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Review: Sony SC-D777es CD Player

Category: Digital

I was looking to compare a modded Sony to my non-modded Sony in order to determine if I wanted to go that route or go with a better external DAC, or another CDP. The other day, I got the chance to compare my non-modded Sony to the same Sony SCD-777ES with a mod from Jerry Osment, which was a tube analog mod that works for both redbook and SACD playback. I was told that a new clock was also installed and that the mod basically bypassed the Sony analog section so the mod comes directly from the Sony digital front end.

The system is dedicated for classical music but I did bring a Pat Barber and James Taylor CD just to use to compare some music I was more familiar with.

Simply put upon hearing the first notes, the modded Sony made my non-modded Sony sound like the sound was coming through a cardboard tube, like the ones that you get from paper towels. It was a bigger difference that my Sony 777 versus my 10 year old 10 disc Sony ES CD player. Between the 10 disc player I could hear differences such as better high frequencies, better bass, clarity, etc., but not like the entire sound stage caved in. Now I wish I had a modded Sony to bring home to my system to spend more time with and compare again.

So what did it sound like, well, very natural, much more dynamic, and the piano notes, etc., had more weight behind them as well as all other instruments. This was a humbling experience. I would never have beleived this because I never felt the Sony was that far off some of the best players, boy was I wrong, not even on the same planet, really.

I also did get a chance to compare both Sony 777ES players to the Forsell transport through the Purcell upsampler into the Audio Logic tube DAC. That was an even more magical sound on redbook CDs than the modded Sony but not to any great degree, just warmer sounding and more musical. The modded Sony really was modded for classical SACD music reproduction. I was told that the Forsell was a great transport and that it held an edge over using the Sony as a transport into the same Purcell and Audio Logic setup.

Hearing a system with 4 amps and 2 preamps with separate power supplies, cross-overs and separate subs was very eye opening. I had never hear a soundstage or reproduction of depth in a system like that before. The subs were played 6 feet back of the speakers which were placed for nearfield listening. The system was configured for classical music and less for imaging.

The point is, I really undestand what a better front end does in a system and how much the Sony mods can offer me. Probably better to mod the Sony (more cost effective) than to buy a better CD set-up, and if the mod can improve upon the sound of the SACD, even better. BTW, the Osment mod was around $1200. I am not sure if he is even doing the mod anymore but the price would probably be increased.

Hope you enjoyed this and Happy Listening.

Associated gear
Jadis preamps (2) separate power supplies (2), Jadiz tube mono blocks (2), (2) SS mono blocks, customer made speakers with separate subs (2) Sony SCD-777ES modded by Jerry Osment (tube analog mod), TG SLVR power AC, NBS top of the line ICs, Forsell CD transport, Purcell upsampler and Audio Logic DAC. Custom speaker cables tri-wire with custom cross-overs, inner tube tweaks with silicone and sand filled bases. All cables has isolation devices.

Similar products
Standard Sony SCD-777ES
bigkidz
edorr
714 posts
 
Dollysowner, Jerry Osment firm is Audio Logic, based in new canaan, CT. You can call him at (203)966-1732. I can tell you for a fact though he does not do the SACD upgrades anymore though, since I just got of the phone with him.

RCprince, thanks for your reply. This puts me in a difficult position since I do in fact own a CEC transport, and do not want to take a step back (as you suggest I would be) on redbook by replacing it with the Sony as a transport. I also do not want to have a third (I also have a DVD player) transport just for playback of yet another format. Was the transport section of your Sony also modified? Is there anything that can be done to the Sony to get it to the level of the CEC that you're aware of? I spoke to the Sony modifiers and they seemed to be confident it can easily be done. Interesting point about upsampling, I considered going down that route, but according to Jerry this would make no difference over his converter. There are no easy answers here, thanks again for your input.
rcprince
3,074 posts
 
Edorr: Funny you should mention having three transports, that's what I have too! And I really only listen to a couple of DADs too-I'm very frustrated that format never got off the ground.

I didn't have the transport modified, mainly because I had the Forsell. I would imagine someone could modify the Sony mechanism to make it sound like someone else's unit, but I personally wouldn't want to take that chance. The CEC and Forsell units are pretty much special pieces, they really do mate well with the Audio Logic, and they're much nicer looking too!

Sorry I can't help you with your quandry. While I very much prefer SACD playback, as well as analog, to CD, I do have a large CD collection and prefer to maximize the enjoyment I can get out of it. I think the CD playback system you've got certainly does that.
bigkidz OP
3,397 posts
 
I hope that Rcprince has answered the majority of everyones questions. Rcprince's system is quite substantial with basically four distinct channels, high end cabling, ioslation devices, etc. His speakers (with separate subs for each channel) and tri-wired front tweeter, rear firing tweeter and midrange are excellent for the type of music he prefers. Prprince also told me that Jerry does not believe in upsampling with his DACs but Rcprince has advised that the Purcell does add to the sound mostly for its filtering, as he wrote above. If I had the CEC or better transport than the Sony, I would get a tubed DAC (I want to add tubes in my system) and try an upsampler and that would be that. My comment implies that you will not know what you are missing until you compare them in your system side by side. In my system, Rcprince's CD set up would be it. I do not have that extensive of a SACD collection so unless you see the SACD format taking off, I would stay with the best CD player set up. I have never heard the Linn 12 but I would think that CD will never approach the top SACD format in the sound quailty that Rcprince describes.

For some of us who already own the Sony, the mods are cheaper than getting Rcprince's CD set up and if they can also help SACD playback, the better. I think that Dan Wright offers a tube output for the Sony for around $3000. So that maybe the cheapest option if you want to get into a tube CD player.
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