[orl2222]

I had to go to Poway Ca. today, on the I15. I stopped by the Sony Factory Outlet in Lake Elsinore. I was looking at a Sony CE222ES SAcd player the had on display. The salesperson came up and asked my if I was interested in the unit. I at first told him no, I have two Sony SCE7775 SACD players already. He then told me that he would let it go at a nice price. I said, hummm really?He checked with the manager, who told me that they had one more left in the back, a "B" unit, not the refurbushed that they usually sell. So, to cut to the chase, I got the unit for 179.00. Damn! I couldn't refuse at that price.

The sound? quite a bit better than my SCE775's, which are pretty decent! The sound stage is better, and is less bright, more refined. I guess seperating the audio power supply does make a difference. So, now the CE222ES has joined my NAD 541I on my lil table next to my desk.

P.S.
The manager told me that they have had the unit that I bought in the back for six months, and that the general public still doesn't know what a SACD player is. Those of you in Southern Califorina, they did have some Sony NVP900s DVD/SACD players on hand!(nope, I swear I won't buy one of thoose, I DO! I DO!

 

[andrzejpw]

woah, very nice find! a 222es for under $200 is a steal. You could not have said no.

 

[screwdriver]

good find - it is always nice to have a sacd player around .

 

[orl2222]

Ok, I let this thing burn in all night. Wow! this player is sweet. The sound stage is wider, and has a lil bit more detail than my NAD541I, even on redbook CD's. Surprisingly, this player sounds better hooked up to my Headroom little, with my diy interconnects, and my SR325's. I hooked up it up to my Meta, and Kimber PJB's, But it seems to like this combo better.

There's only one problem, I've got too many sources now!
1. CE7775 in my main stereo/home theater rig
2. CE7775 in my bedroom rig
3. CE222ES/NAD541I at my home office computer desk
4. DVP NS500V(actually two, one still sealed in the box)one used
for my home theater rig, dvd use only.

All i can say I've owned a few headphones and amps, but by far my sources outwiegh them! So far, The CE222ES beats the NAD541I by a hair! This hobby is sure addicting!

 

[drewski]

You didn't happen to see any Sony SCD-1's hidden away somewhere for a great price, did you? If you did, I'm driving down to where-ever the heck Poway, CA is and camping out!

 

[orl2222]

Drew, I didn't see one, but I wasn't really looking for one. The Sony outlet is loacated off of I15, in Lake Elsinore, acutally about 40 miles north of Poway. You can call and ask if they have one, unfortuently, they won't qoute prices over the phone. Most of the time, its hit or miss there. I did notice they had some DVPS9000 combo players there for 399.00. I almost bought one of these before i got the the deal on the C222ES. I was impressed with the DVPS9000, it was bulit like a tank as well. From what I've read, Its got pretty good rebook playback, and of course it's got SACD as well, progressive scan. I might get my girlfriend one, for her birthday coming up. If you get a chance call, or drive by. I often travel by there about every three months, so I drop by to see if anything is new there. I hope this helps.

 

[screwdriver]

your sources are piling up - you need to sell some of those....

 

[drewski]

Orl2222,

Thanks for the information. Next time I'm down in SoCal, I'll have to make a trip out there.

Congrats on your new source. And don't ever stop buying sources- or amps, or headphones, or speakers! Someone has to support the HiFi industry- and it might as well be us!

 

[orl2222]

I know , I've been thinking about that! I might get rid of one CE775, and one 500. I guess I am a bargin shopper! Both 500's I got for a steal at 125.00 The only other source I am currently looking at is a Philips 963sa. I almost bought one, without hearing it, Then I heard one, but wasn't too impressed with redbook, it could have been the way it was hooked or my self bulit meta(I confess It does work, but is not a work of art as the others build around here!, thats why i never posted pics of it)Just wondering I think I saw a thread awhile back on using the upsampling without hooking it to a tv. If i do buy a philips, I want to make sure I can do that, Because I just would use for music only. Some people collect headphones, but I must admit I'm a source junky. I waiting for the PPL amp to be finalized, but I think I'll let somebody else build me one!