Hello
Thank you for the very good advise. I have to wait for June to carry out the level 7 performance mods for the Sony. The parts are not in yet but when I spoke to Warren Gregoire he said he should have the parts by June. In the meantime I have been doing some research and asking questions. Some people have said when the time comes go with 2 501's, others have said to add another 2102and bridge them. I'm a little leary of having a SS Amp and a tube preamp. Of course there are the MC2301's , but I cannot immagine needing more than 2 2102's would offer. Especially when you consider the price difference. I know what you mean about musical, my 2102 is very musical as is the whole system at this point. Sometimes adding big watts makes the system more dynamic but also a bit lazy to respond to delicate passages and tones. Decisions desicions, in the end I'll probably have another 2102 as well as the modded 777. Your thoughts welcome as always. Hope all is well with you.
Regards,
Nocaster |
Hi,
75% is very tempting. Very. But I agree with you---first priority is the source (and I would include the AC source here---clean pwr gives you clean music). I think you would hear more music given a better source. Another amp will amplify the same sound---perhaps with a little punch like you say, perhaps a little more dynamics, perhaps a little better sound stage, perhaps a little better foundation, but more music??? No, I don't think so. I think you would hear significantly more music and enjoy the results much more so from investing in the source vs the amp.
I'm not saying that a better amp will not make a difference. But a better source will give you significantly more for the money spent. If you could do both, that would be great. But if you have to make a choice, then I would go with the source. Upgrade the amp later. It could be that the sonic benefits of the mods to the 777 would be such that you no longer feel the need to upgrade the amp.
But, again, 75% is tempting---but if it were me, I'd go with the 777 level 6 mod. Your system is very musical now, but think about how it would improve with a better source.
Regards,
rlxl |
Hi again,
I figure I'll send the 777 in for the mods while I'm vacation in June. That way it will be waiting for me when I get back. The other agonizing decision I'm facing is regarding my amp (Mcintosh 2102). Mcintosh has a promo on right now where as long as you trade up they will give you 75% of the retail price you paid back toward your new Mcintosh unit. I'm looking at the new MC2301 Monoblocs, 300 watts per side and tubes! Not sure though has traditionally I have always believed in upgrading source equipment first, such as cartridges, tables, CD players etc...My system is very musical, especially with the Sonus Faber Guarneri. However I wouldn't mind a little more punch, your thoughts are welcome.
Regards,
Nocaster |
Hi,
One other thing: be sure to ask Allen about the "Breath of Life" mod developed by Jim Ellis---I'm not sure if this is counted as the Level 6 mod or just an extra mod, I've lost track of the numbers and the differences. But this is the redesign of the grounding layout of the unit, and is most definitely worthwhile to have done have the unit is in the shop. It, indeed, breathes life into the music.
While I have not heard the latest and greatest and newest, etc. sacd players, my ears and gut tell me that the modded unit sounds like music, so I have to agree with Allen's assessment. As an old vinyl guy who didn't even own a cd player for about 15 yrs (it took me that long to finally breakdown and buy one), this player has really amazed me. BTW: just to give you some perspective when I say "old vinyl guy"---my record collection has about 3-4K albums and my sacd collection is only 3-400 and rbcd is about 1500, but I really don't listen to vinyl anymore. In fact, my TT is not set up at present (I moved 2 yrs ago and have yet gone through the set up for the table.).
Keep me posted.
Regards,
rlxl |
Hello
Thank you for the info. I think I'm going to take the plunge and work it around my holidays so that I don't miss the unit while I'm away. I actually contacted Allen in Europe via e-mail last night, he said that in modified form level 6 or the new 7 the SCD 777ES is pretty much the best sounding player out there. I'm very excited to do the mods. I'll keep you posted.
Regards,
Nocaster |
Hi,
The mods were designed by Allen Wright of Vacuum State Electronics (VSE), and have been the subject of numerous reviews and commentary online. There has been a series of reviews on the various mods to the sony line (SCD-1, 777, and 9000) on Positive Feedback. I believe you can link to most reviews on VSE's website---http://www.vacuumstate.com.
VSE has agents on the East and West coasts who install the mods. I believe contact info is also on VSE's website.
Basically, the mods bypass the stock units' DACs and associated electronics with alternative circuits, modify the internal clocking system and power supply, and modify the grounding layout. The results to both SACDs and RBCDs are spectacular. As I mentioned earlier, I don't miss vinyl at all. The perfomance is at such a level that I don't plan on ever replacing the 777---ie, I'll keep nursing it along for as long as possible. Ck out the write-ups online, and there are several reviews posted on Audio Asylum, including one by yours truly. Let me know if you have questions.
I've dealt with both West Coast agents: Warren Gregoire in the San Francisco Bay Area and Jim Ellis in Seattle. Both have a modest supply of spares for the parts that routinely fail like the laser sled and spindle, and could repair the units when they fail. Both would be excellent folk to confer with and gain a perspective on what the mods will do to a stock unit. www.warrengregoire.com and www.sonicperfectionists.com
Regards,
rlxl |
Hello,
Glad to be of help. Too bad Sony has quick the SACD format, once again hanging people out to dry as they did with Beta vs VHS. Please inform me of the details of the upgrades you mentioned, my machine is 100% stock at this point. Also if you could advise in terms of where you had the work done and the approximate cost. In retrospect now that your 777 has been upgraded, if you had to do it again would you have spent 3 or 4k on a new machine. Perhaps a Moon 3.3 or whatever...........
Regards,
nocaster |
Thanks for the info, Nocaster. I've had my unit for many moons and had it upgraded to the VSE Level 6 and I think it is the cat's meow, but it does show its age. I had the "no disc" display on different occasions and have addressed this my cleaning the lens on the lasers (requires removal of the top cover) with a Q-tip and a little windex. This is the first time I've heard of the "turntable" cleaning. I just did it and it does seem to help. Many thanks.
BTW: I, too, was a vinyl guy. After I had the unit modded by VSE, SACDs compete on par with the vinyl. I no longer miss vinyl when listening to the 777ES...and, the music from RBCD is not too bad either.
Thanks again.
|
Hello
The turntable they refer to in the manual is the little part or platter the actual CD rests on (About the size of a quarter). It has the little brass stem that sticks out in the middle that they brass weight installs onto. It's also a little elevated from the actuall CD compartment base. Basically just open the cover like your getting ready to install a CD, take a DRY Q-Tip and place it on the little platter and while applying light pressure with the Q-Tip place your finger on the edge of the platter and spin it at the same time. I took the liberty of cleaning the platter and the brass section of the platter at the same time. The whole procedure took 3 minutes, now the unit is working perfectly again. Some debris must have built up in this area over the years. Basically the procedure is like a miniaturized version of cleaning your vinyl with a record cleaning machine like a VPI. Let me know how you make out or if you have any other questions. I hope this will solve your problem as it did mine.
Regards,
Nocaster |
Nocaster, I'm not clear on the part you cleaned. What are you referring to when you say "turntable" and how did you access it? Did you use a cleaning fluid or dry Q-tip?
I no longer have my owner's manual.
thanks |
