A Tale of Two Players For most people who care about sound quality, endorsements like Dunlavy's and Morgan's will be enough to inspire a trip to a local dealer.  No need to take anyone's word when it comes to audio--the most important opinion is one's own, and SACD is no exception.  But as of this writing, only two SACD players are available--the SCD-1 and SCD-777ES.  Both players are substantial at nearly 60 lbs and both are from Sony.  The audio community salutes Sony for its attempt to introduce high end components, but nevertheless, options are limited when evaluating the new format. The SCD-1, a $5,000 unit that provides two-channel playback for CD and SACD, could be Sony's disc player masterpiece.   It has five anti-vibration devices (watch for SoundReproduction's upcoming article on the problems of vibration) and the chassis is built like a cross between a tank and a lambourgini.  The SCD-777ES is similar in every way but lacks some anti-vibration mechanisms of the SCD-1. Many audio people have determined that both models are equally good at SACD playback, while the SCD-1 holds the edge in CD audio.  CD playback remains an important consideration for those who have sizeable CD collections, especially since the rollout for SACD titles will be slow.  George Sallit is an audiophile who has familiarized himself with both SCD models in a system that includes an Audionote M2 preamplifier, AudioNote Ankoru power amplifiers and Audionote E/Sp speakers. Here is what Sallit had to say about CD playback on the SCD-1: "It certainly improved over the month when it was left on continually, with changes in the last week being fairly small.  I managed to compare it with the SCD-777ES and found the 777ES to be 'darker' and less spot-lit.  It was more difficult to hear the details.  The differences weren't huge but they were there, and all preferred the SCD-1.  The differences were worth the [higher cost].   The main features of the SCD-1 [in terms of CD performance] is that it has a smooth top end that doesn't suffer badly from glare. Unlike the AudioNote CD players, you get the smoothness without too much life being taken from the music.  The bass is very even and clean without overhang/lumpiness. The midrange is excellent but lacks the 'human-ness' of the triodes in the Audionotes."  Sallit's opinion is that the SCD-1 is worth its price for CD performance alone. Others are convinced that Sony's players are not top-notch for CD and therefore, probably should not be considered high end for SACD either. Audiophile and photography/photo-historian Tom Jacobson had this to say: "I've had more of a chance to listen to the 777ES and finally came to the decision that it is most likely as mediocre an SACD player as it is a CD player.  This player, in other words, probably does about as good a job on SACDs as it does on regular CDs.   That means that SACD is potentially much better than it sounds on these machines." But Jacobson acknowledged the superior sound of SACD.  "Wait until some really good players come along--this new music delivery system will really sing!  To bad we didn't have SACDs from the beginning.  I am hearing piano that has a real top end, the sweet, beautiful ping that the piano has--not a glossed over mess.  Horns sound sweet!  Strings have never sounded like this on CD.  When the better sounding players get out there, this SACD thing is going to be one hell of a 21st Century musical blessing." Continued...

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