an inventory correction move if they also ceased production (not mentioned in the article however). |
Joyful sound,Pioneer has a SACD/DVD -A player that
costs just under $5000. I went to their USA website,but it was not listed here yet. |
ok, lets clear some things up. first of all, the scd-1, 777es, and marantz sa-1 have all been discontinued and what is remaining in the field is it. the drop in price was sony's way of saying "we know you'll like this format so we are going to drop the price so more people can experience it." inventory correction had nothing to do with it cause every mail order company that had them sold out in a day and some even had waiting lists (save a few companies who always overcharge). at one point the 777 was available for 1500 but after discontinuation they were hard to find for that and then the ones you did find were $2500+. as for the combom sacd/dvd player, it only plays dvd-videos and chesky dad's. no dvd-audio cds will work with it. the units all use very different transports as well. the 777/scd-1 and sa-1 all use the sony top of the line transport, whereas the 9000es uses a different unit. the one in the the 777/scd-1 will be the same one used in the krell, classe, etc. it is already being used in the $28,000 accuphase. as for being obsolete, i think the term you are looking for is "legend" or "classic." these two units (especially the 777) will definitely be remebered and possibly hold their value very well for some time to come. |
in response to the pioneer unit, while it seems great that it does it all, this unit downsamples dsd (sacd) to pcm, so basically all the advantages of sacd are thrown right out the window. it will still sound better than regular cd but even the cheapest model sacd player you can find will beat it in sacd performance. |
Adhesiv, if you're still sticking around, I have a question for you. You seem to have some knowledge on the current info. Concerning the Pioneer SACD/DVD-A, why even bother having an SACD player at all? Is the PCM just for digital out? It doesn't make sense Pioneer would produce an SACD player and not provide analog output from the DSD bitstream. I would liken it to using a telephone to transmit Morse Code. |
I just got a Sony 777ES! Holy CRAP! As soon as i hooked this 60lb monster up the sound difference was SO obvious it made the hairs on my arm stand up. This is a regular red book cd. the SACD is a whole 'nother story. I got mine used for 1,500 (oade was selling them new for that price not too long ago but are all out). I was a sony snob (hated the company for various reasons) but now i dont know what to think. This player is unbelievable! I played a cd for a non audiophile on it and she said 'wow, you can hear more of the music.' exactly.
I think adhesiv is right, this is destined to be a classic. i'm sure the sacd players that replace this model wont have the build quality near the 777es. seems like sony went overboard as a statement to the new format. once it catches on (if ever) the players will cost $150 and weigh 6 pounds like most cd players today. read reviews at audioreview.com if you're thinking of one. some good comments, better than i can provide. but still...holy CRAP! |
You guys, knock it off. Soon you will find the scd-1 and 777es prives go up and my tax return is coming any day now. At least can you hold on for couple of weeks? Seriously, with rave reviews on this post, stereophile A+ rating and all, even my stubborn attitude to not upgrade is being swayed! |
The SCD-1 and 777 were expensive players to build and have outstanding sonics. I bet Sony lost money on each sold.
I suspect the second generation will be like when Sony came out with the DVP-7700 to replace the DVP-7000 DVD player. The 7700 added a couple significant features (like DTS output), but the 7700 was obvioulsly cheaper to build and many concluded was not as good sounding. I hope Sony won't repeat this. BTW, Sony's third generation flagship DVD player, the S9000ES, kills the 7000 and has more features that the 7700. I do not know if it's cheaper to build than the 7000, but has a higher list price.
The second SACD generation will be cheaper to build, cheaper to buy, multichannel, and include bass management. I lood forward to the second generation. I just hope the C555ES scheduled out in April is as good as the 555ES that already has been released in Europe. It's getting rave reviews. I hope the 777 replacement scheduled to be out this summer, equals or surpasses the sonics of the current 777.
The SCD-1 has not officially be discontinued and they're still available for purchase. Several mail order firms sell them under $3K. I've not heard about a SCD-1 replacement. |
SCD-1 SUPERIOR, BUT EMAIL ME FOR TWEAKS TO MAKE IT GREAT!!! |
