Help! Sony 775 SACD question...... (1 Viewer)

[ReggieW]

I am looking to replace my decent JVC-258 CD carousel with a new one. I have been considering the Denon 370 ($225.00) with its Burr Brown DAC's, but now realize that I can now get the Sony 775 SACD player ($300.00) for $75.00 more. I would rather get this instead if it will improve my redbook CD's over the Denon 370. My dilemma is that my 6 channel analog outputs on the 1802 are already being utilized for my JVC 721bk DVD-A player. So How will I run SACD without another pair of analog outs? I believe others have had this problem as well, and it appears that only a few flagship receivers carry two sets of analog outs for both. I would please appreciate any advice. I would love to enjoy DVD-A and SACD both, but it looks a little unlikely at this point.
Thanks,
R.C.

 

[KeithH]

Reggie said:

I would love to enjoy DVD-A and SACD both, but it looks a little unlikely at this point.

No it isn't. Radio Shack makes an A/V switch box (part number 15-1952) that works very well for switching between multi-channel DVD-Audio and multi-channel SACD. The switch boxds sell for $15 each, and you need two of them. You can get them at Radio Shack stores or at www.radioshack.com . Each box has two sets of inputs and one output. Each input/outputs has three RCA jacks (red, white, and yellow). Here is how I am using these switch boxes:
Box 1
Input A: DVD-Audio front left, front right, center
Input B: SACD front left, front right, center
Output: front left, front right, center to receiver's 5.1-channel inputs
Box 2
Input A: DVD-Audio surround left, surround right, subwoofer
Input B: SACD surround left, surround right, subwoofer
Output: surround left, surround right, subwoofer to receiver's 5.1-channel inputs
I use these switch boxes for a Technics DVD-A10 DVD-Audio player and Sony SCD-C555ES SACD changer since my Sony STR-V444ES receiver only has one set of 5.1-channel inputs. The switch boxes are very easy to use, and I detect no sound degradation. Not bad at all for only $30. Much cheaper than getting a new receiver.
Now, should you get the 'CE775? To have SACD, absolutely! However, I don't know how the 'CE775 compares to the Denon DCM-370 as a CD player. I have the '370, and it is a good changer for the $250 I paid. It certainly isn't an all-world player, but it is good for the price. From what I have read about the 'CE775, it isn't much of a CD player, so you are paying mainly for SACD. However, I have read this comment from people who have significantly more expensive CD players, so take this with a grain of salt. Would it be possible for you to buy both players and return the one that you don't like?

 

[Michael_T]

I have the CE775 - which I use only for multichannel SACD and it a very good performer for the price. I also own the 333ES for stereo SACD and redbook CD. I did a cursory comparision on two different occasions between the 333ES (which listed for $1200 when I purchased it for $800), and the CE775, which I paid $300 for. The 333ES was better in every respect, but I am extremely happy playing multichannel SACD with the CE775 - and I am sure even though the 333ES is better with redbook CD - that the CE775 won't disappoint - but I couldn't tell you how it would compare to the Denon.

On the other hand, I have a similiar problem as you in that I have a DVD-Audio player plus this multichannel SACD player. You could use Keith's idea regarding the switch boxes, or you can merely do what I do - I switch cables when I want to listen to one or the other. At first I was switching cables at the rear of my Integra 6.2 - but that got a bit cumbersome. So I bought RCA cable extenders from Radio Shack - They were Gold series cables - and now I can switch cables at the end of the extenders in less than one minute. I prefer doing this - as I feel it is more direct than sending the signal through an inexpensive switch box, that I understand also has a 75ohm resistor inside.

But you can see you are not out of luck having 2 multichannel sources, you just have to make an inexpensive desicion whether you want to go with switch boxes or merely switch cables.

 

[Thomas_Berg]

the Denon will yield better redbook CD performance than the SACD player. i did some research on this in the summer and actually owned the '775 a few months ago, but i sold it b/c i needed the $$. i thought my Marantz CC-4000 sounded better with standard CDs than the '775, but the Denon should surpass them all with those Burr Brown DACs.

 

[ReggieW]

Thanks for all of the replies. I think Thomas pretty much summed it up for me, and I think I will be going with the Denon for redbook CD. I would love the SACD player, but I would rather wait for prices to drop and get a better model than the Sony 775 (I've heard much regarding the inferiority of this unit to the ES models). The Denon can be had now for around $225.00 with no input hassles. Just slap on the ol' coax cable and I'm ready to go! I am already into DVD-A so that will have to suffice for another year or so. I think it'll work out better in the end if I wait for prices to come down, as I just can't afford $800.00 for an SACD player right now (at least the multi-channel ES model I really want). Thanks again for all of your helpful responses.
Reg
P.S. - Also, is it just me, or are newer redbook CD's sounding better these days? I picked up Madonna's "Music" and listened to it with DPL2 in music mode and the bass and overall sonic clarity was outstanding! I think that newer CD's are somehow being better mastered these days.