SCD-1 initial notes - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

squirt · 10-05-2001, 08:35 PM

I finally took the leap and yesterday i received a big, very heavy box which contained my newest toy...a Sony SCD-1 from Oades $2800.00. Originally i was going to get the SCD-XA777ES ($2000.00 from Oades) but decided on the SCD-1 because of its proven reputation as a rock solid performer including its excellent transport...i have no need for multichannel but may need the balanced out someday...As far as build quality i haven't personally seen anything with the quality of this unit...nothing short of astounding...Although its only a little larger than my XA20ES the SCD-1 weighs more than 3x more and i injured my back wrestling the box up two flights of stairs but fortunately is injury is minor and i have a day off to rest...

The only SACD disk i currently own is the sampler that came with the SCD-1 which includes a variety of selections from classical, jaz, and pop. My favorite is Yo-Yo Ma's and Leonard Bernstein's piece. Its much too early to make any judgments on either SACD or redbook but suffice to say the SCD-1 is excellent both formats though i wouldn't doubt the XA777ES may best the SCD-1 at least in redbook due to its new DACs. I'd like to hear from other SCD-1 owners on about how many hours of use it took to "break-in" their SCD-1.

i've been using both the Max/HD600 and A500/K1000 combos with the SCD-1 both with superb results and i'm looking into getting a sub-woofer for the K1000 as some have suggested here.

FYI, i timed the length it took for the SCD-1 to cycle to play CDs/SACDs and it takes about 26 Sec. from the time i press the door close button but if you change from CDs to SACDs it takes about 41 sec. due to the extra time needed to convert formats...if you press the CD/SACD selector button rather than let the player figure it out you can reduce the time to cycle to about 30 sec. As long as it seems i don't mind the wait being that i only listen to music when i'm very relaxed. I didn't realize the door opens from left to right the first time i opened the door and almost got some CDs that i stacked to the right of the door caught between the door and the A500 and XA20ES i have next to the SCD-1. I thought the door slid toward the back...

Anyway, i would welcome any notes or suggestions other SCD-1 owners or anyone else have regarding this player.

jude · 10-05-2001, 08:37 PM

Congratulations! One of my dream components, that SCD-1!

kerykeion · 10-05-2001, 10:09 PM

Sorry to hear about your back.. but of course, playing some of your favorite tunes on your new toy will probably make it feel better from all that spine tingling..

markl · 10-05-2001, 11:10 PM

Congrats, that's a hell of a player!

I've also read that the DACs in the XA777ES may be better, but I'm curious to understand why and how (besides multichannel). Anyone know?

I think there will be a lot of curiosity here about Redbook performance of SCD1. I'd especially like your thoughts on that.

markl

Vka · 10-06-2001, 07:25 PM

The key is the SCD-1 is a top notch transport, one of the best if I am not mistaken. So, if you are not satisfied with the red book performance, you can always get a separate DAC for kick butt red book performance. In other words, there is upgradability possibilties when buying the SCD-1. The XA-777ES although has a better DAC should have lesser build and of course a lesser transport system. Besides that there is always the thought of OWNING the first sacd player ever built. Its definitely a collector's item in my book

Oh by the way, I am at 300 hours into the SCD-1 and its still breaking in. Tell you the truth, out of the box, the thing sounds better than my 800 hours broken in 333ES. And now it just keep getting better.

Last of all, I heard the expensive audiocom mod makes a huge improvement making this player sound like a $10,000-$20,000 source.

jaghouse · 10-06-2001, 08:53 PM

sound like a $10,000-$20,000 source

whoa... thats scary.

squirt · 10-07-2001, 06:09 AM

Thanks all for your comments and input...it seems i still have a long way to go as far as breaking in the SCD-1. I'm planning on taking things nice and slow in breaking in rather than doing the endless repeat route...i'm really glad i did get the SCD-1 which i had originally rejected due to it cost and i had already ordered the XA777ES when i changed my mind and made a frantic call to Oades a half hour latter to change my order...as mentioned before the SCD-1 has already firmly established itself at the top of the heap in both sound quality and construction with a killer transport so there would be no doubts about its performance or furture use as a transport if i want. The XA777ES as good as i'm sure it is remains an unknown factor and i know now if i did buy the 777 i would always have that nagging voice in my head wondering if i should have bought the SCD-1 instead particularly now that the SCD-1 was below my 3K limit. So now i can just enjoy the music without having that nagging voice taunting me everytime i listen to music...