Sony SCD-1:Is it time to tweak or upgrade to new?

If you are going to hang onto it for quite sometime I would mod the Sony. Yes, new chipsets have come out since but, with the upgrades you can extend the "life" of the Sony. I would use both Kern and ModWright as they both have some mods the other doesn't. The mods do make a difference!

I had a lower level Sony SACD player modded by Richard Kern a couple years ago. As we live in the same city, I was able to see his setup. He was running a modded SCD-1. He told me that in his system, the modded SCD-1 was the best sound he had heard, better than his Wadia 860 which he then sold.

I wrote a three part review after Ken worked on mine. You may want to read it, it should explain what to expect. As for a new machine, I do not think you'll find anything as good for the same cost you'll have into the SCD-1 and the mod. I think at even $10,000 you will find it hard to match your machine once it's been modified.

I agree with all of the above although I have the SCD-777ES SACD/CD player. My concern has always been getting back my investment after the mods. I have heard a few of the modded 777s and they sound much better than the stock. I recently compared a bunch of DACs (don't improve SACD though) and each of the ones I auditioned bettered the stock redbook playback of the stock Sony. With so many very good used DACs on the market that my also be an option. If your CDP is still under waranty, you may want to send it back to Sony for a check up before it runs out.

Happy Listening.

I have had a SCD-777 mod'ed by Modwright. The full fledged mod with tubes. The player is quite a different piece. Large improvements throughout, most noticeably in lower grain and hardness. Nice delineation, yet musical. I have not heard the ultra high-cost players, but this modded Sony has bettered my previous digital, CEC/Audio Note.

As a sidenote, my Sony also had problems reading certain cds. Both SACD and redbook. Prior to the upgrade, Dan of Modwright had the unit repaired under warranty, by Sony. Loading still takes time...could clean an album and stylus in less time, but it always gains tracking.