SACD player as CD transport?

Answering my own thread, I bought the SCD-777ES, which I am using with a Dodson DAC. The Sony has about 800 hours on it. It sounds full and smooth. It also sounds very dark and lacks detail (those two tend to go together). Add to that the fact that the unit is very annoying to use (it takes forever to read a disk and then to read the TOC), and I'm thinking this may not have been a good choice. I hate to start looking for transports in this time of digital transition, but....

As for SACD, it certainly sounds promising, but I think it could sound a whole lot better than it does with this unit. Incidentally, I have found the tonality of the Sony (smooth, dark) holds forth in SACD, transport, and CDP modes. My conclusion: the 777 has a pervasive sonic signature that comes from the transport end, not from the analog output. That surprises me. Am I doing something wrong?

I'm using the NBS Statement Power cord on my SCD-1. It made a huge improvement on the "dark and detail" issue! I've found the balance to be excellant, and the base is tighter and deeper to boot. J.D.

Hmmm. I've tried both a Black Mamba and a Custom House Model 11, or whatever it's called. Not much difference. I'll see if I can get hold of an NBS cord sometime.

"Audiocrazed" posted some improvments on Audio Asylum saying he installed Caddock and Vishay resistors on the 777. I know little about electronics but I have a feeling there is something in the internals of the Sony that contributes to the nature of the sound you describe. His description of the sound improvements sound promising. This tweak thing for the 777 may be worth pursuing. I do know jerking around with power cords will waste your time and make someone else rich-especially if you already use a quality cord.