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Help with decision on selling Sony SCD-1

I've owned the SCD-1 for a couple of years (purchased it used) and have been very happy with how it sounds. However, I don't own but around 20 SACDs, and it's hard to imagine buying many more. Thus, my primary concern is redbook sound.

On the other hand, I've been buying more and more vinyl of late and am thinking about upgrading my turntable rig (NAD-33 and Ortofon OM 20).

It strikes me that if I sold the SCD-1, I could buy a less expensive CD player and have a decent amount of cash left over to invest in my vinyl rig.

The question is whether or not I really can improve upon the redbook sound of the SCD-1 for considerably less money?

I have been told by some the that even the Oppo 971 sounds better than the SCD-1 on redbook, whereas others have said the SCD-1 can't be beat without spending considerably more money.

I'd be interested to hear from folks who have owned the SCD-1 and sold it for something less expensive, as well as others who may some knowledge on this issue. Thanks.
jonathan1257
jonathan1257 OP
82 posts
 
To Dgarretson:

First, thanks for the additional information regarding the sled motor. Second, you commented:

"In unmodified form this CDP is just an average RBCD performer by current high-end standards"

When you say "high-end standards" I'm curious to get some clarification or qualification. The opinions as to what is high-end are all over the map. Some have said their $39 Toshiba 3990 qualifies; yet others might say one has to spend thousands of dollars to achieve this.

Do you believe that I can spend $1000 (or less) to equal or improve upon the RBCD performance of the Sony SCD-1? Would you be willing to share suggestions in this regard?

Thanks for the interesting discussion.
sfstereo
215 posts
 
I have a 777 and recently installed a Superclock 4 and it made a huge difference. A couple of friends heard the difference and since then I have modified three of my friend's 777 players. The cost of the Superclock is about $300 and the improvement it gives is much more than a cable upgrade.
I think it's the best bang for the buck modification for the SCD1/777. It's a pretty simple procedure if you are hany with a soldering iron.
dgarretson
2,594 posts
 
Jonathan,

My point about the SCD-1's RBCD performance was drawn from comparison of a stock SCD-1 to my mid-90s era Theta Pro Gen 5a DAC and PSAudio Lambda II transport. The Theta/PS Audio combo is pretty long-in-the-tooth, but still betters the stock Sony's RBCD. For about $1K you can move the Sony way ahead with an SC4 & some op amp/resistor/cap replacements or power mods by someone like Reference Audio Mods or Richard Kern. Or if you can live with just RCA outputs, for $1500 you can do a replacement FET analog output stage with clock from VSE/Allen Wright. Alternatively, you could keep the Sony stock as a transport and go with a top-quality $1500 DAC like the battery-operated Altmann Attraction.

In a new player $1K or less, I'd be tempted to try the no-budget Oppo with some mods by Reference Audio Mods, or perhaps the Rega that won recent praise in Stereophile.

jonathan1257 OP
82 posts
 
I guess the key point I was hoping make in this thread is that I'd like to upgrade my vinyl setup, say spending around $800-$1000. The funds left over from the sale of the SCD-1 (say another $800-$1000) would be spent on a replacement RBCD set up. Again, I'm not looking to invest an additional $1000 on my digital rig, but rather replace it (if possible) with something equally enjoyable, but less expensive.

The question remains, then, can I replace the SCD-1 for, let's say, $1000 and still be happy with the sound?

Thanks again for the input, folks--I appreciate it.
longho68
69 posts
 
I would stay away from getting the SCD-1/777es modded. Sony does not have anymore Main Board for the SCD-1/777es in production. If you get it modded, you are at a very high risk of throwing it away if something happens to the main board. Here's a direct quote of what Audiomod have to say:

"You were told that the Black Gate cap mods to the Main Board would not be reinstalled because these
boards are no longer available and I did not want to take any risk in damaging the board. Eric was told this as well as you.

Richard Kern
Audiomod"
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