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Sony 900ES SACD sound vs CD - Help

I now have a little over 120 hours on my 9000ES DVD. Here's the problem: When I use the Sony as a transport (The digital output fed into an MSB Link Dac 2) the sound quality is MUCH better than the Sony supplied SACD music played through the SACD internal decoding circuits and output form the analog outputs on the Sony.

How can this be? I thought the SACD was supposed to be much better than the CD. Is it possible that the SACD circuits need much more time to break in?

The Sony when used as a transport is almost as good as my SimAudio Moon Eclipse cd player (when also used as a transport) which has a floating suspension.

I have the Sony on a magnetic levitation system which I designed that floats it 1/4 to 1/2" off the shelf.
This isolates the transport and circuitry from low frequency vibration. The result is: better bass, more open midrange, and clearer highs.

I just don't understand why the SACD part of this doesn't sound as good as everyone says it does. Maybe the sampler sacd is very good?

Any ideas??
128x128darrell
kthomas
911 posts
 
Martice - I agree, software is going to have to drive the desire to own a player. I also agree that the Sony 9000ES is the most likely purchase since it's a high-end DVD player to boot.
tmartinjr9589
63 posts
 
I made an error. The Pioneer 37 DOES have progressive video. It is an excellent CD and DVD player for a reasonable price. It doesn't have DVD-Audio or SACD.
darrell's avatar
darrell OP
70 posts
 
Thanks to you all for your responses!!
I did burn in the sacd section for another 72 hours and it did make a difference, now the sound is as good as what I get with the MSB dac and the cd analog output is now within 95% of the external dac. I think with time both the CD and the SACD will continue to improve! I've ordered some SACD disks and will give the SACD another chance to impress.
mikeam
122 posts
 
The cool thing is that if you don't like a format, no one is forcing you to buy the player or even listen to the unit. I bought my SCD-1 in Nov of 99 and I am very pleased with the CD playback quality. I have about 20 SACD's and it is growing. The analogy between the player and the computer is IMHO not realistic as the unit is fully backward compatable with the old PCM format, and despite what some have said, the player does a much better than average job on CD. My SCD-1 drives +$50K worth of amps/pre/speakers and I am very pleased with the level of playback. One thing I have noticed is that power cords make a difference. I use the FIM Gold with great results.

Regards,

Mike
martice
103 posts
 
So in other words you've spent maybe $2,500 - $5,000 to have a better than average CD player(relative) and a SACD player that has limited software and is no shoe in to be around in the near future. I guarantee you that if this format doesn't stick you'll be looking for another DAC to do exactly what I suggest many should do until this format sticks and that's to better the sound quality of your present investment and let the software dictate what your purchase. This is my opinion only and is not meant to sound as if I'm forcing my opinions or beliefs on anyone but there are a lot of vulnerable shoppers on this forum and many others who are easy prey for marketing teams that create an atmosphere that suggests that you must have this new unit and this is the way to go without showing a level of commitment themselves in regards to software. Once again, the only unit I would purchase is the Sony 9000es because of it's progressive scan capabilities as a DVD player which has tons of support. Hey if they don't spend to get this format the proper support it needs to flourish then I'm not going to invest.
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