Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Digital Drive: REVIEW: Empirical Audio Sony DVP-CX777ES SACD Player (Modded) by nightmusic

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: Empirical Audio Sony DVP-CX777ES SACD Player (Modded)

68.191.130.118


[ Follow Ups ] Thread:  [ Display   All   Email ] [ Digital Drive ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

Model: Sony DVP-CX777ES
Category: SACD Player (Modded)
Suggested Retail Price: $800 + Mods
Description: Universal SACD/DVD/CD 400 Disc Changer
Manufacturer URL: Empirical Audio
Model Picture: View

Review by nightmusic ( A ) on November 13, 2004 at 09:09:10
IP Address: 68.191.130.118
Add Your Review
for the Sony DVP-CX777ES


This is a review of the all-out analog mod of the Sony DVP-CX777ES 400 disc changer performed by Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio. Details of the mod can be found on Empirical Audio's web page. All of Steve's analog mods were done to this unit including the modded Superclock 2.

Let me start by explaining what my goal was when I first began corresponding with Steve. I had quite a large sum of money invested in my system and I had some very nice CDPs come and go, to include Audio Aero's Capitole MKI CDP for a year or so. Although the sound from these players was very good, I found that I tended to use and enjoy my system more when I had a changer in place. I then decided to invest in the DVP-CX777ES and have it modded by Steve after using the player un-modded for appoximately 6 mos. or so. I noticed that Steve had completed a mostly digital mod on one of these units in the past. After corresponding with him, he thought that the unit might function very well as a CDP after an all-out analog mod assault. I then decided to give this knowledgeable electrical engineer free reign to complete whatever mods he thought would prove beneficial. What ultimately resulted is one of the finest, if not the finest CDP I have ever heard in my sytem or any of the CES shows I have attended. Let me explain...

When I first received the player back from Steve, I had to take a look under the hood and see what all changes I could see. What I found was work that was completed so professionally and neatly that my mouth gaped open for a period of 60 seconds or more just gauking at it. Now I couldn't wait to plug it in. After letting the unit play in my system for approximately 24 hrs. I sat down for a listen. What I initially heard was fatigue-free music with very focused images. However, the sound was darker and the vocals were somewhat congested. The high frequecies seemed to be somewhat rolled off. After remembering reading David Robinson's Positive Feedback review of the Superclock 2, I agreed with his initial feelings of the sound he heard during break-in.

After a solid week or so of constant playing, things began to change dramatically. The congestion was gone and the high frequencies were totally transformed. Highs are now extremely detailed, but suprisingly pleasant. I find myself being drawn into high notes that other CDPs made me want to shy away from in the past. Both sides of the frequency spectrum have now become extremely dynamic without any fatigue. I immediately began thinking that this was a damn-good investment. I then decided to try playing some red-book CDs that I was unable to listen to in the past due to fatigue and just plain old bad recordings. Amazingly, I could now tolerate and even enjoy listening to many of the CDs I was never able to listen to with other CDPs. It feels as though this modded player is intelligent enough to correct the bad CDs and take well-recorded CDs to unbelievable levels. Truly remarkable...! The sound coming from SACDs and DVD-A CDs is even better in many ways.

Conclusion:

If you enjoy the convenience of a universal changer but always felt like you would have to sacrifice sound quality when comparing it to the best CDPs on the market today, then this is a no-brainer mod for you. I would be glad to put this CDP up against the best players at CES this year and have people just sit there and stare at it with their mouths open when this thing begins to play. You just have to hear it to believe it! Thank you Steve Nugent.


Product Weakness: Fairly long break-in. The CDP would probably not be descibed as the sweetest player I have ever heard, but its still pretty damn luxurious.
Product Strengths: Dynamics, clarity, and musicality. Ability to draw the listener into the sound.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Berning ZH-270
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Supratek Sauvignon
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Modded DVP-CX777ES
Speakers: Reynaud Concorde on Symposium Sveltes
Cables/Interconnects: TG Audio HSR
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything that produces an emotional response in the listener.
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): TG Audio SLVR Power Cords
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.  



Topic - REVIEW: Empirical Audio Sony DVP-CX777ES SACD Player (Modded) - nightmusic 09:09:10 11/13/04 ( 0)