philips sacd 1000 as a redbook player

Against my modded 333ES (a "Kerned" Level 1 mod + Superclock) both the redbook and SACD sections are better presented on the Sony - with the SACD section being closer between the two units. While its not too fair a comparison as the Philips has just 20 hours on it and the Sony is well run in I find the bass on the Philips a little loose and the soundstage farther back than the 333ES offers - kind of like I'm sitting in the 10th row with the 333ES and the 20th row with the Philips. Perhaps this will change with more time on the SACD 1000...

I had hoped that the stock Philips might "out do" the Sony but the Sony's mods have proven, at least at this juncture, too much for the Philips. Now I am considering having the Philips modded (by whom is not set at this time as each modder would appear to offer their own interpretation of how this unit should be tweaked) and will continue to play the Philips to see how things better with more time.

As my Philips may just be the only unit within Canada I don't think I'd have many problems re-selling (without a loss) if I decide that is the path to take...

i agree qith Rgd because i realized the same sonic problem... it's terrible that many many says how good it gets dah dah dah .... i ran it it for 500 hrs and yes, it got a lot beeter, but it sounds NO WHERE near any 1K+ player. The soundstage is SUPER FORWARD, still... bass is lose, and from low to upper mid-range, it's blurry and has no focus at all... Hi, it opened up but still not yet airy. I will keep it for SACD and DVD, since SACD is still like a clawing baby I will NOT invest further most on any better SACD unit.

oh... also ... a lot of the others are suggesting mods... mod this and mod that, NOT EVERYONE like to get their unit mod. Also, it voids the warranty and lower resale value. Spending $500 on this unit, and another $800 to mod it? You gotta be kidding me! I might as well get a Sony 777 or a Marantz SA-14!

Just a quick note on redbook now that I have about 220 hours on the Phillips. It got ever so slightly better than at the 96 hour level. Opened up a bit more throughout and tightened up on the bottom and low mid end a little more too.

However, the Ah! is still a clear winner. Have to agree with RGD about percieved depth within the imaginary "hall."

As I had a/b'd my Ah! against a Rotel 991 before settling on the Ah! I can judge the Phillips against the Rotel to give an idea of product placement. The Phillips would definitely have beaten the Rotel had I kept that latter unit. So truthfully the Phillips is a great value in redbook at its $399 Tweeters price and probably worth buying as a redbook/SCAD "all in" box for some at the +/- $500 price you can buy through the 'gone.

As a SCAD player (which is, after all, why I bought this unit) it is a keeper and has its place along side my Ah! redbook CDP.

All you people saying the PHILIPS SACD1000 is a good RedBook CD Player should go perform a "Ear Check-Up", as I suggest personally. Maybe some ear-tube cleaning needs to be done. For $399.99 and all that format compatibilities, it's a keeper; for the sound, it's a sucker! For spending $500 & another $800.00 to mod it, and when it breaks down and you all couldnt repair ir because you void your warranty, it will definitely be a lesson!