Sony SCD 777ES Really that Good???

On redbook CD, I imagine your transport, as modified, and a GOOD dac, can outperform the Sony in its stock form, principally because the Sony's analog output stage sounds like, well, a Sony, good but not great. Figure the sound quality of the Sony to be in the Wadia 830/850 league, probably. But your transport/dac can't play SACD, which significantly outperforms CD when played through the same output stage, and if you modify the Sony with the superclock, etc. (see the various threads now about modifying SACD players) it will outperform most if not all CD players out there, depending on how much you're willing to pay to have changed.

Rcprince is right. SCD 777ES with mod will outperform most if not all CD players out there and you have SACD benefit for your future.

I got an SCD-777ES a couple of weeks ago. Before I bought it I listened to LPs almost exclusively. I find I have been listening to a lot more CDs and SACDs since making the jump. Even redbook CDs sound considerably better but SACD is darn close to the sound quality of vinyl. There are many mods out there for the SCD-777ES which look pretty good. I've been tempted but so far I've resisted. If you can buy a good SCD-777ES used go for it. I doubt you'll be disappointed. If you go with some of the mods, let me know what you think of them.

Boy Nrchy, I wish my 9000 ES sounded that good. My analog still murders it.

Either my analog is better than yours or the 777ES is a lot better than the 9000ES