purk

The SCD-1's strenght is in SACD playback, the redbook is only very good at most. However, after clock, caps, and op-amps upgrade, they do sound excellent in redbook too.

I'm not really sure to be honest, b/c I didn't buy them new. Most my Sony SCD machines were bought used. The only unit that had to replace the laser thus far was the SACDmods C555ES, and a three months after that I sold the unit. $300 to $400 repair bill every 4 years doesn't sound so bad to be honest. They do sound really great and for how much I bought the unit for, I won't be able to buy anything that as good for the same price. The folks at RAM also think that the SCD-777ES/SCD-1 stock are still one of the best sounding units out there at this price point.

Based on my experience with these Sony SCD units (SCD-C333ES, C555ES, 555ES, SCD-777ES, and SCD-1), the problems usually start with SACDs first, following by CD-Rs, and Redbook CDs last when the laser starts to go bad. The good thing is parts are still available and it doesn't cost arm and leg to repair these units. However, expect to pay around $100 shipping each way if you want to send the SCD-777ES/SCD-1 in for mods or repair as they both are over 55lb. Once the unit is repaired, the unit should last for 3 or 4 more years. I will start stocking up on lasers b/c I really like these units.

Time to replace the laser and lube the gear and trasport. My modded SCD-777ES has been working flawlessly for over 2 years now. I had three or four discs that won't read properly, but the success rate is over 95% so far. Knock on wood! T The ealier versions (pre-2001) of those units are not that reliable, however, they are supposed to be pretty reliable for 2001, 2002. The optical laser is only $140, so the part is not so bad. However, shipping cost will get expensive when the SCD-1/SCD-777ES have problems. My modded SCD-777ES is a 1999 model and I believe that the previous owner have replaced the laser once. I will stock up on laser for both since I have SCD-1 & SCD-777ES.

Postjack, You might want to shoot Tom Hankins a PM. He had the SA-11S1 in his system for awhile. I don't think he was very impress by it.

riceboy, The 840 is relative cheap in comparison to other source and seem to be very popular right now. You might want to grab one off audiogon and check it out on your system. You probably can get most of your money back if you don't like it. Has the seller ship your R10 yet? You might want to bring your R10 in to demo the 840C as well. Purk

Wow...amazing pictures. Thanks for those wonderful images.

I think the transport problem is only existed on Mark I. I almost bought the Krell back for $1300 three months ago. Luckily I didn't follow through with the deal. What sad though is all those pretty MF Trivista will soon be just big paperweights.

Thanks again guy. I'm listening to my fully working DHA3000 right now! Matt Anker brought the coaxial input back to life so I finally have a perfect working DHA3000 again. My SCD-1 is also working like charm again, thanks to a master technician who live 10 mins away. No more money spend on shipping gears to repair.

Thanks again guys!! I took half a day off to do a little celebration.

I would not get the Krell SACD standard. I believe Krell use a problematic Philips transport which is also featured in the MF Trivista, and Philips SACD1000. Stay away from these units.

Tom, Yes, I'm considering a Super Clock 4 on it, but as far as the sound goes...I'm extremely please with it. The modded Sony SCD-777ES has really come to life in my headphone systems.

Yes, all that has changed after I got my modded 777ES a tube rectified PSU. Dan Wright personally told me that my unit is equal to his best work. I can take it further with the new clock Tom and better tubes from Mikhail.

correction!

Yes, the Denon 2900 is likely the best deal on a used market right now. Wonder how much is the going price for them. Around $1400 to $18000 I think. The Exemplar 2900's redbook is pretty impressive. Purk

Tom, When you heard the Denon, it didn't have the Amperex 7062PW in there. I'm a bigger fan of Exemplar 2900 over the Modwright 999ES however. I can't say for sure on the modwright 3910 (never auditioned it before), but my kern/modwright SCD-777ES is a good bit better than the Exemplar 2900..which it should be given the price difference.

That is the average going price for the exemplar 3910. I believe you can send the unit to John to get balanced output done for less than $350. The Denon 3910 & 2900 is much more reliable than my Sony though. [mod edit]fixed quote, i think...

Michael, Would you like to lend me the SR-007 MKII? I probably will get either the OII or OII MK II at the end of this year or early next year. My wife is cool with the R10 as she loved them, but she said that the Orpheus leaks out the sound too much and warm up the room.

Thanks very much Headcase crews! I will make sure that I listen to good tunes for you guys. As a birthday present, I need to make sure that wife will allow me to keep the R10 and Orheus for many years to come. Birgir, I might try the O2 out of these days!

How much is BH-SE going for?

Get some rest florida crews. When will be the next florida meet?

Thanks for the brief impression on her R10. See Dusty! More impressions anyone?

It is a nice headphone but not amazing. The tonality of the pair I've heard was a bit too cold and the midrange is definitely bright and recessed at the expense of trying to achieve larger soundstage. The detail in recordings is better, but still far from Qualia and R10 level. The bass is more controlled and has a nice definition, but the bass quantity is lacking in comparison to all of myheadphones, including my R10s. I believe MarkL try to modify the sound of his Denon after the sound of the bass light R10. In a way, he has turned the D5000 from a fairly upfront presentation headphone with over slightly emphassis bass with good bass impact and vocals (not very controlled, however) into the above. However, that is an expense of midrange, and warmth of the original headphone. I always found my R10 to be extremely resolving with amazing midrange, warmth, beautiful tones, and plenty of details....so I would rate the Nikongod D5000 to be an improvement over the stock D5000, but certainly a long way from matching the sound of the R10s in my system.

I respectfully disagree too. :D See Dusty.

Well....that what I have been saying all along regarding the R10. In the right system with the amp tunes for them, the R10 is just so wonderful. Vicki's R10 (bassy version) system is pretty amazing. Her Extreme Platinum sounds very dynamics. You should check out the HD-650 with her amp as well. BTW, the Exemplar Denon 2900 is one pretty impressive unit.