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#1
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Any Sony CD Guru out there?
Hi All,
I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? And does anyone know of another source for the optical pickup? Or an alternative which could be used instead? Thanks in advanced. Yung |
#2
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wrote in message oups.com... Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? **ABSOLUTELY! Sony have turned out some shockers over the years, but the XA7ES is not one of them. A superb sounding and beautifully constructed CD player. Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? And does anyone know of another source for the optical pickup? Or an alternative which could be used instead? **Keep trying with the US source. -- Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au |
#3
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wrote in message
oups.com Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? Probably not. Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. |
#4
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"Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... wrote in message oups.com Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? Probably not. **I'll certainly pay the price of a laser for a non-functioning XA7ES. They're superb CD players. Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. **Wanna bet? -- Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au |
#5
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You might look for a dead one that has a good laser assembly on a
marketplace newsgroup, or have someone in the US freight forward it for you. Probably a $160 new CD player will not be as good as your Sony-it might be but I'd not bet on it. The bottom line is that build cost usually will out-your player probably cost more to build than new ones do. While some of that may be offset by genuine improvement, materials and processes haven't greatly changed in-what,15 years?- so a more cheaply built unit won't last as long. This is certainly true of VCR's-given replacement parts of quality, you cannot buy one new as good as what was made in the first years of front-load production. It's true of washing machines, car engines, and many other things as well. |
#6
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questions are is the player worth repairing? Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? And does anyone know of another source for the optical pickup? Or an alternative which could be used instead? There's always ebay. Either a complete nice looking unit, or a beat up one you could swap the transport out of. A problem of what would need readjusting might come up, though. You could transplant all the boards and transport together, or transplant any damaged covers or trim. |
#7
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"Trevor Wilson" wrote in message ... wrote in message oups.com... Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? **ABSOLUTELY! Sony have turned out some shockers over the years, but the XA7ES is not one of them. A superb sounding and beautifully constructed CD player. I'll second Trevor on this one. I'm holding onto a Phillips 880 and looking for a laser replacement for the same reason. The Sony is a superbly built unit. Back in the day, I did a head-to-head of theat unit, the Phillips, and the top of the line Denon (can't remember the model number). The Phillips and the Sony ran very close together...the Sony was probably more neutral and had the signature Sony house sound. I preferred the Phillips slightly and so bought it, but could have been happy with the Sony. Nothing being sold below $2000 today is built like these units were. Replace the optical pickup and it'll be good for another 15 years. |
#8
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I'll second Trevor on this one. I'm holding onto a Phillips 880 and looking for a laser replacement for the same reason. The Sony is a superbly built unit. Back in the day, I did a head-to-head of theat unit, the Phillips, and the top of the line Denon (can't remember the model number). The Phillips and the Sony ran very close together...the Sony was probably more neutral and had the signature Sony house sound. I preferred the Phillips slightly and so bought it, but could have been happy with the Sony. Nothing being sold below $2000 today is built like these units were. Replace the optical pickup and it'll be good for another 15 years. In all consumer products-and many capital ones too-there is a quality curve. The best are made at some point where they have the tech pretty well down but the pressure to cut costs hasn't set in and there is a desire not to monkey with the good thing. Once cost cutting sets in, quality goes out the door because given the time value of money people perceive that the cheaper one is "good enough" and the delta in price can be reinvested to replace it: also, the buyer doesn't understand the difference between the new one and the old one and so the new shiny warranted one looks pretty good. (How many new car buyers appreciate the difference between a well machined heavy sand cast cylinder head and a near-net-shape lost foam one, which has virtually no excess meat to machine and depends on an epoxy coating to keep coolant out of the oil?) If you cut the cost and hold up the price, you make more profit. Of course the price comes down eventually, but as long as cost reduction leads price fall you benefit in absolute as well as relative terms. A lot of this is perception. When the customer perceives that the old one was better, he gets conservative and less likely to buy, and our economy is set up so you buy, buy, buy. You cannot buy a well made consumer-format video cassette recorder new, as far as I know, at any price-the well made decks are all strictly professional format. You cannot buy a really well-made 35mm camera anymore, except the M Leica, and that's been cheapened significantly from early ones. Although much high end audio equipment has design flaws or is overpriced, it's the only source of reasonably well built audio equipment suitable for home use for the most part. (A few pro pieces are suitable for home use, but relatively few-and much pro equipment today is really prosumer, e.g. anything from Behringer, Alesis, Mackie, and many products of legit American companies like Crown.) You cannot buy a portable shortwave radio as well made as the Zenith Trans-Oceanics(although certain Sonys and Sangeans do outperform themn in some ways). It's a long and sad list. |
#9
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wrote in message oups.com... I'll second Trevor on this one. I'm holding onto a Phillips 880 and looking for a laser replacement for the same reason. The Sony is a superbly built unit. Back in the day, I did a head-to-head of theat unit, the Phillips, and the top of the line Denon (can't remember the model number). The Phillips and the Sony ran very close together...the Sony was probably more neutral and had the signature Sony house sound. I preferred the Phillips slightly and so bought it, but could have been happy with the Sony. Nothing being sold below $2000 today is built like these units were. Replace the optical pickup and it'll be good for another 15 years. In all consumer products-and many capital ones too-there is a quality curve. The best are made at some point where they have the tech pretty well down but the pressure to cut costs hasn't set in and there is a desire not to monkey with the good thing. Once cost cutting sets in, quality goes out the door because given the time value of money people perceive that the cheaper one is "good enough" and the delta in price can be reinvested to replace it: also, the buyer doesn't understand the difference between the new one and the old one and so the new shiny warranted one looks pretty good. (How many new car buyers appreciate the difference between a well machined heavy sand cast cylinder head and a near-net-shape lost foam one, which has virtually no excess meat to machine and depends on an epoxy coating to keep coolant out of the oil?) If you cut the cost and hold up the price, you make more profit. Of course the price comes down eventually, but as long as cost reduction leads price fall you benefit in absolute as well as relative terms. A lot of this is perception. When the customer perceives that the old one was better, he gets conservative and less likely to buy, and our economy is set up so you buy, buy, buy. You cannot buy a well made consumer-format video cassette recorder new, as far as I know, at any price-the well made decks are all strictly professional format. You cannot buy a really well-made 35mm camera anymore, except the M Leica, and that's been cheapened significantly from early ones. Although much high end audio equipment has design flaws or is overpriced, it's the only source of reasonably well built audio equipment suitable for home use for the most part. (A few pro pieces are suitable for home use, but relatively few-and much pro equipment today is really prosumer, e.g. anything from Behringer, Alesis, Mackie, and many products of legit American companies like Crown.) You cannot buy a portable shortwave radio as well made as the Zenith Trans-Oceanics(although certain Sonys and Sangeans do outperform themn in some ways). It's a long and sad list. About two years ago I listed on eBay a video unit that consisted of a top quality (circa '82) Panasonic portable video camera, along with a two piece portable video recorder. Picture quality is superb; low light sensitiviy was as good as any Panasonic has ever made. Build quality was excellent...this was top of the line gear that together retailed for close to $2500 in 1980. It didn't have autofocus, but otherwise met and exceeded in picture and sound quality any tape I have seen made in the last ten years. I put it on eBay at $20, and with no reserve, in a ten-day auction. I described it well (much more detailed than here). I felt sure some aspiring film student or amateur videographer would grab it. I didn't get a single bid. But I won't "throw it". I simply can't bring myself to destroy perfectly good, superbly built gear. |
#10
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"Trevor Wilson" wrote in
message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... wrote in message oups.com Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? Probably not. **I'll certainly pay the price of a laser for a non-functioning XA7ES. They're superb CD players. Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. **Wanna bet? No Trevor, not as long as you're in Australia and I'm in Michigan. |
#11
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"Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "Trevor Wilson" wrote in message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... wrote in message oups.com Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? Probably not. **I'll certainly pay the price of a laser for a non-functioning XA7ES. They're superb CD players. Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. **Wanna bet? No Trevor, not as long as you're in Australia and I'm in Michigan. **Thought so. You should also factor in the following: * The Sony XA7ES has a number of technical features which set it apart from cheap CD players. These include: Proper relay muting. Decent output stage, which does not include primitive, 4558-style output ICs. * I've actually performed a DBT with the XA7ES and a couple of other players (quite respectable, but not cheap ones) and the AX7ES acquitted itself very well indeed. One of those players was the very impressive XA2ES. Have you heard the XA7ES? -- Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au |
#12
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Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since
they should all sound the same according to tests. |
#13
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Arny Krueger wrote:
You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. Can you please recommend some new players comparable to the XA7ES for $200USD? Thanks |
#14
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You have to specify whether you mean "comparable in manufacturing
quality and refinement" or "comparable in sound according to Arny". Since Arny believes all CD players sound the same Arny will be able to recommend just about every product for that price that will play CD's. But, of course, it will be more interesting to hear Arny explain it himself... |
#17
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Arny Krueger wrote:
You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. A player as good as the XA7ES for $160 USD? Which one, praytell? |
#18
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#19
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#20
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"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message ... On 11 Jul 2005 17:27:35 -0700, wrote: Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since they should all sound the same according to tests. In level-matched blind listening tests, these three players sound identical - as any reasonable person would expect. Damn it, there are those pesky expectation effects again. ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#21
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On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 21:08:55 GMT, "Trevor Wilson"
wrote: Sony have turned out some shockers over the years Care to spready your wisdom and name them, Trevor? |
#22
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I recommend asking the retailers on http://www.audiogon.com/, they're
generally smaller operators who don't mind negotiating os postage. //Adam F wrote in message oups.com... Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. I have found a site www.partstore.com who carry it. It's about $160USD or so, but they won't ship outside the US. Have found the same optical pick up on some asian sites, but when I contacted them, they don't have it. My questions are is the player worth repairing? Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? And does anyone know of another source for the optical pickup? Or an alternative which could be used instead? Thanks in advanced. Yung |
#23
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"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message ... On 11 Jul 2005 17:27:35 -0700, wrote: Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since they should all sound the same according to tests. And indeed the good ones *do*, if we're talking about *listening* tests. I have a Sony CDP-715E, one of the best-performing players Sony ever made, although lacking the 'battleship' build of the XA7ES, I have access to a Meridian 588, probably the finest 'high tech' SOTA CD player on the planet, and I also own a Pioneer DV-575A 'universal' player that cost less than the quoted price of a new laser assembly for the XA7ES. In level-matched blind listening tests, these three players sound identical - as any reasonable person would expect. -- Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering Yes Stewart we have all heard your retoric b4 ,are you still deaf? Gordon |
#24
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"paul packer" wrote in message ... On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 21:08:55 GMT, "Trevor Wilson" wrote: Sony have turned out some shockers over the years Care to spready your wisdom and name them, Trevor? **The first player they ever made, was one. The CPD101. I don't recall the others' model numbers. And I don't much care. The XA series, OTOH were superb sounding machines. -- Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au |
#25
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I remember when the XA5 and 7ES came out, had some of the first ones to
try out. Found them to be bright as anything, especially the XA5ES, even using the digital out it proved to be bright. I also remember Greg Borrowmans first review on the 5, he couldnt bring himself to say it but read between the lines and he basically was saying its bright as all buggery! LOL |
#26
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Clyde Slick wrote Stewart Pinkerton wrote calcerise wrote: Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since they should all sound the same according to tests. In level-matched blind listening tests, these three players sound identical - as any reasonable person would expect. Damn it, there are those pesky expectation effects again. Gotta love those Mikhail Tal's moves. |
#27
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Stewart Pinkerton" wrote calcerise wrote: Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since they should all sound the same according to tests. And indeed the good ones *do*, if we're talking about *listening* tests. I have a Sony CDP-715E, one of the best-performing players Sony ever made, although lacking the 'battleship' build of the XA7ES, I have access to a Meridian 588, probably the finest 'high tech' SOTA CD player on the planet, and I also own a Pioneer DV-575A 'universal' player that cost less than the quoted price of a new laser assembly for the XA7ES. In level-matched blind listening tests, these three players sound identical - as any reasonable person would expect. Any reasonable person would most likely also ask that ... when you were performing a level-matched blind listening test among your three cd players namely: 1. Sony CDP-715E 2. Meridian 588 3. Pioneer DV-575A Were you also comparing their sounds from each other? Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering |
#28
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"Trevor Wilson" wrote in
message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "Trevor Wilson" wrote in message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... wrote in message Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. **Wanna bet? No Trevor, not as long as you're in Australia and I'm in Michigan. **Thought so. You should also factor in the following: * The Sony XA7ES has a number of technical features which set it apart from cheap CD players. These include: Proper relay muting. Nothing magic about that. Just something mechanical to break. Decent output stage, which does not include primitive, 4558-style output ICs. Nothing magic about that. Terevor, your phobia about 4558s isn't my problem. * I've actually performed a DBT with the XA7ES and a couple of other players (quite respectable, but not cheap ones) and the AX7ES acquitted itself very well indeed. One of those players was the very impressive XA2ES. Have you heard the XA7ES? Why would I need to when so many other CD players are capable of providing facsimile reproduction of the digital file used to create the CD being played? |
#29
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wrote in message
ups.com Since Arny believes all CD players sound the same. This would be a lie. |
#30
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"ric" wrote in message
Arny Krueger wrote: You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. A player as good as the XA7ES for $160 USD? Which one, praytell? I have a Pioneer DV-563A which is I believe the predecessor of Stewart's Pioneer DV-575A which is approximated by the Pioneer DV-578A outside the UK. Harry Lavo recommended the DV-563 to RAHE readers, so how bad can it be? Of course, later on Harry dis-recommended it for questioanble reasons, but consistency isn't one of Harry's primary traits. Sound and Vision gave the DV-563A a good review, and that appears to be about the time the golden ears turned against it. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/ass...2003135639.pdf |
#31
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In article ,
"Arny Krueger" wrote: "ric" wrote in message Arny Krueger wrote: You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. A player as good as the XA7ES for $160 USD? Which one, praytell? I have a Pioneer DV-563A which is I believe the predecessor of Stewart's Pioneer DV-575A which is approximated by the Pioneer DV-578A outside the UK. Me, too. Harry Lavo recommended the DV-563 to RAHE readers, so how bad can it be? Of course, later on Harry dis-recommended it for questioanble reasons, but consistency isn't one of Harry's primary traits. Some 563s have trouble playing certain hi-rez discs due to a software bug. There are also reports of random popping noises. I haven't had any trouble with mine. It sounds good for dvd and sacd, but I don't like the cd playback quality. This may just be an accident of the few cds I've played on it. Sound and Vision gave the DV-563A a good review, and that appears to be about the time the golden ears turned against it. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/ass...2003135639.pdf It was also recommended by Absolute Sound and The Perfect Vision. Stephen |
#32
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"Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "Trevor Wilson" wrote in message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "Trevor Wilson" wrote in message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... wrote in message Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. **Wanna bet? No Trevor, not as long as you're in Australia and I'm in Michigan. **Thought so. You should also factor in the following: * The Sony XA7ES has a number of technical features which set it apart from cheap CD players. These include: Proper relay muting. Nothing magic about that. Just something mechanical to break. Decent output stage, which does not include primitive, 4558-style output ICs. Nothing magic about that. Terevor, your phobia about 4558s isn't my problem. * I've actually performed a DBT with the XA7ES and a couple of other players (quite respectable, but not cheap ones) and the AX7ES acquitted itself very well indeed. One of those players was the very impressive XA2ES. Have you heard the XA7ES? Why would I need to when so many other CD players are capable of providing facsimile reproduction of the digital file used to create the CD being played? Arny ,a quick question ,as you are in Michigan why do you feel the need to post in an Austalian newsgroup. Gordon |
#33
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wrote in message oups.com... Hi All, I've got a Sony CDP-XA7ES CD player. From what I've read it was an extremeley good player in it's day, and still considered one of the best cd players today. The problem with mine is that the laser has gone, and Sony don't carry it anymore. Try this: http://www.bioaudio.it/clock_analog_player.htm Definately worth fixing up. It must have been used alot because XA7ES is a non-moving laser block design and would takes decades before it start to play up. I have and still own most of Sony CD flagship models ( X7ESD, X77ES, X777ES, XA5ES and XA7ES ). I sold my XA7ES last year and although my vote is for X77ES - being Sony's best work ever- but XA7ES is an great CD player which you will have a hard time finding something better. Cheers Dean |
#34
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"Gordon" wrote in message
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "Trevor Wilson" wrote in message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "Trevor Wilson" wrote in message "Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... wrote in message Can I get some good ones on the second hand market which is as good at a good price? You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. **Wanna bet? No Trevor, not as long as you're in Australia and I'm in Michigan. **Thought so. You should also factor in the following: * The Sony XA7ES has a number of technical features which set it apart from cheap CD players. These include: Proper relay muting. Nothing magic about that. Just something mechanical to break. Decent output stage, which does not include primitive, 4558-style output ICs. Nothing magic about that. Terevor, your phobia about 4558s isn't my problem. * I've actually performed a DBT with the XA7ES and a couple of other players (quite respectable, but not cheap ones) and the AX7ES acquitted itself very well indeed. One of those players was the very impressive XA2ES. Have you heard the XA7ES? Why would I need to when so many other CD players are capable of providing facsimile reproduction of the digital file used to create the CD being played? Arny ,a quick question ,as you are in Michigan why do you feel the need to post in an Austalian newsgroup. I didn't set up the crosspost. |
#35
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"Clyde Slick" wrote in message ... "Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message ... On 11 Jul 2005 17:27:35 -0700, wrote: Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since they should all sound the same according to tests. In level-matched blind listening tests, these three players sound identical - as any reasonable person would expect. Damn it, there are those pesky expectation effects again. Clyde, don't you know that "expectation effects" only apply to those of us who disagree? Has nothing to do with those who *know* there is no difference. :-) |
#36
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On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 11:26:35 GMT, "EddieM"
wrote: Any reasonable person would most likely also ask that ... when you were performing a level-matched blind listening test among your three cd players namely: 1. Sony CDP-715E 2. Meridian 588 3. Pioneer DV-575A Were you also comparing their sounds from each other? Sorry? |
#37
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#38
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"EddieM" wrote in message
Clyde Slick wrote Stewart Pinkerton wrote calcerise wrote: Arny isn't too keen on actually listening to audio products, since they should all sound the same according to tests. In level-matched blind listening tests, these three players sound identical - as any reasonable person would expect. Damn it, there are those pesky expectation effects again. Good point. There's an equal danger in missing an audible difference because you expect it to not be there, as there is a danger in falsely perceiving a difference because the listening test was done naively. So Eddie, what to do? |
#39
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"Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "ric" wrote in message Arny Krueger wrote: You can easily get one that is just as good new, for the price of the laser assembly. A player as good as the XA7ES for $160 USD? Which one, praytell? I have a Pioneer DV-563A which is I believe the predecessor of Stewart's Pioneer DV-575A which is approximated by the Pioneer DV-578A outside the UK. Harry Lavo recommended the DV-563 to RAHE readers, so how bad can it be? Of course, later on Harry dis-recommended it for questioanble reasons, but consistency isn't one of Harry's primary traits. Sound and Vision gave the DV-563A a good review, and that appears to be about the time the golden ears turned against it. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/ass...2003135639.pdf Actually, no, Arny. I never owned or auditioned the 563a. But I did recommend the 578 immediately after it came out. I think for it's price it is head and shoulders above it's similarly priced competition in sound quality. Interesting that the editors of The Perfect Vision just picked it for their lowest priced recommended system as the one to buy "if sound quality is your primary emphasis". However, it's value varies by format. It is a very decent CD player. It is an exceptional DVD-A player at it's price point. And it is a mediocre SACD player. It's main shortcoming is that it doesn't reveal ambience the way better players do. In other words, it lacks the ultimate transparency that better players have. But is it as good, say as a Sony XA9000ES? No way. Even my C222ES reveals a more natural sound and ambience on CD and SACD, and when output through my DTI Pro/Proceed DAC combo, both stand-alone units come up short on CD. And BTW Arny, I don't recall ever changing my opinion on this in RAHE. I did however change my opinion on the cheapy Panasonic I had previously brought to the group's attention. And that was in part based on poor video performance. Perhaps you are confusing the two. And for what it is worth, my recommendation to the group pre-dated any written review of the 578. I bought it when shopping for a good DVD-A player, and decided that there wasn't enought sound difference given the uncertainty about DVD-A's future to justify the Arcam DV79, which is a superb DVD-A machine. I bought it based on my ears. And I continue to recommend it as a low-cost unit, no matter what mag or online review agrees or disagrees with me (although it is always nice when a consensus builds behind you). |
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On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:09:23 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote: Arny ,a quick question ,as you are in Michigan why do you feel the need to post in an Austalian newsgroup. I didn't set up the crosspost. Arnie's being modest. In his generosity of spirit he likes to shed his guiding light to the far-flung corners. In other words, he wants Aussie's to share in the good news that all components of a competent design standard sound alike and therefore no anxiety need be expended on their selection--just get the cheapest. This is the message of simple benediction he spreads, and you may be sure I at least am truly grateful for it. This is how I ended up with a Pioneer 676a that sounds exactly like a Sony XA7ES. Will the blessings never cease flowing to us from the good old US of A? |
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