Sony SCD777ES tweaking

[Historicus]

Hello Mark,
your upgrades seems much more studied (I mean they have an history!) then the late comers in this sector of the market)
Referred to my player the main problems are shipping the heavy equipment from Italia to Britannia with all risks and costs.
Isn't it possible to do an upgrade by ourselves, a sort of upgrade-kit, as Audionote does with their products? I suppose that the answer will be "no" because it's not possible to find the necessary know-how in an average hi-fi technician.
Kind regards,
Piero

[Audiocom AV]

Hello Mark,
your upgrades seems much more studied (I mean they have an history!) then the late comers in this sector of the market)
Referred to my player the main problems are shipping the heavy equipment from Italia to Britannia with all risks and costs.
Isn't it possible to do an upgrade by ourselves, a sort of upgrade-kit, as Audionote does with their products? I suppose that the answer will be "no" because it's not possible to find the necessary know-how in an average hi-fi technician.
Kind regards,
Piero

Hello Piero

There is a company in Italy who have started to use our products and modify equipment like the Sony SCD-1 and Electrocompaniet EMC-1. I have contacted the owner reagrding your enquiry and I am waiting on a reply. This is a new company to us so I do not have any history with there upgrades, services and after sales support. A modification for the SCD-777ES does require a high skill level and I would want to ensure a high standard and professional install can be made before endorsing another company. I appreciate that shipping does involve risk, but we have taken in several Sony SCD-777ES over the years from various parts of Europe and never had any problems. We have a customer from Germany who has shipped his Sony SCD-1 on three seperate occasions for custom upgrades. We can supply certain parts of the upgrade for DIY install such as clock, clock power supply, regulators, Bybee Purifiers. Several years ago we sold comprehensive kits for the Sony SCD-1 with instructions but our approach has changed and we discount the parts for an upgrade package and add a labour charge so the end cost it closer to the DIY price.

Best Regards,
Mark Bartlett

[Historicus]

Hello Mark, I think that the best would be if we have private mail contacts because I suppose not everyone here is interested in Audiocom upgrades from Italy.
kind regards,
Piero

[Marco]

On the contrary, Piero. That is what this section of the forum is about. It means that useful information exchanged is available to any members interested. However, if you wish to conduct your business privately, that's entirely your choice

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

To Mark Barklett

I'm presently using a Sony XB-930E-UK Spec fixed mech till i get unought money together to buy a Snoy SCD-1 machine.I'm actually very happy with the 930 sound even though it's obviously mid-market machine....

The SCD-1 is a truly beautiful machine if not the best looking high end machine this decade.I understand your mods & wanting to promote them, this aside whats your views between the two machines minus SACD?. Please be open as i don't intend spending money on Audiocom upgrades.Please note i have no intentions about playing SACD discs.

[Steve Toy]

Mark,

I think RB means to ask what you think of these players in standard form.

[Audiocom AV]

Hello Rare Bird,

I have upgraded many Sony SCD-777ES/SCD-1 units and they fair very well on CD playback when modified. My opinion when combining CD with SACD is that the ultimate performance of CD is compromised, whether it be because of the more complex analogue filtering used for SACD (as per SCD-1), or the front end digital signal processing. I have always found that a ‘CD only’ player does CD better. The best option with the SCD-1/777ES is to modify it as ‘transport only’ and add an external DAC like the Benchmark DAC1, this combination has very good synergy.

Best Regards,
Mark Bartlett

(Thanks Steve!)

[Historicus]

Hi, I just want to ask if you transform the SCD-1 & SCD-777ES as transport only with an external DAC would it be still possible to hear SACDs bypassing the DAC?

Thanks a lot for your answer!

[Audiocom AV]

Hi, I just want to ask if you transform the SCD-1 & SCD-777ES as transport only with an external DAC would it be still possible to hear SACDs bypassing the DAC?

Thanks a lot for your answer!

Hello

If we upgrade the SCD-1 & SCD-777ES as a transport only you can still use the analogue outputs for CD & SACD. Although the focus of the upgrades is on the 'transport' section of the player (digital), the benefits of this (new clock, Bybee purifiers, etc) will be heard when using the players internal DAC's for listening to CD & SACD.

Best Wishes
Mark Bartlett

[Historicus]

Hello Mark, thanks for your kind reply, but can't I simply use my SCD-777ES/SCD-1 as transport combined with a DAC through the existing digital output with a good digital cable without any tweak on the player? Certainly the SCD-777ES/SCD-1 wouldn't have the benefits of a direct upgrade (to listen the SACD) but in this way it could be for me much easier.
Can you confirm me about the quality of the Benchmark DAC because some here in my country has some doubts on this product (maybe because Benchmark is a more computer involved company as actual hi-fi producers that, referred to their prices, change as Midas king in pure gold). Maybe I must listen to different DAC to find the right one on my gear. Here everyone prices the low costing Oppo players but, in reference to the original SCD-777ES/SCD-1 they don't sound as bad but even worse!

Merry Xmas,
Piero