Sony SACD Owners: Anyone Use a DAC for Redbook?

I would suggest having the player itself modified. You'll save a cable and a lot of other additional circuitry. Sean
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I used to own an XA-777ES and used a Chord DAC64 for redbook. The results were outstanding in my opinion.

While adding a very good DAC is a common practice, I tend to agree with Sean, as long as you're willing to forego the Sony warranty. As Aaronm points out, the Sony's analog stage is OK but not as good as the better DACs out there, and that's where you can reap a lot of benefits through mods. The big advantage to going this route is that you will also improve the SACD playback and get a much better picture of what makes that format so special compared to redbook. Your main problem is you've got 6 channels to upgrade, as opposed to the two in my modded SCD 777ES, but there are modifiers out there who can work on it.

I have a Sony SCD-777ES too.
I have to say the redbook CD from the Sony direct is about the same as via cable to my Adcom 700 DAC. Since that DAC was only about a $1000. job, I agree that a high quality DAC would improve the sound (but for me, it is 'good enough' as is).
And agree that any internal Sony ES SACD player mods invalidate the FIVE year warranty...
Enough folks have had problems with their Sony's that I want to make sure I am covered by the warranty.

The warranty on my ES9000 expires on Thanksgiving and you-all have inspired me into thinking about an internal mod upgrade. For the sake of this thread, could some of you list the available craftsmen who perform this work? -Along with their relative merit and cost? It will be interesting to compare the mod to my Philips 963 SA's 24/192 upsampling.
Thanks,
Ken