Sony 777ES Cleaning

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

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

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,
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

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