Sony Introduces New Reference Standard Multichannel SACD Player

21-May-01

Raising the bar for audio performance for Super Audio CD players, Sony Electronics introduced its new reference standard, multichannel SACD/CD player. The single-disc SCD-XA777ES features key technical advancements and rounds out the high-end of this year's extensive lineup of 11 new multichannel SACD/CD players. ""Opening a world of new music entertainment possibilities, our new reference player with multichannel capability elevates the listening experience beyond anything that Sony has offered before,"" said Tim Baxter, Senior Vice President of the Home Entertainment Products Division at Sony Electronics. ""This new model reinforces our multichannel, multi-platform strategy in digital home entertainment."" Combines Advanced SACD Performance, ES Quality Many enhancements have been engineered into the SCD-XA777ES. For superb stereo SACD/CD and multichannel SACD sound reproduction, an exclusive tri-powered Super Audio digital-to-analog converter (SADAC) system, with six independent converters, one for each channel, has been incorporated. This is double the number of SADACs found in Sony's critically acclaimed multichannel SACD player, the SCD-C555ES. The player's optical reading system employs the newly-developed, dual-discrete laser pickup mechanism. The system has two independent lasers with one optical lens, providing optimum performance for SACDs and CDs, as well as CD-R/RW discs. Power is supplied by twin R-Core power transformers that reduce magnetic flux leakage and eliminate unwanted vibration. Two separate transformers mounted on rigid copper plates are included, one for handling the audio system and the other dedicated to the digital system. A robust chassis design with frame and beam construction greatly reduces unwanted chassis resonance. To offset vibration that may affect sound quality, the SCD-XA777ES utilizes off-center insulator feet and a sturdy aluminum front panel. The SCD-XA777ES player incorporates many of the advanced technologies also found in several of Sony's ES-series SACD players, such as multichannel analog outputs for compatibility with multichannel receivers, and a Direct Digital Synch D/A clock system for enhanced audio performance. For CD playback, an optical and a coaxial digital output are also included.A specially designed multichannel Direct Stream Digitalô (DSD) decoder, with Sony's exclusive multichannel management system, provides unmatched flexibility and performance. The new exclusive multichannel management function on the SCD-XA777ES and all new Sony multichannel SACD players allows for bass response to be redirected based on the various speakers systems available on the market today. This optimizes multichannel SACD playback regardless of speaker configuration. Along with standard ES enhancements, such as gold-plated outputs, the new model has a dynamic range of more than 108dB (in audible range). The new model will be available this fall for about $3,000 and carries the standard ES five-year limited parts and labor warranty. It joins Sony's other previously announced multichannel SACD/CD players, including: - SCD-C555ES, five-disc multichannel SACD/CD changer, available now for about $1,700 - SCD-C222ES, five-disc multichannel SACD/CD changer, available this September for about $800 - SCD-CE775, five-disc multichannel SACD/CD changer, available in July for about $400 - SCD-XE670, a single-disc multichannel SACD/CD player, available in September for about $300 New Multichannel Titles On The Way Along with these additions to the Sony SACD product line, the number of SACD music titles expected to be available this summer is also expanding. Complementing the existing catalog of over 200 SACD recordings, new multichannel titles are continuously being debuted from a variety of labels supporting a wide range of music genres. Forty new multichannel titles are expected to be available before the SCD-AX777ES is introduced. New multichannel SACD recordings feature full-bandwidth, high resolution DSD playback in all channels. Expanding the software selection with more than ten additional titles each month, a wide range of musical tastes combined with the multichannel experience will provide a broad selection to consumers this fall, Baxter said. Multichannel titles can include a separate, dedicated studio-mixed, two-channel version of the same music as well as the full bandwidth, multichannel studio mix on the same disc. Many of the new titles are also hybrid discs, which include a high density SACD layer and a standard CD layer for playback compatibility with approximately 1 billion conventional CD players worldwide. There are three disc variations possible with the SACD format: a single layer, high density SACD disc, a dual-layer, high density SACD disc for double recording to accommodate longer musical recordings such as symphonies, and a hybrid SACD/CD disc, which combines a high density (SACD) and a standard density (CD) layer. Hybrid discs can be played in both SACD players and existing CD hardware. All SACD players will play today's CDs. Outstanding Audio Performance The SACD format is based upon Direct Stream Digital technology, which records music signals at a sampling frequency (2.822 MHz) and converts them to 1-bit data. This achieves unprecedented sound quality without the decimation and interpolation stages associated with conventional PCM technology. For more information, visit www.sel.sony.com.

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