Sony SACD Megachanger arrving soon !

[begbie]

I'm sure more models to come but here is the first dvd/sacd megachanger and an sacd-only meagachanger to follow.

Also reviewed in the latest Sound&Vision magazine.

http://www.onecall.com/PID_20535.htm#

[dorokusai]

It's a shame its not ES class yet, but I like the megachanger idea. It certainly has alot of features in one box, but they are the entry level type.

The SACD only will most likely be ES class.

[fireshoes]

Since they didn't mention, it's $399 and should come out in September.

[goingganzo]

word of caution


these will not fit in your audio rack without major modifycation. i had to notch the back of my rack. with is mdfb. and it stickes about 2-3 inches but i would think that i would rather have a sacd/dvd-a and get a dvd changer that just dues dvd.

[PETERNG]

stay away from changer if you don't want to deal with problems and noises...too many moving parts will introduce nothing but trouble later on. Single tray is always better...cheers

[begbie]

Originally posted by PETERNG
stay away from changer if you don't want to deal with problems and noises...too many moving parts will introduce nothing but trouble later on. Single tray is always better...cheers


Well, knock on wood but my mediocre Sony megachanger has been flawless for 3 years and counting.

It's been a heaven-sent !! :D

[dorokusai]

The noise issue is a generic comment. I would presume that most parties involved with this website, would know about the noise created by multiple moving parts. This issue is inherent with all multi-changers, not just mega changers. I have not heard a "silent" changer in my life.

Is my new SACD changer noisier than my "vintage" Sony changer? Yes it is, I have no idea why, but I am not disturbed from my Zen meditation, while a disc changes either. :rolleyes: I have heard some pretty quiet changers in my time, and Sony, while not normally one OF them, is not the worst I have heard.

Size wise, this should be a no brainer. If you thought that a disc changer that held 300-400 discs would be the size of a single tray...you just have no clue. What a useless comment.

It is a player for the person who wishes to compile everything into a box...that person also is probably not concerned so much with its noise, as its function.

Do I want one? No...why would I. That does indeed seem silly to me. I can't keep track of 6 discs in my changer, let alone 300.

[bikezappa]

To bad the chager didn't have a DVI output. In order to keep track of your 400 discs, either CD or DVD, type them on paper with numbers. DUH. I don't see the problem. As you add discs write them in with a pencil and later type them in.

I never thought the noise of the changer was a problem. The problem is finding the box with the disc, opening it and loading it in the player, putting the other disc in a box. The changer can do this faster then I can and I save all this storage space.

The size of these changers is an issue however. They are big.

I have two 200 CD changers and one 200 DVD changer with no problems so far for 5 years.

I wish Sony would make a new ES version of a 400 CD changer.

Playing random with 400 CD library is a blast.

[dorokusai]

Bikezappa - Glad to hear that another mega-changer fan is happy. They do make a ES version of the mega-changer. The
CDP-M333ES and CDP-M555ES. Here is a link:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=0n8635v38Tg6iaSl0xkw1NT7fXsiO4K_154=?Cat egoryName=hav_ESShowcase_ESShop_MultiDiscCDChanger s&Dept=hav

I will get one in the future, its a real convenience.

[bikezappa]

Dorokusai

I have read that there are some problems with the sony 555es changer. Memory loss and some difficult or inconvenient selection options. Have you heard the sound from one? Any comments? I wish a new es model would be released.

I don't understand the issues some people have with changers. The CD changers have two basic parts, one the storage/selection part and two the player part. The player part should have a high end option, but it never does. Why???

You must have saved much space by eliminating the 400 CD plastic boxes. The CD changers also protects the CD's from damage due to resting beer bottles and other items on them. CD's are the most expensive purchase of most systems. 400 CD's cost about $8000.

[begbie]

Originally posted by bikezappa
I never thought the noise of the changer was a problem. The problem is finding the box with the disc, opening it and loading it in the player, putting the other disc in a box. The changer can do this faster then I can and I save all this storage space.


Exactly !!!

Often times, you can get tired of where you placed a disc and spend more time looking for it while the megachanger can pull it up in an instant.

Megachangers are not for everyone, it is convience over everything else.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

400 Burnt CD's cost about.......120 dollars......

[bikezappa]

Correct! 400 store bought CD's cost $8000.

[begbie]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
400 Burnt CD's cost about.......120 dollars......


.... no problem. megachangers can handle all those music tracks ! :cool:

[F1nut]

The real problem with mega changers is the compromise in sound quality. They use cheaper transports, cheaper DAC's, cheaper op amps, cheaper jitter clocks, etc. NO thanks, I'll pass.

[bikezappa]

F1nut

That's exactly my problem. Why can't they make a quality CD changer with good electronics. The storage and selection part is ok in these changers but the electronics is from a $99 CD player. That is just my opion.

Is the ES 555 model any better sound wise?

Has anybody compared both players - cheap sony mega changer to the sony 55ES and found a differance in the sound quality?There would seem to be a new market option here if they sound the same.

I think the problem is that most people compare the mega changers to the old multiple record turntables. It was very difficult to separate the mechanicals of multiple record stacking and good turntable physics. But this shouldn't be so in a mega CD changer. A good record playing juke box from the 1970's can have a good turntable, arm and cartrige. I know because I put one together. In the mega CD changers, all the mechanicals do is put the CD in a depressed form, just like we do if we have a $1000 CD single player.

Does anyone know anything about the Denon 5000 mega changer? It cost over $1000 but only stored 100 CDs. It could be connected to slave units of 100 CDs also. It is discontinued however.

I don't want to sacrifice sound quality for convenience.

Who does?

Is there any other options?

Sorry for the rant.

[F1nut]

Bikezappa,

I will assume you are talking about the M555ES Mega Changer which I have not heard. Now, the SACD 555ES 5 spinner is a great player if you can live with that. I think the makers of these units know that audiophiles aren't going to buy a mega changer and therefore don't bother to make a high end unit. Supply and demand.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Buy 100 5 disc changers, and link them all together....... :D

[bikezappa]

I can see that vision of 100 CD players all lit up and all playing different CDs at the same time! Sonic nirvana or what. I need many Y adapters however and that may degrade the sound experience somewhat. Sort of like listening to a 100 transister radios all tuned to a different stations put in a heap. Polk transistor radios of course.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

YEP!

[dorokusai]

The CDP-M333ES or the CDP-M555ES, are about as good as a mega changer will get. When the SACD version actually comes out, it will use the same single DAC that the SCD-555ES uses currently. It won't however use discrete components, so the inside will be more basic than the higher end players.

[begbie]

Originally posted by F1nut
The real problem with mega changers is the compromise in sound quality. They use cheaper transports, cheaper DAC's, cheaper op amps, cheaper jitter clocks, etc. NO thanks, I'll pass.


Convience , Convience , Convience, that's the #1 reason why people buy mega-changers.

Outboard DACs will help some of those issues though, but so far there looks to be no perfect cd player for everyone's taste.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I'd love to have a 400 cd changer...most have a keyboard hook up to list stuff, I use a cheap player now so I won't notice..

[F1nut]

Perfect player??? Why yes, I own it. The Sony XA777ES SACD player. Does everything well, nothing poorly and plays them one at a time. ;)

[fireshoes]

If you want to hear the noisiest cd changer ever, check out the JVC 7-disc changers. That would definitely bring you out of your acoustic zen whoopie.

[begbie]

Sony ES sacd megachanger to come.

nuff said

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Adcom's complete Analog players are like a bus changing gears after double shifting....very loud they are

[fireshoes]

Hey Trey, if you own any original cd's, I got some homework for you. Make a copy at single speed recording and one at full speed recording, then do a shootout amongst the 3 discs and let us know about any sonic differences. :cool:

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I own no MP3 based CD's. All CD's I own are either Retail CD's, or Copied CD's of Retail CDs. There are no sonic differences between my CD's. As I own no download based CD's. Yes there is a difference. But from what I do, there is none.

[F1nut]

"Sony ES sacd megachanger to come."

Bring it over.....we'll do a shoot out! :D

[avelanchefan]

I just bought the Sony 400 disk changer (the 455). So far so good. I like the looks of it despite the hugeness of it. I cannot wait to hook up the keyboard and start entering disk data for each disk!

The sound is comparable to my five disk changer, but I have yet to give it a really hard workout. I think that will be a while until I get all 200+ cd's in there, and cataloged, and all the disk data put in.

A job I am actually looking forward to.:D

[begbie]

Avalanchefan,

Congrats on the changer.

Actually the most difficult part is initially loading all your cd's in and typing every title. Careful not to type too fast or all characters may not be entered in. It's a labour of love but it's worth it for all the convience.

I find the spin wheel (to type) works best whenever you have that odd cd or two you just bought though I'm not sure how it would be for your 200 cd's. Try what works best for you.

I like the hits selection and the ability to label those tracks as well.

Next up for me is the Sacd megachanger and then to daisy-chain them together. :D

[goingganzo]

grab your keybord it works wonders. i did but you see how i spell and type lol

[avelanchefan]

How do you like your mega changer Gonzo. I see a mixed bag of reviews on the net. Some love it, others don't.

[avelanchefan]

Well The wife and I unpacked all of our CD's. (We just recently moved) First we went through the process of alphabetizing all of the CD's. Once that was done she handed me each cd, which got a very thorough cleaning, then was put in the mega changer. I left about 5-6 spaces between letters for the future purchases of cd's.

The actual input of info on each CD went very well. Although I do wish that Sony had added a little more memory so we could input a bit more text information. 20 charechters is not enough in a lot of cases.

The letters that took the longest....M(MAdonna/Metallica), S(Stone Temple Pilots, and a bunch of various artists), and V(All of Van Halen....which is A LOT!!).

[avelanchefan]

Here is a picture......

[dorokusai]

Very nice Avelanche, happy typing :)