Hello! I'm new to the forums, but I've enjoyed seeing how wonderful the community is here and thought I would ask my question/s here. I currently have a Sony CDP-CE375 (which I've had since the 90s). It's been reliable and I've loved it, but it's starting to have a lot of skipping issues nowadays, and I'm thinking I will need to replace it. I have been saving some extra cash in hopes to purchase a higher quality Sony cd player, and I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for what the best Sony cd player ever made is/was? I've heard the Sony CDP-X7ESD and Sony CDP-X707ES and Sony CDP-XA7ES models thrown out there as being some of the top dogs in the Sony line. However, I wish there was a resource online that showed what the top of the line, most expensive Sony players were during the 80's and 90's, but I have no clue if such a resource exists. I understand that I may be a novice, but I would also like to ask...what exactly is the difference between Sony CDP vs Sony SCD? I imagine CDP is Compact Disc Player and SCD is SACD (not sure what it stands f0r), but I don't know what the difference is between them? Does one play cds better or something? Thank you kindly for any help and suggestions!
The one big issue with vintage Sony CD players is that when the laser dies there are no replacement parts available to fix them. Plenty of good sounding modern decks out there.
Not just the laser! In my experience, Sony has the worst post-warranty support of any company I've ever bought from. As soon as the warranty expires on the last unit sold of a given model, there seems to never then be any parts available. I've had it happen several times. I keep buying their products knowing this, largely because in many cases their combination of features, performance and price can't be beat. But gosh darn it is so predictably frustrating when the things eventually break down. Not to mention so environmentally egregious in having to toss out otherwise perfectly good gear that should last much longer than it does. Jeff
I am not agree at all. I have one working without problem even after 40 years. Laser can be fixed most of the time just the diods die and has to be changed or laser to be cleaned. The mechanism is better then some of the Philips ones. CD_ALPHABETICAL Acording to Lukas Fikus the best are ESD 557,555,,337,333.338 and 227.
SCD-1 was fun for a while. Had one of those. If i was looking, I'd seek out a CDP-R1, DAS-R1 player from the late 80s, for nostalgic reasons. But yes, the ES series were really nice too.
I had several high end Sony’s that mistracked all the time. I bought a cheap Magnavox; problem solved.
Depends I have had many , today I would use every single older Sony Es as a pure transport. But I use a xa20es (basicly the budget version of the xa50es) well worth the little money they cost today. I also use what I call my reference transport the Sony scd777 , I don't think I've even seen a better build transport in its class. It's the same pick up the scd1 used , the only difference between the two the scd1 had balanced vs the scd777. Also a different aesthetic chassis wise. It was approx 10lbs heavier vs the scd777 which is a hair shy of 60lbs I won't separate from mine, I also use a ca9es multi disc which we used virtually daily for background music on shuffle. It's the perfect fit with the xa20es series .. And then in my 40 year old marantz stack I use a Sony cdp101 (worlds first commercially available CD player) nearly 40 years old. Still plays fantastic, may it be the dac was rather mediocre. We call it character... I also had for a whole pioneer elite gear pretty much their pd flagships. And they all failed me,I feel Sony on the digital front?! Absolutely build like brick houses. The cdp101 you can flip upside down and it will not skip pretty ridiculous. And yes, I've done it all in the name of science. She's a happy camper since then and well pampered. Just for the critics
Well this SACD/CD player has been in the classifieds here for a while: Sony SCD-XA5400ES, mint and serviced I have no affiliation with the Seller.
I own one, too. It's a great sounding, reliable machine. At least, mine is. EDIT: Isn't interesting we both used the word "machine." That's because, it is. Heavy and solid, it isn't going to fall off the shelf because you are pulling on the RCA cable.
I wish I had a Sony es cd player! I heard one once and it was sublime. Don't remember the exact setup or model I just recall being impressed. I think Sony should make a audio based disc player based on the UHP-H1/x800/x1000 style chassis. I love how quiet the UBP-x800 is. I can't hear it at all when spinning discs. How come other manufactures struggle making a quiet transport/disc player? The x800 is pretty budget level price too. They should make a new ES type cd/sacd player. Man that would be great, one can dream. Are the Sony ES CD players quiet? I heard one once hooked up to a nice tube amp and Graham LS5/9. I liked it more then the Brooklyn DAC, but maybe I just enjoye
That's not shocking ,the scd1 and scd777 were the first scd of their kind. You're talking about a DAC age gap here. Accuphase at the time used the ksh180 transport (scd1/scd777) at their luxury price of 12k us. Transport wise the scd1 and scd777 sh@t all over the later models easily. Hook up a good DAC to the scd1 it's that simple. Even a relative cheap CD player these days DAC wise will outperform most old gear with relative ease. Can't go around the age they are and dacs have always kind of progressed. But there is no Sony out there that is build like your scd1/scd777 the dacs are grossly outdated that's an easy fix.
Basically find a Sony ES in good condition and one that uses the Famed TDA 1541 DAC chip - many audiophiles prefer the sound of CD players using that chip over modern CD players/DACs using ESS Sabre 9xxx chips for example. Assuming it has a digital output you can always add an external DAC later to find out.
I am going to vote for the UBP-x1100 ES, if allowed to name something that does more than CD. It is a universal 4K UHD player and built like a tank. I own the previous UBP-X1000ES to base my opinion.
No Sony CD mechanism is even close to a Philips CDM-o, CDM-1, or CD-PRO or CD-PRO2, the best ever built.
