I was upgrading some of my stereo equipment a few weeks ago and bought this Sony CD changer for the SACD capability. Let me first say that I do not have multi-channel capacity. To put it simply, I don't want a bunch of speakers with their wiring running all over the room and I'm pretty happy with 2-channel stereo. I listen to a pretty wide range of music, from country to classical and I have a fairly good stereo system. In addition to my main outfit, I've been using a Sony receiver and CD player at the back of the house to play music in the backyard through some outdoor Polk speakers. The Sony equipment was originally purchased in 1985 and has served well. I had no qualms about buying another Sony CD player.
SACD's and CD's on the SCD-CE595 sound a little bright compared to CD's played on my main CD player made by Rotel. Not harsh, but there is a tendency toward the treble. This probably can also be accounted for by the B&W speakers I use and their amazing clarity in the upper and mid-range. Anyway, a simple counterclockwise turn of the treble control on the amp cleared this up immediately. Julia Fischer's Russian Violin Concertos SACD was on the edge of harshness until I decreased the treble slightly.
To my non-golden ear, there's not a lot of difference between 2-channel SACD and regular CD. The SACD has a little more air around the music with a little more depth to the soundstage but, honestly, a well-recorded standard CD will give an SACD a run for the money. I have Claire Martin's two most recent Linn recordings on SACD and I must confess that there's little difference in sound when played on the Rotel compared to the Sony or, in fact, comparing them to her older recording on regular CD.
I don't have any complaints about the remote control. It works very well within its limitations. The only problem I encountered with this player is that it is too deep to fit on the shelves inside my stereo cabinet. It's not insurmountable--I just set it on top and put the lamp on top of it.
Last night, I had the displeasure to discover my 20-year old Sony CD player I use for outside listening was refusing to accept any discs. It has finally died. RIP. Today, I'm ordering another of the SCD-CE595's to replace it.
If I like it well enough to buy another, why not 5 stars? The bright sound is one reason--it could sound a little smoother and 2-channel SACD's could be a little more open. Also, I doubt today's Sony hi-fi equipment is as well-built as the stuff I bought 20 years ago. Today's consumer electronics are of reasonable quality but disposable. I doubt I'll get 20 years out of the SCD-CE595.
It is now May 2006. I've been living with these two disc players for long enough to revise my previous estimation. Considering the price, this is a five-star SACD player.
Over time, the sound has improved. A lot. What was originally overly bright has settled down. The sound is now more open and revealing--the detail of SACD's is amazing.
The player needs to be broken in. Buy one, play it a lot and give it some time. Patience brings great rewards.
SACD's and CD's on the SCD-CE595 sound a little bright compared to CD's played on my main CD player made by Rotel. Not harsh, but there is a tendency toward the treble. This probably can also be accounted for by the B&W speakers I use and their amazing clarity in the upper and mid-range. Anyway, a simple counterclockwise turn of the treble control on the amp cleared this up immediately. Julia Fischer's Russian Violin Concertos SACD was on the edge of harshness until I decreased the treble slightly.
To my non-golden ear, there's not a lot of difference between 2-channel SACD and regular CD. The SACD has a little more air around the music with a little more depth to the soundstage but, honestly, a well-recorded standard CD will give an SACD a run for the money. I have Claire Martin's two most recent Linn recordings on SACD and I must confess that there's little difference in sound when played on the Rotel compared to the Sony or, in fact, comparing them to her older recording on regular CD.
I don't have any complaints about the remote control. It works very well within its limitations. The only problem I encountered with this player is that it is too deep to fit on the shelves inside my stereo cabinet. It's not insurmountable--I just set it on top and put the lamp on top of it.
Last night, I had the displeasure to discover my 20-year old Sony CD player I use for outside listening was refusing to accept any discs. It has finally died. RIP. Today, I'm ordering another of the SCD-CE595's to replace it.
If I like it well enough to buy another, why not 5 stars? The bright sound is one reason--it could sound a little smoother and 2-channel SACD's could be a little more open. Also, I doubt today's Sony hi-fi equipment is as well-built as the stuff I bought 20 years ago. Today's consumer electronics are of reasonable quality but disposable. I doubt I'll get 20 years out of the SCD-CE595.
It is now May 2006. I've been living with these two disc players for long enough to revise my previous estimation. Considering the price, this is a five-star SACD player.
Over time, the sound has improved. A lot. What was originally overly bright has settled down. The sound is now more open and revealing--the detail of SACD's is amazing.
The player needs to be broken in. Buy one, play it a lot and give it some time. Patience brings great rewards.
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