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SACD player as CD transport?

Does anyone have experience using any of the SACD players as a transport for CD playback in combination with an external DAC? How good is it? Because if it's decent in this capacity, seems like you could have the best of both worlds, using it as a transport for 16/44 CDs (but getting the benefits of your DAC, assuming it's better than the SACD) and as a fully-integrated player for SACD software. I know the Sony SCD-1 has coax digital out (CD only), not sure about other models. Thanks.
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Showing 6 responses by drubin

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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
Thanks. By the way, I can't find the Sony products at OADE.com. Any other opinions out there? Is it a contender as a transport with a serious outboard DAC?
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
J&R price is $3299, by the way.
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
Thanks Calloway. The Dodson is in fact what I have, so good to hear it works well. Have you compared it with other transports in connection with the Dodson?
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
This begs the question, is it worth the extra $1500 for the SCD-1 over the 777, considering performance as an SACD player and as a CD transport for use with externl DAC?
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
Answering my own thread, I bought the SCD-777ES, which I am using with a Dodson DAC. The Sony has about 800 hours on it. It sounds full and smooth. It also sounds very dark and lacks detail (those two tend to go together). Add to that the fact that the unit is very annoying to use (it takes forever to read a disk and then to read the TOC), and I'm thinking this may not have been a good choice. I hate to start looking for transports in this time of digital transition, but....

As for SACD, it certainly sounds promising, but I think it could sound a whole lot better than it does with this unit. Incidentally, I have found the tonality of the Sony (smooth, dark) holds forth in SACD, transport, and CDP modes. My conclusion: the 777 has a pervasive sonic signature that comes from the transport end, not from the analog output. That surprises me. Am I doing something wrong?

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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
Hmmm. I've tried both a Black Mamba and a Custom House Model 11, or whatever it's called. Not much difference. I'll see if I can get hold of an NBS cord sometime.
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