Anyone listen to the new Accuphase DP-77 CD Player

I have one of the first units that made it to the US so far. It replaced the DP-75v. Sound is more open and natural on redbook cds. CDRs play well and lose some of their inherent brightness. Overall a big step up from the 75v.

Should point out my bias for Accuphase since I am a dealer, but I prefer it to my other brands. Can't wait til it is broken in.

Retail is $8,000 and they should be ordered if you are interested as they may be in short supply for a little while.

Any questions feel free to e-mail. I will respond after the weekend.

Steve 248-626-2780
soundsuperior@hotmail.com

How does it compare to the DP85 ? (on SACD and redbook)

Cheers

The sound of the 85 and 75V are very close on redbook cd's. The 75V was dropped due to the unavailability of the transport mechanism. I am very confident that the 75V will remain as the best dedicated redbook cd player in the history of Accuphase (85 and 77 both play SACD). On the premise that the 75V and 85 are similar on redbook, I don't see the 77 as better than the 75V because the 85 remains in production as $16K retail. My caveats are: (1) I own the 75V and (2) I haven't heard the 77.

I've read the trepidation that some feel over Accuphase's discontinuation, after the 75v, of the Sony transport. Is this based on the belief that Accuphase would use an inferior subsitute (and what ARE they using, Philips, CEC?)?
Also, does anyone know if the 85 uses the new mystery transport, as the 77 must? Lastly, it will be interesting to read the perceived differences heard by forum members between the sonic qualities of the three. For one, I am curious how well the 85 will continue to sell if it turns out to have only minimal superiority to the 77. After all, $8k (the difference in their msrps) is a nice stack of hundreds.

As far as i can see, the only differences between the DP85 and 77 is the teflon coating and the DAC (the 77 has the 'plus' designation, whatever that means, and just the 4 in parralel, while the 85 has 6).

I am really curious as what the differences are, because as Jayme says, $8K in MSRP has to come from somewhere, and at the moment i just cant see it in the documentation ive read. As an owner of a DP85, i sure hope there is some tangible (on the ear at least) difference or ill be pretty ***** off (the DP85 has only be out for a year !!!).

Cheers

PS :
I believe Accuphase are actually using a proprietary transport in both the 85 and 77, but i could be wrong.