are the sony d-555 or d-777 players worth it?

[OogeleyBoogeley]

Hey all,

I've been reading on many other places about sound quality from a portable. My iRiver slimx is great, but sometimes the sound quality suffers in classical recordings. There are 2 Sony CD players that repeatedly turn up, the d-555 and d-777. If anyone really owns them, is there a significant difference between the sound in current portables? Does the s/n ratio come into play in this, or is it just how powerful the internal amp is? I'd like to get some more info on these 2 players.
thanks

 

[vwap]

Quote:

Originally posted by OogeleyBoogeley Hey all, I've been reading on many other places about sound quality from a portable. My iRiver slimx is great, but sometimes the sound quality suffers in classical recordings. There are 2 Sony CD players that repeatedly turn up, the d-555 and d-777. If anyone really owns them, is there a significant difference between the sound in current portables? Does the s/n ratio come into play in this, or is it just how powerful the internal amp is? I'd like to get some more info on these 2 players. thanks

Not trying to be an ass or anything, but if you do a search for D-555 and D-777, you'll likely find what you're looking for. This topic has been talked to death. Yes, people do own them, and many own both. They've posted their impressions many times. Purk comes to mind as one who owns both.

 

[Duncan]

Lets not forget the rarest of them all... The E900/E905

Sounds better than the D777... is one of the best there is...

But, none of them sound as good as a top of the line MD, so if you're moving from one format to another... can the format be MD??

 

[pedxing]

If you can find an E905, that would be cool. The E905 supposedly has a dual dac output. The D777 only has the traditional single dac output.

The D777 is the most balance sounding pcdp that I remember listening to. I probably have listened to the E905 long time ago, but I just don't remember what the quality of the output was.

 

[vwap]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Lets not forget the rarest of them all... The E900/E905

I've got dibs on your E900/E905s if you ever decide to get rid of them!

hehe.. "You will give them to me for free..." :waving fingers all Jedi-like:

 

[purk]

pedxing

Quote:

If you can find an E905, that would be cool. The E905 supposedly has a dual dac output. The D777 only has the traditional single dac output. The D777 is the most balance sounding pcdp that I remember listening to. I probably have listened to the E905 long time ago, but I just don't remember what the quality of the output was.

I have to correct you on this one. According to the D-E900/E905 manual, D-E900 use the one bit dac system. To my ears, D-E900 is a much better sounding Discman interm of headphone out quality. Sony D-E900 can sound thin and lack some dynamics of the D-777 when pair up w/ earbuds or cheapo headphone. HOWEVER, Sony D-E900 will sing it sweetest tune (from the headphone out) w/ Sony MDR-CD3000, and AT-100Ti. IMHO, I can live w/ the CD3000 and D-E900 alone.

Duncan,

Quote:

Lets not forget the rarest of them all... The E900/E905 Sounds better than the D777... is one of the best there is... But, none of them sound as good as a top of the line MD, so if you're moving from one format to another... can the format be MD??

I agree w/ you that Sony D-E900 has amazing sound quality and "yes" it is extremely hard to find. I also find myself enjoying my Sharp MD-SS323 + CD3000 more than the D-E900 + CD3000.


Purk

 

[redshifter]

if you run across a sony d-777 pcdp in mint condition, or a n.o.s., snap it up if the price is below us$200.

 

[purk]

OogeleyBoogeley,

I agree w/ redshifter, but to me....150 dollars is a more reasonable price. Both D-777, and D-555 is wayyyyy better than any current line up in headphone out quality. I feel that the highend Discman has the line out quality of the D-777, but still trailing the D-555's.



Purk.

Choose D-777, if you want something compact and has a great sounding headphone out. D-777's headphone out provides you w/ sweet midrange and more cozy experience. The bass is extremely punchy.

Choose D-555, if you want something that is transportable. D-555 is one of the best built model. The headphone out is great, but the line out is more details than the D-777. You will love its built-to-last...and all-you-could-dream-of-DSPs. D-555 provides better soundstage and is more airy.

 

[NEO]

D-777 is a great player and will impress most people with its dynamic and fun sounds. But the problem is it has dark tone all over,meaning that the clarity is not top notch. And it will provide you with that same dynamic and fun sound for every type of music,which may not be suitable for all. The player is slim and beautiful but 10 sec ESP may not make it fully portable. D-555 has metal body so it is probably almost two times heavier. But the player looks like a small deck itself and you have variety of eq modes to choose from. The sound is more nuetral and airy than
D-777 but you need time to adjust to get used to it. Some people may feel disappointed with D-555 if they expect a miracle out of it. I've seen some even sell it shortly after they got it. My point is D-777 will impress you at once when D-555 will take sometimes but if you do appreciate the sound from D-555,it is likely that you will prefer it to D-777. I would also like to hear D-E905 and D-303 which i never have.

 

[OogeleyBoogeley]

wow, i didnt think that these players were so.. in demand. wow. thanks everyone for their advice... now to find one on ebay...

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by NEO But the problem is it has dark tone all over,meaning that the clarity is not top notch.

This can be remedied. Simply use a sheet of sorbothane on the bottom of the player (on the outside). IMO this greatly increases the clarity of the D-777. I think vibration damping is more important on plastic players than on metal ones. My suspicion is that these players are vulnerable to motor vibration. Damp it, and the sound tightens nicely.

 

[pedxing]

Sorry about the previous posting. I must have read bad or incorrect informatin from another thread about the E900/E905 about having dual dacs. I always kinda wondered why would sony stick dual dacs in a pcdp.

The lack of anti-skip stuff in D777 does limit its use to a stationary setting. Even the first generation of Sony ESP pcdp benefit greatly with a sheet of shock-aborbing materials. My first ESP discman can resist quite a few bumps, but the number of skips I encounter and the quality of the output sometimes improves when I placed it over my foam mouse pad.

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by pedxing The lack of anti-skip stuff in D777 does limit its use to a stationary setting. Even the first generation of Sony ESP pcdp benefit greatly with a sheet of shock-aborbing materials. My first ESP discman can resist quite a few bumps, but the number of skips I encounter and the quality of the output sometimes improves when I placed it over my foam mouse pad.

The D-777 does have skip protection. There's a switch on the bottom of the unit. It's not the massive protection of today's players (it's something like 6 seconds), but it will get you over the short bumps.

 

[Duncan]

the D777 has a full 10 second anti-shock...

The E905 has 10 seconds too, but it uses (iirc) linear, rather than compressed anti-shock

 

[kajohndet]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan the D777 has a full 10 second anti-shock... The E905 has 10 seconds too, but it uses (iirc) linear, rather than compressed anti-shock

Duncan,

Have you ever heard some sonic degradation when ESP engaged for D777? I do sometimes, especially with high signal CDs and tracks (very few CDs) with low low bass. ESP unengaged, this player sings perfectly and beautifully with any CD I feed it.