Sony SCD-C 555ES


Just purchased this used, set it up and am disappointed in the performance, both redbook and SACD. Compared to my Cal Audio CL 10 - it has little soundstage, no depth or width, and seems quite bright. I expected this on redbook performance, but it doesn't change much on SACD.
I'm going to assume that the previous owner slimply didn't play it enough to break it in.
If I decide to allow it to run for another 100-150 hours do I have to turn on all my equipment or can I just leave the Sony on alone. Does break-in require your whole sysytem to be on?
danbern3aolco
Hello Not sure of the brake in question but I also bought a scd c555es and was disappointed with it. I returned it under the 90 days and got the money back. I thought it was me everyone at the store said it was.
I also bought it and sold it within a week. It sounded worse than my Kenwood 200cd changer. Vocal through this player sounds as hard as a brick. How this player got stereophile class A is beyond any human logic.
I would let it break - in more.

While I don't own a 555, I do own a 333, and it errs exactly on the opposite side of bright. It is full bodied, rich, and features strong bass, but not harsh highs. Its weaknesses are that in resolution, clarity, detail, and most of all, speed.

And, as yours is mulitchannel, are you sure the player is set up correctly? I have seen many a multichannel player(especially, Marantz) sound pretty bad when playing through the incorrect(and default) mode.
It sounds like the 555 owners who didnt like it either.
1) didnt allow long enough break in.
2) have something in their systems that isnt integrating well with their 555 (cables)?
3) Confuse brightness with clarity.
I have heard the 555 extensively and its a killer SACD/CD player!
Make sure if you are playing 2 ch. its not in multichannel..huge difference.
LONG burn in time,especially SACD mode.
Many have found MIT interconnects to work well with the SCD line.