I just got a good deal on a Sony D-E565 pcdp and I thought I'd let you guys know in case the deal might be in your neighborhood too. To the Honolulu crew: this was from a place here in Honolulu called Audio Life.

Anyway, I'm impressed with what I got for $70. Usual retail, (according to the store), is $150. Don't know if its being discontinued or not, though I could not find it on the Sony site.

It came with rechargeable AA-sized Ni-Cad batteries, an a/c adaptor, and cheapy headphones that came with a detachable remote. The remote contains play, stop, skip forward and back, hold, and volume. Any headphone will plug into the remote jack so you plug your favorite cans right into them and toss the cheapy ones in the drawer.

The batteries charge surprizingly quickly, or you can use any AA sized battery.

The unit can be programmed to skip, repeat, etc, comes with 40 second ESP, and two levels of bass boost.

There is also an optical output (MD type), and the headphone out is rated at 15mW and it drives my SR225's way beyond safe listening levels.

I don't have a golden ear, (yet), but seems to sound better than the old pcdp's it replaces.

I'm looking forward to my JMT amp to add to it.

I think its worth the buy if you need a new pcdp.

http://store2.yimg.com/I/electronics...k_1658_4860919

The link is to a large picture of the D-E565

Ahh, that player. Yes I bought one for my dad about 2 years ago, the blue variation. I found that there was no difference between it and my D-465, except that the bass boosts were much more usuable on the 465 than on the 565. Given the volume level however I got out of the 565, it indeed does have a 15mw amp, as I could drive 'phones with the same volume I drove them from my 465, which also has a 15mw amp.

Hmm, this is the second time I've heard of Audio Life...I've gotta hook up with one of you dudes that got a car, and maybe we hang out and go check this place out.

I went into Shirokya the other day in Ala Moana, and noticed that the Panasonic MP3/CD player is out. Dunno how good it is, but it was there. I expect them to sell out of it soon as most of the buyers would probably be typical 128kbps MP3 teenagers, and Panasonic is just a much more recognizable brand. It's also darn cheap at $129...I'm tempted to pick one up except I'm waiting for the Sony one. Also got to take a close look at the current Sony 925...boy that sucker is *small* for a discman. Too bad it doesn't sound very good though. Also for those willing to splurge...there are Sony D-777s available at this Shirokya, HOWEVER they are selling it at the whopping nearly full price of $389. With the age of that thing, and that they were selling the D-905 new a while back for $150 (I'm still cursing myself for not nabbing one) you'd think they'd try to blow it out already for $100 or below. MDR-E888s are also there, but at $79.99.

Holy crap, thats the discman i'm using right now, except the model is 561, so i guess its a little older (i picked it up 2 yrs ago i think). Guess i got lucky to have this unit since the newer ones have weaker HP outputs. Sweet isnt it?

George

yours is the same one but without the remote i think, so it should be the same age.

Is that Audio Life, or Video Life behind CompUSA?

Dang, yeah, thats Video Life behind CompUsa. Man, what a one track mind or what?

BTW, I just found out my JMT amp might be done this week! Woo hoo! I might have to go back and audition those 580's again.

Hmm, Video Life huh...man I gotta go check that place out.

Yeah, that store is pretty cool. Lots of stuff, I got my Sony 6.1 receiver, (STR-DE1075), from there and a set of speakers. The receiver was $100 less than other places locally, and the speakers I got for $600 were 5 satellites and TWO powered subwoofers. When the same set of speakers were first introduced they originally retailed for something like $1400.

Of course you're aware that Video Life is only one block away from Audio Lab???? Might as well stop there while you're in the neighborhood!

LEAVE YOUR CREDIT CARD AT HOME!!! Just bring $69 plus tax for the pcdp.

Thats the spitt'n image of my 556. Anybody know the part number of the remote that works with these? I use it in our van on trips and the remote could come in handy.

Well, I finally got to check out Video Life. And oh my goodness. They had the Sony SCD-1 there on display. I just stood there in shock the moment I saw it...I musta been standing there gawking at it for 5 minutes. That thing is a MONSTER! And the fun part was when I tried to lift just the front for the usual solidity test I give to players, I could barely lift it. I got it off the stand, but with some extreme grunting, and I certainly didn't get it far off the stand. Incredible player. But at $4200, it's not something for me to even consider.

Now on the other hand, they also had a DVP-9000ES on display, which scarily is in my price range. Another very impressive piece of equipment, and while it was easier to lift, it still isn't something I'd want to have to hold for more than a minute.

Interesting place though, at least now I know there is a place in Hawaii that carries Sony's ES lineup.

Holy ****, that's my discman too, except mine says D-E554! What gives? How many model no.'s are there for the same thing?? 565, 561, 556, 554???

What, you say this thing has got a 15mw amp?? And I was trying to look for something stronger than my pcdp If mine has 15mw as well...?? Well it sure doesn't sound like it! All the Panasonic CT-4xx could outdo or at least match my D-E554!

If the D-E554 also has a '15mw amp' I guess it's really time I got a headphone amp

edit: I guess the difference must be in the accessories. My D-E554 came with the 'groove' earbuds with that little thingy that sticks into your ear.

Joe,

I have the 561 and the pana 470, the sony blows away the pana anyday. The 470 sounds lifeless and dull compared to the Sony which sounds a bit rich in sound quality. The only thing i can't stand about the sony is that it skips like crazy without the esp turned on.

George

But it overloads trying to drive in the high midrange on my AIWAs while the Pana pcdps don't

Surfaday, do you know if that price was good for a limited time or till they ran out?

They had TONS of 565s there, so I don't think they'll run out anytime soon...