Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Sony CE 775 CD Player/Recorder by Frank I

Model:	CE 775
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$349.00
Description:	5 Disc carousel sacd/cd player
Manufacturer URL:	Sony
Manufacturer URL:	Sony

Review by Frank I ( A ) on February 20, 2002 at 09:34:24
IP Address: 152.163.205.67

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for the CE 775

I have been using this player for about one month now so I can give an objective review as it is completly burned in. I was very skeptical about purchasing a cheap Sony player but I felt at this time it was the best way for me to try the SACD format. I had also auditioned the 9000 es which is a better player and also cost three times as much. The Sony ce 775 is a five disc carousel player that also does multichannel of which I have not auditioned it in. I have used this in my 2 channel system which consist of the Cat sl1 mk 11, CJ Premier 11a, Classe CDP.5, all interconnects and speaker wires are MIT tube terminators. The speakers used were the Revel Performa F30. The system is very revealing of all deficiencys in components.
The ce 775 is a very musical SACD player. I listened to Issac Stern Tchaikowsky which will test the midrange and tremble on any sytem. The first thing I noticed was the detail of the violin and what seemed like an endless reach in to the highs, I heard the bow of the violin striking the strings and the body of the instrument. It sounded very real and dynamic. I heard no digital glare or grain on this recording. I also used Terrence Blanchards SACD which really showcased the midrange on this player. The female vocals recorded on this album are absoulutely stunning. I could hear very clearly and a well defined Jane Monheit on Too young to go steady and there was no sibiliance at all. The performance she gives on this cut is mesmerizing. I also hear Blanchards trumpet as I have never heard it reproduced on Cd. There is air around the instrument and a definition that sounds completly real. The midrange on this inexpensive player is to die for. On Dances With Wolves you get the full symphony treatment and the performance does not dissapoint. You can hear separation of instruments, well defined bass, and a soundstage that extends well beyond the speakers. On Monks No Chaser you can experience the piano at its finest reproduction. The drum solos are well recorded. I hear the power of the kick drum and the sticks hitting the drum skins and cymbals sound very lively and not splassy. You can also clearly hear the piano pedals as Monk strikes them. The SACD format is exciting and it is a definite improvement over CD. I will also recommend that all audiophiles get there hands on a player to experience this exciting format. I really cant see how anyone could go wrong with this player for the price. The SACD performance is phenomenal. On redbook cd it is a good sounding player. I cant say that it is close in performance to my Classe cd .5 but it does come close to the Marantz 63 I use in my second system. I am using this in my main system for SACD only as my Classe also is a hdcd player and much more musical in redbook.
So for 349.00 with six sacd from Music Direct I think this player is a steal. It does not sound cheap and is very musical, The player uses the Burr Brown 1702 dacs and I was told some other high quality parts. It is a tribute to Sony for building a player for so little money that sounds as good as the CE775. I think it sounds superb has a great midrange and tremble and decent bass. If it does have any weakness it would be in the bass as the 9000es simply has better bass. But for the money I cant see any shortcomings in not buying this player and experience the SACD format. Nice job Sony

Product Weakness: none at this price
Product Strengths: SACD-midrange to die for and no harsness or glare.Completly musical

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	CJ premier 11a
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CAT SL1 MK 11
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	classe cdp .5, vpi hw 19 jr
Speakers:	Revel performa F30
Cables/Interconnects:	MIT 330
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical,pop, Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Power Wedge
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	none at this price
Product Strengths:	SACD-midrange to die for and no harsness or glare.Completly musical