What is the SACD Mod business all about?

I liken an audiophile buying an SACD player, which is not TOTL, and then contemplating modifications ... to an avid bicyclist buying a name brand bicycle, which is not TOTL. If you are really into riding and buy an inexpensive name brand bike ... you wind up upgrading just about all the components (derailleurs, shifters, pedals, saddle, etc.). anyway. And with many bicycle manufacturers, the frame does not necessarily change as you go up the line. After 20 years of buying mid-line Univega and Giant bicycles and then modding the hell out of them, I bought a Cannondale ... it came with most of the mods that I wanted anyway.

In general, I believe that it pays to buy the most expensive component that you and/or your plastic can afford and then, not getting too hung up about all the mods. My take on mods is that the changes are subtle, when performed on more expensive components.

As for putting your money into maxing redbook CD performance, that makes sense too. A great source can make a great system. I got into SACDs and purchased a SONY SCD555 ES, because I needed a new CD player. At the time, it was SONY's third most expensive CD and/or SACD player. It was the most that I spent on a component (paid $1100, its list was $1700). The only upgrade that I would like to do is replace the power cord, but since the power cord is not detachable ... it is one less thing to obsess about.

Regards, Rich

one way of getting good music for less money.

With any piece of equipment, unless it is an all out assault on reference performance, with a cost no object design, some compromises must be made in design. On most high-end gear, these compromises are made on components that the designer feels will have the least negative impact on the sound. Also, as Rich hints to above, the mods on already good gear can be somewhat subjective.

I don't think very many people will argue that SACD is not a solid improvement over redbook CD's, and many of the new SACD players are also a huge improvement on redbook playback, so you get the best of both worlds.

FWIW, I have a stock Sony SCD-XA777ES, and I think it is excellent on both formats.

Mike

Count me as one a the few that would argue that SACD is NOT a solid improvement over CD.

I do believe SACD is much better than standard CD all things being equal. The depth and width of the soundstage are the areas where I have heard substantial improvement. I have also heard improvement in the same areas with the redbook layer of the SACD over conventional CD. Though not to the extent of the improvements garnered with SACD
I have a stock Sony SCD-1 and enjoy it immensly. Will I have it modded maybe in the future. But I feel you do not need to modify the player to hear the improvement of SACD over CD.

Chuck