Sony SCD-777ES
(1999 - 2002)

Sony's last stand for 2-channel audio... with multi-channel waiting in the wings.

Unlike what was touted, the Fixed Pickup Mechanism wasn't anything new as it it was used in Sony's original CDP-5000S professional CD player in... 1982 ! The SACD format on the other hand was new, even if chances are it'll never have the widespread success of its father (CD) or grand-father (LP).

Sound-wise an audible upgrade from the last of the X7 Series thanks to the complex-but-simpler S-TACT digital-to-analogue scheme... and the 5-position VC24 24-bit filter.

The differences between the 25kg SCD-777ES and the 26,5kg SCD-1 are the looks, a pair of balanced outputs and a sealed transformer ; the rest is the same, including pickups, digital and analogue sections.

The initial production run for the SCD-777ES and TA-FA777ES was planned at 700 units per month - I have no idea how many units were actually produced, but the SCD-777ES sold well, very well ; available in black fashion in the USA, champagne elsewhere.

Accuphase naturally used the same drive for its own DP-100 SACD drive.