Sony CDP-X777ES
(1990 - 1991)

One of the very few digital units I remember listening that shook my firm "analog" slant, along with the STAX TALENT and Sony's own CDP/DAS-R1a combination. I couldn't afford an X777ES then, let alone the STAX or Sony's Reference combo, but I own one now - in fact I own TWO and I really don't hear the need for a future upgrade. Unless you go for the ultra-buck esoterica, this is as good as the Red Book format can sound - this big baby swings !

As all X7 players, the build quality is unbelievable and the "feel of use" matches that quality. Click the "more" button below for inside views of one of my X777ES - one has to see these players to really understand what luxury in build-quality can be. It is no wonder Accuphase used Sony's drives for its own. And no wonder these sold like hotcakes in Germany and Japan - the X777ES still is part of the crème de la crème.

Analog outputs are available in three flavors : RCA variable, RCA fixed or XLR fixed. The XLR are hooked directly to the PULSE D/A chips : very tight, very "direct". The RCA fixed are the center of the show as they benefit from Toshiba FET transistors : lush-ness comes in.
The variable RCA have too much cabling (from the d/a board to the motorized volume pot and back) and loose some finesse along the way.

Depending on your preferences and the rest of your units, you will either prefer the fixed RCA or fancy the XLR - both are equelly excellent, if in a slightly different way.

The 777 is the last player that used the die-cast aluminium mechanism base, introduced in 1987. The specs and digital chips used are available here.