DP-700 Short Review

[snaggs]

It's been two weeks with the DP-700, and I've been meaning to post a review. One thing has motivated me to do this..

Oscar Peterson scatting in the background of Track 1, On a clear day on "Vol. II - Girl Talk"

I never knew his voice was burried deep in the mix!*

I did not expect the DP-700 to be that much better than my 777ES. I was happy with the 25 years parts availability, knowing I can get it serviced forever, and the digital in. This was not to be the case.

The Accuphase has trounced the 777ES in every area, dynamics, the bass is more extended (i can proove this, I had to re-calibrate my subwoofer settings) and the treble extension has added the touch of sparkle my Quad ESL's were missing. Oh, iTunes sounds great directed through e DAC as well, I really like getting this double use out of it.

Then comes the build quality, it's about as heavy and beefy as the power amp. The wood finish is spectacular, buttons are lovely and in this age of backlit LCD it's nice to have the pixelated contrasty red display they use. Very readable and classic.

My wife sat down with me and after one track, was ok, it is a lot better (she was skeptical on the price, how much for a CD player?). She then wanted me to play some of her tracks, settlling back in her chair, engaged and approving.

What more can I ask for?

Daniel.

[Moondog]

How about enough free time to spin all of your collection to hear it as you never heard it before.

Glad to hear you are both happy with the new purchase, One of the finest available.

MD

[Once was an audiophile]

its a beautiful player i know it well good choice enjoy it bass is awesome on that player

[Monkeyboi]

its a beautiful player i know it well good choice enjoy it bass is awesome on that player

Mario, how would you rate the DP-700 compared to your existing set up with the KillerDAC? You'd previously commented you didn't think SACD was worth the effort / investment. As you seem to imply you know this player well, if money was no object would the DP-700 encourage you to venture into the SACD format?

Interested to read your thoughts on this.

Cheers,

Alan R.

Edited December 17, 2010 by Alan Rutlidge
grammatical correction

[Monkeyboi]

It's been two weeks with the DP-700, and I've been meaning to post a review. One thing has motivated me to do this..

Oscar Peterson scatting in the background of Track 1, On a clear day on "Vol. II - Girl Talk"

I never knew his voice was burried deep in the mix!*

I did not expect the DP-700 to be that much better than my 777ES. I was happy with the 25 years parts availability, knowing I can get it serviced forever, and the digital in. This was not to be the case.

The Accuphase has trounced the 777ES in every area, dynamics, the bass is more extended (i can proove this, I had to re-calibrate my subwoofer settings) and the treble extension has added the touch of sparkle my Quad ESL's were missing. Oh, iTunes sounds great directed through e DAC as well, I really like getting this double use out of it.

Then comes the build quality, it's about as heavy and beefy as the power amp. The wood finish is spectacular, buttons are lovely and in this age of backlit LCD it's nice to have the pixelated contrasty red display they use. Very readable and classic.

My wife sat down with me and after one track, was ok, it is a lot better (she was skeptical on the price, how much for a CD player?). She then wanted me to play some of her tracks, settlling back in her chair, engaged and approving.

What more can I ask for?

Daniel.

Congratulations on the recent purchase Daniel. I was waiting in anticipation of your initial thoughts on the DP-700 since you announced the sale and retirement of your Sony SCD-XA777ES player which I had the pleasure of listening to way back when you were still living in North Fremantle. IMHO it was a significant improvement over my SCD-XA333ES which incidentally is still performing faultlessly. Really pleased to read the DP-700 is living up to your expectations. No doubt it will deliver years of very satisfactory sound stimulation.

Cheers,

Alan R.

[petng]

Do you mind me asking where you bought the DP 700 from?

[Once was an audiophile]

Mario, how would you rate the DP-700 compared to your existing set up with the KillerDAC? You'd previously commented you didn't think SACD was worth the effort / investment. As you seem to imply you know this player well, if money was no object would the DP-700 encourage you to venture into the SACD format?

Interested to read your thoughts on this.

Cheers,

Alan R.

the dp700 would not encourage me into sacd the killer dac and cd94 digital front end is on another planet and the costs a very similar.

the dp700 still sounds artificial compared to the kd marantzcd94 combo.(lacking heart and soul and presence)

if i didnt have the kd then a dp700 would be on my shopping list

Edited December 18, 2010 by kajak12

[JAS]

That's a really nice CD player you have brought. Congrats

[Young Skywalker]

the dp700 still sounds artificial compared to the kd marantzcd94 combo.(lacking heart and soul and presence)

if i didnt have the kd then a dp700 would be on my shopping list

What an odd statement to make. Damned with faint praise indeed.

So the KD injects "heart and soul and presence" to all discs or the Accuphase removes "heart and soul and presence" with all discs?

YS

P.S. Congrats on the new spinner Daniel, pleased to read that it is working so well for you.

[Henry Vu]

So the KD injects "heart and soul and presence" to all discs or the Accuphase removes "heart and soul and presence" with all discs?

I would say no, the kd does not inject heart, soul and presence to all disks. It is quite revealing of recordings, poor recordings sound horrible on the kdac.

Can't comment on the dp700 because I dont have one. But congrats to the OP on what is a very highly praised player.

[Monkeyboi]

the dp700 would not encourage me into sacd the killer dac and cd94 digital front end is on another planet and the costs a very similar.

the dp700 still sounds artificial compared to the kd marantzcd94 combo.(lacking heart and soul and presence)

if i didnt have the kd then a dp700 would be on my shopping list

Thanks for the reply Mario. Where did you hear the DP-700? Was it in your own system or someone elses' and if the latter, what where the other components? Just wanting to get some terms of reference for for your reply so I understand the context.

Cheers,

Alan R.

[Once was an audiophile]

Thanks for the reply Mario. Where did you hear the DP-700? Was it in your own system or someone elses' and if the latter, what where the other components? Just wanting to get some terms of reference for for your reply so I understand the context.

Cheers,

Alan R.

i heard it on my system a good friend bought the player over he had it on loan for a week dp700 is most musical cd spinners i came across on the same day we also had an ayre sacd $12,000 dp700 no questions way better and costs less

one box solution xcellent build quality

[damohpi]

Isn't the dp-700 a lot more than $12,000 - are you talking about the same player?

Btw, looks like an amazing player Snaggs, congrats. I saw your thread on AA a while back and it looks like the gamble of importing without a demo paid off!

Edited December 18, 2010 by damohpi

[Once was an audiophile]

Isn't the dp-700 a lot more than $12,000 - are you talking about the same player?

all my mate said he can have it for $6000 (it was scratched badly on the front panel) hence the low price

never will i forget that player and it was the dp700 you dont forget such wonderfull cd players.

i never did any research as to how much they are new way out of my price range

[damohpi]

thanks for clarifying, $6k is a steal even with a scratched front panel.. is it still available?

[Once was an audiophile]

thanks for clarifying, $6k is a steal even with a scratched front panel.. is it still available?

no long gone

[proftournesol]

the good thing about having a good experience like that is that not only do you get a new piece of gear but all your music is like new as well:)

[snaggs]

Do you mind me asking where you bought the DP 700 from?

Bought from Simply HiFi in Perth. Sorry for missing your post.

Daniel