question about sony 300 disc cd player

sda2mike

i love the convenience of this machine! when on shuffle, you never know what's coming next...however, when i sometimes play a cd in my cheapo (free) zenith dvd player, the sound is much more 'spacious', if you will. i think i'm talking about soundstage here...anyway, the sony has an optical output. are there any upgrade possibilities here? thanks!

F1nut

sda2mike wrote:

are there any upgrade possibilities here? thanks!

I'll be blunt, absolutely. Throw that POS out and get a nice single tray player. You can thank me later.

dorokusai

I love generalizations, good work guys.

aaharvel

i just learned that lesson myself. And thank you Dorokusai for the advice on using analog interconnects instead of the optical. My H/K's d/a converters are not as nice as the ones on my new single disc Es player.

Mike682

sda2mike wrote:

i love the convenience of this machine! when on shuffle, you never know what's coming next...however, when i sometimes play a cd in my cheapo (free) zenith dvd player, the sound is much more 'spacious', if you will. i think i'm talking about soundstage here...anyway, the sony has an optical output. are there any upgrade possibilities here? thanks!

When you run the Zenith, is it hooked up the same way as the Sony? Do use the same equipment for both? I'm just trying to create a baseline..

The optical cable is an option..

You are right, the 300 disc changer is a great thing to have, especially if you are hosting a party.

disneyjoe7

I use the Sony 300 CD player with the optical digital output, I believe it's night and day vs. the analog output. IMHO

aaharvel

disneyjoe7 wrote:

I use the Sony 300 CD player with the optical digital output, I believe it's night and day vs. the analog output. IMHO

yeah I think it just depends on which d/a converter you want to use- the one in your receiver/pre or the one in your disc player.

the one in my sony 209es transport is top notch- better than the one in my Harman Kardon receiver at least to my ears.

Yet the one in my sony 5disc nc685 dvd changer isn't so hot for 2channel Redbook playback- so for that one I use the digitial out and let my H/K receiver handle the dirty work.

F1nut

dorokusai wrote:

I love generalizations, good work guys.

No generalization, those kind of changers have notoriously bad sound quality no matter which output is used, end of story.

I love comments that stick to the topic, good work bro.

dorokusai

Just FYI, the ES class high capacity CDP's not only have a better chassis and sturdier construction overall, but the proprietary DAC changes as well. We can agree that it isn't world class, but give the rhetoric a break. You know ES gear as well as I do, if I recall correctly....

I remember the days of the SCD-XA777ES and you waxing poetically about it's performance and how great it sounded, and this was after more than a couple visits to Soundworks and their like minded businesses....then comes the MF and the tune changes like the Sony was the worst player in the world. YAWN. It's like your embarrassed about your audio evolution. The SCD-1 and SCD-777ES are STILL excellent examples of CDP's and used in MANY rigs as reference transports. Perhaps the other portion of your rig was at fault, perhaps it was your cables, but we'll never know as you replaced it all in one shot....clean slate, and placebo in FULL effect.

Not everyone can afford a MF Tri-Vista or Jolida Tube CDP, so why must we always **** on regular gear in this place? Just because something sounds better to an individual doesn't classify it as "highly recommended" in my book, ever.

This is SO common for Polk forum, and it's not like this place is ultra high end. It keeps it's user base because it's normal and leveraged in reality....unlike Audio Asylum, for example. Why do we feel compelled to crap on other peoples' gear?

Maybe the individual has a budget....or a tight budget.

Maybe the individual enjoys the convenience of a multi-disc or mega-changer.

Maybe the individual has a particular like for a particular piece of gear....nope, we suggest 100 alternatives to his logic.

NOOO, not for Polk forum, we presume the poster is a moron and doesn't know how to spend his money wisely. It may be the case in some respects, but that's usually reflected in the post itself.

NOOO, not for Polk forum, as even if the individual suggests a <500 budget, some genius comes out and suggests a $1500 piece of gear, or something equally buried in nonsense.

I think this place needs to take a step back and read more, post less.

This is exactly why I NEVER ask questions about what I SHOULD buy....and why I am not recommending gear to anyone, any longer.

F1nut

We've covered this before and he is NOT talking about a Sony ES player, which I still hold in high regard, he's talking about a basic Sony 300 CD mega changer. I know that you know quality sound doesn't come out of them and by the sounds of it, he just found that out too. IMO, it's a good thing to try and raise the bar a little around here. As someone who knows better gear I would think you'd want to also.

dorokusai

I know he's not talking about an ES changer, as I have the ability to read. Keep the reply in context please.

F1nut

My reply was totally in context. You're the one who seems to have wandered off the path.

dorokusai

I see that you don't want to answer anything per the body, i.e. context, of the reply. Have fun, happy listening Yoda.

F1nut

I'll address a few items to refresh your memory, it was the XA777ES that I owned, not the 777ES. I did not replace everything at once, it was actually one piece at a time starting with the amp and absolutely NO placebo effect. Other than that, SDA2Mike asked about better performance from his mega changer and I offered the best advice I could give from my experience with audio gear. What advice have you offered him?

dorokusai

We're splitting hairs with the nomenclature of the gear, which is the bulk of your response. SCD-777ES vs SCD-XA777ES, and that's the bulk of what you argue? It's fixed, FYI, but you knew what I meant huh?

You still haven't answered the question, and that essentially says it all.

The "advice" was in the previous, original statement. You're generalizing, period. I wasn't aware I had to elaborate on YOUR comment, other than it was generic.

How about the when you suggested a TEAC ESOTERIC DVDP in a thread specifically about a Denon DVDP? Just rationalize that for me, specifically.

Here's the thread, for your reference:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23090&highlight=esoteric

I don't think I've seen you recommend a TEAC Esoteric series since, shouldn't it be in your audio vocabulary? It's expensive, and received alot of hype....oh wait, hype over, now it's just another review....nevermind.

audiobliss

Woohoo! Good read!

Can agree with both sides simultaneously! Hmm...what's that mean........lol

aaharvel

audiobliss wrote:

Woohoo! Good read!

Can agree with both sides simultaneously! Hmm...what's that mean........lol

me too. i think it was my fault this train got derailed and we're discussing es cdps. No bad intentions; I was only trying to thank dorokusai for the advice from a few days ago on the subject- i should have just pm'ed him. sorry.

sda2mike

wow!!! i saw i had 17 responses to my question, only to find a debate on how to give advice...oh well, what i got from it was that for critical listening, it would be best to have a top-quality single disc cdp.

to answer some questions....my dvd and cdp are hooked up the same way..to my rcvr.

my rcvr is a circa 1972 marantz 2270...so no on board processing

from all the responses i rcvd..i did cull some useful info...thanks everybody

reeltrouble1

hehehehehehe, nothing wrong with a little learning debate, just call me before the pistols come out and the dueling begins .

Had two non-audio folk couples over on Sat. they love music though, one a tall sultry blond with a arm band tattoo. When she heard the SDA-SRS through the POS-Disc Changer she said Oh MY walked up to the SDA saying, Look at This, I thought she was going to mount it. She gave the cabinet a caress then she sat down and listened, totally involved in the tunes. Soon the women were gathered in the room while us boys were out around the grill. The women could really of cared less about the gear so sometimes being uninformed is bliss.

Unfortunately, well not really, those that hang here for anytime do receive a down and dirty education, sometimes the hard way, having audio mentors is part of the hobby and experience. So you go through the levels seeking your personal nervana.

Mike said he liked the "convenience" of the changer, I can really understand and believe there is a place for these changers in my "family" entertainment rack. First off it keeps my discs neatly organized and safely away from guests or little ones who cant wait to get their fingers all over things. And as said it is nice to hit random and just let her play. The DAC's in my changer do not sound bad just not the best, of course stating the obvious here. I can simply dial up a disc and place into a better machine when its "smoking jacket" time or someone who undertands wants to listen.

Mike came to his conclusion and now knows he going to need a player. How about the new Bel Canto, uses a Pioneer transport and goes for around 5700.00. As far as possibilites for the Sony, well, consider an outboard DAC to run the Sony optical to I would think it would be an addition worth considering.

RT1

sda2mike

thanks reeltrouble!! sounds like a FUN BBQ!
i will checkout outbrd convertors..as well as the $5700 cdp, you mentioned..that is BTW just a little out of my own price point
sometimes, i'm sure you'll agree, sonic difference doesn't always equate to price difference.
'smoking jacket time'....love it! so true

aaharvel

that's a great idea. an outboard DAC would sound really great. Check e-bay. Last night there were quite a few on there at reasonable prices.

if I hadn't gotten such a steal on my newly acquired player I would have gone the external dac route.

sda2mike

let the cruising commence!

sda2mike

aaharvel wrote:

that's a great idea. an outboard DAC would sound really great. Check e-bay. Last night there were quite a few on there at reasonable prices.

if I hadn't gotten such a steal on my newly acquired player I would have gone the external dac route.

i'm not finding anything on ebay for digital analog convertor???

reeltrouble1

Go Look on Audiogon.com just click on DAC, Run a search on Ebay for DAC in consumer electronics.

aaharvel

sda2mike wrote:

i'm not finding anything on ebay for digital analog convertor???

i typed "d/a converter"

sda2mike

that's the ticket! thanks!

reeltrouble1

Better beware!!!!!!!!!! You do this and I am not responsible!!! mmmmmmm........sounds good now, what, need a new pre, need an amp, need IC, etc, etc, etc.

Have Fun.

RT1

sda2mike

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Better beware!!!!!!!!!! You do this and I am not responsible!!! mmmmmmm........sounds good now, what, need a new pre, need an amp, need IC, etc, etc, etc.

Have Fun.

RT1

HUH!? :eek:

F1nut

dorokusai wrote:

You still haven't answered the question, and that essentially says it all.

You never asked a direct question for me or anyone else to answer. Rather, you seem to be unhappy with the way I responded to Mike's post and IMO, have gone about it in a low down way.

The "advice" was in the previous, original statement. You're generalizing, period.

I asked you what advice you'd given SDA2Mike?

You will note that I do not recommend any specfic piece of gear anywhere in this thread, so the tangent you went off on is unwarranted. :rolleyes:



SDA2Mike, the suggestion about a outboard DAC has merit, however it will not correct the basic flaw of mega changers, the transport. I will digress at this point and excuse myself from this debacle. Good luck in your quest.

reeltrouble1

oh yea, Jesse is right on, dont fret, as you are reading about the used DAC's many will mention how they come with the seperate piece to correct the clocking jitter or whatever. Or you can buy one of those. Lots of companies sell matched sets. Of course all this stuff has its own heirarchy in prestige and price, use common sense.

Did you ever read the TommyKnockers, where the guy tripped over just the tiniest part of a spaceship? Thats what audio is like, you keep digging till the whole enchilada gets revealed. Then you decide what matters to you and your rig.

RT1

disneyjoe7

reeltrouble1 wrote:

When she heard the SDA-SRS through the POS-Disc Changer she said Oh MY walked up to the SDA saying, Look at This, I thought she was going to mount it.
RT1

LOL that's too funny.

To Doro and F1nut,

Love ya both, really so can you two stop the ****?