Got me a SACD Player.....

[Ricardo]

I really didn't think I'd get it, but nobody placed a bid but me.

I think I got it at a good price, $255 shipped. A Sony DVPNS999 ES. It's supposed to be as new. I'll see how I like it, and I can always send it to SACDmods.com for an upgrade.
I can also use it as transport only, even add a small monitor to my 2 channel room to watch concerts in stereo.
Yes, I'm trying to convince myself that it was a good buy ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=006

EDIT: and, he's a dealer and confirmed the Sony 5 years warranty....

[AndyGwis]

Very nice! I had a little 19" LCD HDTV for my 2-channel setup for watching videos, using the player's OSD menu, etc. I've had 3 sony ES models (DVP-S9000ES, SCD-C2000ES, SCD-C222ES) and really liked all of them.

[Ricardo]

Ok; here comes the first question. Can I use the coax and analog outs without messing with setup? I could use my DAC for redbook and the player for SACD.....

[AndyGwis]

That's how I had mine hooked up. I had coax to my theta DAC, theta analogs to my MF Integrated's CD input. Then analog outs from player direct to MF Aux 1 for SACD playback.

Just a press of the button (CD to Aux) to go from one to the other. Makes it really easy to compare the player's DACs to your stand alone.

[Ricardo]

Good to hear; I know DVD's require setting up which output you use...it would be a PITA if I had to change setup every time I had to switch from coax to analog.

[obieone]

My player is a Sony DVP-NC80V, and the only way for SACD to play is the 6 rca jacks on the back going into the 'EXT. IN' jacks on my Denon rcvr.
Why, I can't use digital coax. or optic connection is a friggin mystery?

[Ricardo]

SACD does not go through digital outputs; some kind of proprietary thing as I understand.

[Shizelbs]

I think it has to do with copy protection measures.

[dorokusai]

That's correct.

Ricardo - I'd go ahead and give Matthew a call or email about mods. I had my 555ES modded by him and it's excellent.

You can also keep your headphone output, contrary to the website statement, you just have to ask. This was important to me since I'm often between head-amps from time to time.

[hearingimpared]

Nice grab Ric!

[capitan100]

Very nice indeed. I have an SACD player and love it...

Music selection is a little limited though

[janmike]

Congrats Ricardo. Enjoy.

[obieone]

Follow up question: I've got 'Boston' on SL stereo SACD, and when I play it in stereo, with my 60's (via the sub), I get almost NOTHING out of the sub, and that's turned all the way up on both vol./hz.???
But if I play a regular cd, same way, I get plenty of sub?

[schwarcw]

Great player, especially with mods.

[hearingimpared]

Follow up question: I've got 'Boston' on SL stereo SACD, and when I play it in stereo, with my 60's (via the sub), I get almost NOTHING out of the sub, and that's turned all the way up on both vol./hz.???
But if I play a regular cd, same way, I get plenty of sub?

Does your player have a mix down? I had to set mine to mix down so that it would be only playing 2 channel.

[treitz3]

Congrat's on the SACD purchase Ricardo. What took you so long?

You are gonna love what you hear! Try Godsmack's, The Other Side even if you don't like them. You will afterwards. ;) Other notables would be The World's Greatest Audiophile Recordings / Chesky Records and Norah Jones, Come Away with me.

When you get it set up your ears will thank you tremendously! :D :D :D

[Ricardo]

Here's another noob SACD question; Do all SACD's play in stereo, or are there multichannel only SACD's?

[Danny Tse]

Here's another noob SACD question; Do all SACD's play in stereo, or are there multichannel only SACD's?

All SACD are mandated by Sony/Philips to have a hi-rez 2 channel stereo (or mono) mix. The CD layer of a hybrid SACD and the multi-channel surround hi-rez mix are both optional. Of course, there are exceptions....but of the 5,000+ SACD titles released, there're only a handful of these.

[shack]

Here's another noob SACD question; Do all SACD's play in stereo, or are there multichannel only SACD's?

I belive all SACDs have a 2 channel layer. Not all have multi-channel and not all have redbook (hybrids). Many of the early SACDs were stereo ONLY. The progession seems to be:

- originally 2 channel only
- 2 channel and a multi-channel layer
- 2 channel, multi-channel and redbook layers.

I'm not sure if there are 2 channel (only) and redbook hybrids. If so it is from some of the small independent labels.

[Danny Tse]

I belive all SACDs have a 2 channel layer. Not all have multi-channel and not all have redbook (hybrids). Many of the early SACDs were stereo ONLY. The progession seems to be:

- originally 2 channel only
- 2 channel and a multi-channel layer
- 2 channel, multi-channel and redbook layers.

I'm not sure if there are 2 channel (only) and redbook hybrids. If so it is from some of the small independent labels.

SACD was originally a 2 channel stereo format. Then multi-channel surround sound capability was added. Initially, due to the lack of production capability, many titles were released as single-layer SACD. As production capability expanded, there were titles that got re-released as hybrids. Also, some SACD titles are single-layer in the US, but hybrid in other countries. The Police and the Peter Gabriel catalog are such examples.

The multi-channel surround mix can be any combination up to 5.1. For example, many Sony BMG Living Stereo SACD titles are 3.0 releases (left/center/right)....just as they were originally intended. There are also quad recording that appear as 4.0 surround SACDs. As for hi-rez 2 channel stereo and CD layer on a hybrid SACD, there are many example of this from both big labels and smaller independent labels. David Bowie's "Let's Dance" is a good example.

[Ricardo]

Thanks guys; I was really worried I could buy something that would not work in stereo.

[Danny Tse]

Thanks guys; I was really worried I could buy something that would not work in stereo.

No need to worry....the top SACD models from the likes of Marantz and Denon are all 2 channel stereo only.

[Ricardo]

Damn. Got the player today. It does not power up. It looks brand new as stated, remote never used, original batteries....but no damn lights come on.

Emailed the seller. The nasty wait.

[schwarcw]

That's a shame. I hope that you weren't scammed!:(

[AndyGwis]

I feel your pain. If it makes you feel any better, I just paypal'd over $300 to a guy with zero feedback on Agon. He seems legit, and I put the ole' guilt trip on him "I'm really putting my faith in my fellow man here to not screw me over."

Good luck resolving your issue.

[Ricardo]

I think it's a serious seller. He's a big dealer, Sound City in NJ. Right now I'm thinking bad luck.....I recently had a similar issue with the Belles preamp; box was in perfect condition but they must have dropped it because a couple of capacitors got lose.
This one came in original box covered with stirofoam and a second box. But a hard drop can make things rattle inside.
Hopefully it will turn out ok, but it's a PITA anyway.

[ESavinon]

I've bought audio from soundcity in ny and nj.
They're a reputable dealer. I woulndn't be surprised if it was damaged in transit.

[Ricardo]

The good news, he's sending me an invoice. I have a Sony authorized service center 4 miles from home.

The bad news, I'll have to wait a little more to get my ears on it.

[treitz3]

Ricardo, when I was shopping for SACD players last fall, I had the same freakin' thing happen with two of those players. Well, actually the first player would play song two when I hit song one....if it decided to play at all. Both of mine were purchased at Tweeter down here in Charlotte. Sooooooo, I returned both of those and got a Denon DVD2910. Brought that home and heard click, click, click. Grrrrr. Sooooooo, I went back and they mailed me one from Greensboro and I have been rockin' ever since.

Here's to not having the experience I had with my introduction to SACD!

EDIT: I'm damn glad I was a persistent little fu*k, 'cause the sound is SO worth it!!! Best format going IMO.

[Ricardo]

How good is that Denon with redbook? I have been watching the 3910's....there's some nice prices on refurbished with 1 year warranty, and even leftover new players are at great prices.