Other Source Component Reviews

While looks are important, it's sound quality that really makes an audio product. Knowing that SACD was coming, I thought long and hard on what equipment I wanted to use to review it with. Initially, I thought I'd borrow a Krell pre/pro and amp and a set of Aerial Acoustics speakers from others on the staff. But really, what would that tell me? If it sounded good with that gear, it would just confirm that SACD is strictly an audiophile product of dubious value to mainstream users. After some thought, I decided to test it with my usual, decidedly midrange test system, which includes a Denon AVR-3300—one of the few inexpensive A/V receivers that has an analog passthrough circuit, essentially allowing the processing of the Sony SACD to reach the speakers without being redigitized. I used the Denon strictly as a preamp/processor, getting my power from an AMC 2N100-5 amplifier, which I think has a warmer, stronger sound than the onboard amp on the Denon. For speakers, I used a pair of Monitor Audio 703s, which I love for their clear imaging. The whole system barely costs more than the SACD player itself, but it's more typical of what most of our readers own. Although it's impossible to find another non-Sony player to compare with the SCD-777ES, dual-layer discs make it possible to compare SACD against CD on the player. Using Sony's hybrid CD-SACD sampler disc, which contains the music of Yo-Yo Ma and Wynton Marsalis, I put the player through its paces.

Those of you who are religious scholars or Lutherans probably know the story of Martin Luther. After nearly being struck by lightning, he promised God he'd dedicate his life to religion. Once I heard the opening notes of Appalachia Waltz, as played by Yo-Yo Ma, I knew exactly how Luther felt. The cello sounded like it was in the room with me. The room filled with harmonics, which are usually lost in digital recordings. Nothing—not even my limited experience with DVD-Audio—sounded this real, this live, this amazing. The same recording in CD sounded limited, boxed in, and fake. Track after track, time after time, the experience was the same. Keep in mind, the CD player on the unit is pretty amazing in and of itself, with five separate sets of filters to improve the sound of your legacy CDs.

Immediately, my perception of this player as some high-end niche product was completely dashed. Through my mid-fi system, SACD was creating amazing sound. Rarely am I totally blown away by a product, preferring to take a more-detached view. With SACD, I couldn't. The music was so emotionally involving and real, I could barely contain my enthusiasm. Honestly, I can't tell you how to spend your money. But if music and how it sounds are even mildly important to you, you're going to want one of these. If you are a hard-core audiophile, you need one . . . right now. I remember my excitement when I first saw real high-definition TV, with its film-like picture. This is just as exciting, if not more so. When SACD becomes the standard for high-quality audio (and it will, in my opinion), I'll always remember the first time I heard it through my system. I'm betting you will, too. So much for being a cynic.

Highlights
• Better sound than any-thing this side of digital master tapes
• Excellent build quality
• Did we mention the amazing sound?