Sony SCD-C555ES good for redbook?

I like it alot. I am running it with the TAP9000ES Analog Multichannel preamp and a Adcom power amp and Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II speakers. Tried a few mid priced interconnects, and settled on Nordost Solar Wind. Oddly enough the first thing I noticed on the unit was very clean bass response. My Patricia Barber CD's sounded great, the bass lines were clear and clean, and the music has nice timing and pace.

Bad recordings, well, they sound bad. Early '80's rock CD's are wretched, but that is normal, bright recordings can get a little harsh.

I have about 20 of the JVC XRCD's which all sound fabulous on this player. Nice black noise floor, great imaging, and realistic attack and decays on the accoustic instruments.
I'm torn between the XRCD's and the SACD's I don't hear too much between them. The SACD's seem a little quieter and have a tiny bit smoother high end. Both have great bass with this player.

As far as the SACD's go, the rock discs I've picked up have been disappointing, but the Jazz and classical have been great, but it is all old catalog except for the Yo-Yo Ma Solo, which I loved.

Enough audiophile review crap, It's cheap, I paid about $900 at Tweeter on sale and I think I got the TAP 9000 for $450ish from Oade Bros. (Oade was even better on the 555). It's easy to use and very hefty, but if you want multichannel, get ready for a lot of interconnects.

I love it

Jim

Like the unit a lot. I use it with ADCOM AMP/PREAMP/TUNER equipment circa 1990; AR-302 speakers; and IXOS cables & IXOS speaker wire. SACD best sounds from Louis Armstrong Fats and Blood Sweat & Tears. Redbook equally good. Clean, clear, deep, musical all around sound. Purchased the 555, because the 333 was discontinued.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm considering taking the plunge into SACD but also would like a better sound from CD. I currently use a Pioneer DVD/LD as a transport with an Audio Alchemy DTI-PRO32 and a Parasound DAC1000 (20 bit Burr Brown PCM63(?) chips). I enjoy the sound a lot as an overall presentation but would like to get a little better resolution. The Stereophile recommended list has this model as "A" but for the SACD sound only. Not being the ultimate fan of 50's jazz and classical, I would probably not use ths SACD capability that much NOW. Now if I could pick up some Pink Floyd or Moody Blues in SACD, buying the player would be a no-brainer! Tony

Your limited in the SACD's that you can buy. Music Direct (the web-site is not musicdirect.com, but it is either amusicdirect or musicdirecta) is the most complete source, as it is mostly SONY/Columbia & Chesky pushing out SACD's. So, Santana's Abraxas in SACD is the closest so far to 70's prog rock. I am happy with the Sony's playback of redbbok CD's and that was the primary reason for buying it.