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Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Modded SACD Players ModWight Sony 999ES CD Player/Recorder by jonbee

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REVIEW: Modded SACD Players ModWight Sony 999ES CD Player/Recorder

12.228.10.1


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Model: ModWight Sony 999ES
Category: CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price: $2100
Description: Sony 999ES SACD/DVD/CDP w/ tube output stage
Manufacturer URL: Modded SACD Players
Model Picture: View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on August 05, 2003 at 22:11:28
IP Address: 12.228.10.1
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for the ModWight Sony 999ES


This unit has most of the "Signature Truth" mods, minus a choke on the output PS, and a couple of other items. Here's a description of the Signature Truth mods:
Upgrade rectifiers in both audio and video power supplies to Harris FRED rectifiers
Improve stock power supply filtering and upgrade key decoupling caps to Black Gates.
Upgrade stereo and multi-channel analog coupling caps to Black Gates
Replace stereo and multi-channel op-amps with Burr Brown op-amps.
The mod includes bypassing the stock analog stage completely, taking the pure analog signal from the digital circuit board to a tube output stage via a simple first-order filter. The tube analog stage is pure Class A with zero feedback. It uses two Cryo'd 5687 NOS Tung-Sol tubes.
This unit also has Bybee fillters on the AC input.

The workmanship and soldering quality is very fine, and the number of very high quality parts used is most impressive. I believe most of the caps replaced in mine were switched to Auricaps.

I bought this machine because I wanted an all in one unit. I've owned a Sony 333ES SACD player, so I got a taste of the technology, but the 333 wasn't nearly good enough on cds to replace my Sony7000dvd/Monarchy Dip upsampler/ Bolder modded ART DI/O digital front end, and didn't play dvds. I'd been eyeballing the 999 for a while, but I wasn't convinced a stock unit could replace my rig either. Whan this 2 month old modded 999 came along at a good price, I gave it a shot. Not to give too much away, but I'm ecstatic at the outcome.

First off, I'll dispose of the video issue. I'm not a videophile, and have been very pleased with the picture from my Sony 7000. I've had a couple other decent dvd players, and the Sony always had a crisper, cleaner picture. The 999 pic looks very similar, but has a bit more resolution. On the James Taylor Live dvd (a great recording!), you can clearly and easily see the weave of the fabric in his denim shirt, while the 7000 doesn't show it as crisply. Very adequate picture for me; I usually use the unit in the Video Off mode, as the sound is better on music only discs.

I've recently moved to the Bolder Modded (basic mods w/ BolderPS) ART DI/O
from my long term (3 yrs.!) DAC, the MSB Gold (also w/ upgraded PS). I found the ART to be smoother, better defined, with a blacker background and more liquid presentation. It outpointed the MSB in every way, except for deep bass output. I'm happy to report that this modded 999 easily trumps the ART DI/O in the same manner: it produces the cleanest, most grain free soundfield, the best instrumental definition, focus and room ambience retrieval I've ever heard. On good recordings, (SACD and CD), the rear wall of my room seems to absolutely disappear in a manner I've only heard on a couple of occasions on $50-$150k well matched systems. I've never experienced this phenomenon in a system I've owned, and it is absolutely stunning. My non-audiophile wife is just as captivated as I. On top of that the bass is tighter and much deeper. Pipe organ pressurizes the room almost like the real thing heard live in a great church or hall. All very cool.
A couple of other notes: this player is not built like the more expensive Sony ES macines, but is very similar in build quality to the 7000 dvd. Dan Wright replaces nearly everything in the signal path with first rate components, so you don't get the mechanical construction, but you do get first rate signal parts and design.
Up to this point, my refence digital front ends were the Levinson 31/30.5, the ThetaData/GenV or with headphones, the Sennheiser Orpheus. I'm not as familiar with the newer offerings, so I make no claim about how this 999ES compares to them. I do believe this player compares very favorably in every way (sonically) to my references. The production of realistic holographic sound images to me is the ultimate audio experience. The fact that one can now acheive this at an affordable price is a true blessing. YMMV, of course.

BTW, I've not said anything about CD vs. SACD. I've compared several recordings that I own in both formats, and the SACD easily trumps the CDs. The cds just sound more 2 dimensional and a bit rougher and less refined. For me, though, with 1200 or so CDs, the big news is the amazing redbook playback of this unit. I do hope to get a lot more SACDs in future now that my main rig can play them.


Product Weakness: Voided warranty; not as well built as the $5k+ sonic competition. Tubes!
Product Strengths: Sonic heaven at an affordable price! No more digital interconnects, anti-jitterbugs, extra DAC boxes; plays 3 formats, video and multi channel too if you want it. Tubes!


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: PS HCA2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): CJ PFR
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony 999ES,Sony 7000 as transport, Monarchy DIP upsampler,MSB Gold DAC
Speakers: VMPS 626R w/ Auricaps, Legacy Impact sub
Cables/Interconnects: .99999 braided silver/teflon and TQ I/Cs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots
Room Size (LxWxH): 22 x 18 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Two wall of glass
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Cable 2000(front end only)
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Modded SACD Players ModWight Sony 999ES CD Player/Recorder - jonbee 22:11:28 08/5/03 ( 0)