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Sony 9000es v. Phillips 963SA - anyone compared?

OK, the Sony is the internet darling, we know that. Infinitely modifiable, very well built, good stock performance, especially at the going rates.

The new Phillips at a retail of $500, with switchable 24/192 upsampling of redbook, and capability of playing CD-R, as well as SACD, is getting some good buzz.
Sony typically has excellent reliability, but POOR service experiences abound (I've had a few).
Phillips, onthe other hand, at least with the 1000 SACD, had some questionable reliability, and I've not heard anythign re: service experiences.

SO,

anyone compared the Redbook and SACD performance of these machines?

Should I sell my 9000ES???

thanks!
gthirteen
mikesinger
572 posts
 
i have owned the sony 333,555,999 and the 963 i borrowed sounded better. the redbook from this player is amazing!!!!

i did settle on the marantz 8360 for a little more money. very warm sounding unit and incredible redbook - it is very close to sacd. i would reccomend either the 963 or the 8260.

hope that helps !!!!!!!!

mike
gthirteen OP
340 posts
 
mike,
for the sake of argument, were the sony units (and teh phillips) burned in (say, 1-200 hrs) or fresh out of the box.

Also, how does the SACD of the Marantz compare to the Phillips?

Did you compare all of these in your "home" system?

THANKS!!!
ears
341 posts
 
I was checking out the AA board and it seems that all owners of both of these players have determined that the Phillips is superior in sacd as welll as redbook playback over the 9000es.

There is one owner that said it has better sound than his previous 9000 and his Phillips 1000 on both redbook and sacd.
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
Ears: You missed my post dated 6-11.
ears
341 posts
 
I didn't miss it....it says you have not used the sacd on the phillips and are happy with the sacd/ dvd playback of your sony...?????

I can't find anyone who prefers the sony in sacd or dvd[progressive] who has actually compared both players after burn in.

Check out the avs forums for the dvd reviews.

I only have s-video hookup were my 963sa is installed and i liked the sony 9000 picture quality much better via s-video hookup, than the 963sa.
Having said that,from reading reviews of the 963sa in progressive mode,the sony evidently does not compare.

My Phillips will most likely get replaced by the upcoming xa9000es with firewire sacd out,this will be sonys new reference player.

I just hope there will be some compatible dsd dacs that are far south of 10k to go along with the xa9000es after it is released.
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