Looking for SACD player: (1)Marantz sa-14 (2)Sony SCD-1 (3)Sony XA-777ES Which one to choose? Is Sony SCD-1 still worth to possess? Need suggestion please Thank you
When Sony introduces a new product, the first is the greatest. All others that follow will never compare. They just whittle away at the technology until the masses all have one. So yes, the SCD-1 is a keeper.
The Sony is good, but the SA-14 is superior. It has a true balanced circuit and uses newer generation DACs. Unless you need multichannel, then I would seriously consider the new multichannel Marantz. Here is what an insider at Sony told me: #2: Only the SCD-1 has balanced outputs but it sounds better, it was actually designed, to be played through the unbalanced outputs, the RCA outputs.
Richard Kern can be found at www.audiomod.com Dan Wright is at www.modwright.com.
Both guys do audiocom (an english company that makes the upgrades) installs, and some additional specialty stuff.
I've met both of these guys and had both of their players stomped my stock scd-1 into the ground in direct A to B tests in my system. The mods work and they are not subtle improvements. I recommend both of them equally as people whom I would trust to do the work. They are both very professional (and smart [yikes!]) people.
My player already had some kern mods done to it when I bought it, so having Richard continue with more upgrades made the most sense.
I'm listening to Art Pepper's 'the way it was' on my hot-rod scd-1 now! Superbe et Sublime! Thanks Art! Thanks Richard!
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