A great choice of player & upgrade even if you just want to play Red Book CD’s

This page coveres the Vacuum State upgrades installed by us for these stereo only Sony models:- SCD-1, SCD777ES, DVP-S9000ES, SCD-555ES & SCD-XB940QS but NOT the SCD-XA777es. See also JLTi for some SACD capable players.

Update Nov’07 - The upgrades have been further improved and are now designated Level 6. Compared to Level 5 there is a modification to the analogue output filtering and additional mains / power supply filtering. Sound quality is a bit cleaner but no less detailed. All previous Level Players can be brought up to Level 6. Vacuum State continue to look for current players suitable for high end upgrading but have so far not found anything to match an SCD-1 or SCD-777es upgraded to Level 6+.

Software producers are continuing to release a lot of music on SACD and players capable of reproducing them continue to be released as well. Living in the here and now SACD is the format for audiophile digital reproduction of music. Few standard players reveal the full potential of SACD. The upgrades offered here are probably the most cost effective way of revealing SACD’s potential. If the software you want to listen to is not available on SACD you can get superb CD reproduction from these players aided by the adjustable digital filtering feature.

Why is SACD so good ? - Answer:- Direct Stream Digital (DSD) the format used with SACD involves the least processing between recording and reproduction of any digital format. It is also the ideal digital format for reissue of the vast archive of high quality analogue master recordings in existence.

The effect of digital processing is illustrated by the following graphic:-

The graphic illustrates the effect on an analogue transient signal of digital filtering by various formats. CD is much the same as 48KHz, DVD-A is illustrated by 96KHz & 192KHz and SACD by DSD. Note the widening of the analogue signal by CD & DVD-A and also ring both before and after the transient. These effects cause timing errors in music reproduction and a blurring of the sound.

Why do expensive players need upgrading ? - No real answer to this one, in many cases the players are over designed presumably in search of some technical gain but with little regards for the sonic effects. VSE’s upgrade replaces many opamps & associated components with a simple but high performance analogue output stage. Combined with a low jitter master clock replacement and digital power supply improvement the VSE upgrade package transforms competent players into true hi end performers. The VSE upgrade has its own output sockets so we were able to compare the VSE & Sony outputs directly. We did not here the player before the master clock upgrade but the benefit of this is well known to us and many others.

An award winning upgrade:- Brutus 2006

Some reviews click here:- Dagogo Review Pro Audio Review Audio Asylum L5+

For more details visit Vacuum State Electronics:- VSE

Please note the analogue output is 11dB down on the standard output because VSE’s circuit has zero gain & zero feedback. This is not usually a problem just turn up the volume control. If you currently use your volume control no more than half way round it should be OK.

Available with Single Ended (RCA, Phono) or Balanced (XLR) outputs at Level 5 or Level 5+ which extracts the SACD a stage earlier from the Sony circuit for even better SACD performance.

The upgrades now come with silver connecting wire and improved capacitors. In addition to the VSE upgrade we also make some further power supply improvements of our own.

Prices:-

Version Single Ended Balanced Level 6 £850 £1350 Level 6+ (only SCD1,SCD777,SCD555) £990 £1550

Existing VSE upgraded players can be brought up to the latest Level, contact us for a price.

To send your equipment we suggest one of these Interlink  Interparcel  Pharos or we can quote to have it collected.

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