I’m a big fan of Sony vintage top ES CD players. I wrote an article about Sony ES CD players here. This is an appendix for that article: in this article I collected all of the top of the line Sony SACD players from the beginning to the end.
I ordered the ES SACD player line into 4 categories (Reference, Flagship, Class 1 and 2). It seems to me that sometime Sony’s marketing papers also classified products but this calssification is based on my own concept. I only took the top 4 categories into account. If an ES player didn’t fit one of these 4 categories, I left that out. Sony added low category products to ES line also (like XA1200ES). I didn’t want to deal with these.
I only took the single disc players into account (Sony made multi-disc players in the SCD-C ES series). I left XB and XE series out also.
There were multiple sources for technical and other data. Primary source was the official Sony Service Manual for the specific model. If a data wasn’t available in service manuals, I took old Sony marketing materials. Sometime I searched photos about the inside of the players itself. I used other fan sites about CD technology and Sony (mainly Japanese sources). It seems to me that even official Service Manuals wasn’t always correct about a specific data. Not to mention marketing papers. Exact release date is also very hard to determine. I added notes for the doubtful data. Please take into consideration that I don’t have phisycal example from these players and I haven’t seen most of them.
I ordered the timeline into categories and every category contains only a few players. Release date and distribution based on original Japanese product catalogs. It is obviously possible that if there were stock items, distribution easily lasted longer (especially in non-Japanese areas where distribution dates are sometime different). But I only took into consideration original catalogs.
Below is the summary of the complete single disc ES SACD player line. I included the pick-up type, original Japanese type number and price on the picture. Blue line shows the lineage: what player inspired the development of the next player.
SACD demonstration
Sony announced the SACD technology in May, 1999. They also released the one and only reference SACD player than. This player appeared first in the backside of a Sony CD player catalog in June, 1999. I have a 1999 November catalogue which have detailed writings about the DSD technology and the SCD-1 and SCD-777ES players. These were fixed pick-up players with unusual upper disc loader. SCD-777ES was basically identical to SCD-1 except the outer design, the transformer (which were sealed types in SCD-1) and balanced out which is missing from 777ES. 777ES is made in two colors: golden and black (black version was not sold in Japan).
SCD-555ES had conventional disc tray loader and moving pick-up. It was released one year later. It was made in golden and black colors.
Although it was produced in limited numebrs, it seems to me that SCD-1 had the longest production run of the three. It appeared even in a 2002 CD Player catalogue.
Design of the SCD-1 harmonizes with its pre- and power amplifier: TA-E1 and TA-N1. These and the SS-1ED (ED: Extended Definition) speaker were manufactured by Sony to show the advanced sound quality of the new medium. This system’s full price was 3 million yen in 2000. CD player, pre- and power amplifier weights 119 kg together so these needed a very strong Hi-Fi rack. Weight of the speaker was additional 58 kg each.
| Model name | SCD-1 | SCD-777ES | SCD-555ES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese release | 1999.05.21 | 1999.11.10 | 2000.10.21 |
| Distribution | 1999-2002 | 1999-2001 | 2000-2001 |
| Frequency response1 | 2-50000Hz -3dB | 2-50000Hz -3dB | 2-50000Hz -3dB |
| Harmonic distortion1 | 0,0012% | 0,0012% | 0,0012% |
| Dynamic range1 | >105dB | >105dB | >105dB |
| DAC | |||
| DAC nickname | Current Pulse D/A Converter; ACP (Accurate Complement Pulse density modulation); S-TACT (Syncronous Time Accuracy ConTroller) | Current Pulse D/A Converter; ACP (Accurate Complement Pulse density modulation); S-TACT (Syncronous Time Accuracy ConTroller) | Current Pulse D/A Converter; ACP (Accurate Complement Pulse density modulation); S-TACT (Syncronous Time Accuracy ConTroller) |
| Digital filter IC | CXD8762AQ | CXD8762AQ | CXD8762AQ |
| DAC IC | CXD8594Q | CXD8594Q | CXD9521Q |
| Bitrate converting in filter | 24 bit (5 filters) | 24 bit (5 filters) | 24 bit (5 filters) |
| Channels | stereo | stereo | stereo |
| Low-pass filter | GIC | GIC | GIC |
| Mechanism | |||
| Mechanism type | CDM19HN-DVBU4 | ||
| Base unit | BU-23 | BU-23 | DVBU4 |
| Optical pick-up | KHS-180A/J1N | KHS-180A/J1N | KHM-230AAA/J1NP |
| BSL motor | x | x | - |
| Chassis material | BP chassis | BP chassis | FB chassis |
| Servo | LSI servo | LSI servo | LSI servo |
| Disc tray | - | - | aluminium |
| Outputs | |||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Line out, balanced | 4V (50kOhm) | - | - |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Phone jack | - | - | 20mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-DS1 | RM-DS1 | RM-SX90 |
| Power consumption | 30W | 30W | 21W |
| Power transformer | 2 (R-core) sealed | 2 (R-core) | 2 (R-core) |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 149mm | 149mm | 125mm |
| Depth | 436mm | 436mm | 375mm |
| Weight | 26,5kg | 25kg | 14,5kg |
| Original price | 500000 yen; 5000 USD; 10000 DM | 350000 yen; 3500 USD; 6000 DM | 180000 yen; 3900 DM |
1: when plays SACD. SACD frequency response is 2 Hz-100 kHz as stated „Playing frequency response” in service manuals but I include „Frequency response” field from manuals here.
These players don’t have digital inputs and variable line outputs. Sony stopped manufacturing good old high-end linear drive mechanism and „Fine Ceramics” foot also. Those days were gone. Just like super-fast disc loading and track search. Disc loading time on SCD-1 was ridiculously slow: more than half minute. Compare it to the 2 second on the good old linear drive players from the 80’s and 90’s…
SACD multi-channel mainstream
In 2001 Sony released the first multichannel SACD players. They left the „5” series out and released only 2 players: SCD-XA777ES and SCD-XA333ES. Both played 5.1 channel SACDs. Reference SCD-1 was still available in that time but the other two early players disappeared from the catalogs. Both 777 and 333 was available in golden and black color but I suspect that black version was not sold in Japan. They probably make black versions for overseas market only. These 2 new players were conventional disc tray loader and moving pick-up players. Although older CDP-XA series was still available in that time, it was clear that family of fixed pick-up players will come to end. Just like using high-end BSL motors.
Multi channel signal was available in conventional RCA connectors in these players just like stereo signals.
| Model name | SCD-XA777ES | SCD-XA333ES |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese release | 2001.09.01 | 2001.09.01 |
| Distribution | ||
| Frequency response1 | 2-50000Hz -3dB | 2-50000Hz -3dB |
| Harmonic distortion1 | 0,0012% | 0,0015% |
| Dynamic range1 | >108dB | 106dB |
| DAC | ||
| DAC nickname | Current Pulse D/A Converter. TRI POWER | Current Pulse D/A Converter |
| Digital filter/DAC IC2 | 6xCXD9657N/2K | 3xCXD9657N/2K |
| Channels | 5.1 channel | 5.1 channel |
| Mechanism | ||
| Mechanism type | CDM19JB-DVBU4B (black) CDM19JN-DVBU4B (golden) | CDM19JB-DVBU4B (black) CDM19JN-DVBU4B (golden) |
| Base unit | DVBU4B | DVBU4B |
| Optical pick-up | KHM-230AAA | KHM-230AAA |
| Chassis material | FB chassis | BP chassis |
| Outputs | ||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Line out, balanced | - | - |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Phone jack | 10mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 10mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-SX700 | RM-SX700 |
| Power consumption | 32W | 27W |
| Power transformer | 2 (R-core) | 2 (R-core) |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 130mm | 130mm |
| Depth | 380mm | 380mm |
| Weight | 16kg | 9,5kg |
| Original price | 250000 yen; 3000 USD; 7500 DM; 3840 EUR | 110000 yen; 3900 DM; 1800 EUR |
1: when plays SACD. SACD frequency response is 2 Hz-100 kHz as stated „Playing frequency response” in service manuals but I include „Frequency response” field from manuals here.
2: Sony integrated DAC and digital filters into one integrated circuit. SCD-XA777ES used 6 from these, SCD-XA333ES used 3.
End of an era
SACD did not live up to expectations. In 2003 and interestingly 5 years later: in 2008 Sony released its last three consumer SACD players. And that was the end. No other ES Sony audio players produced after these, later Sony stopped production of all optical media players. The world has changed. What remained: billions of optical media and the remainder of these great players. They will function while they can…
Last three players introduced a somehow modified design language but inside they are the same moving pick-up players. (And quite cheap build quality…) SCD-XA9000ES and SCD-XA3000ES still have RCA connectors for multi-channel playing. Besides that, SCD-XA9000ES have a so-called i.LINK digital connector as digital output. It can play digital DSD content directly in that output. Late-comer SCD-XA5400ES didn’t have RCA connectors for multi-channel playing but it had HDMI digital output in which it could play multi channel and even DSD digital content.
SCD-XA9000ES released in silver and black color. SCD-XA3000ES released in golden and black color. SCD-XA5400ES relealsed only in black (unfortunately I don’t have marketing photo about it).
| Model name | SCD-XA9000ES | SCD-XA3000ES | SCD-XA5400ES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese release | 2003.10.21 | 2003.10.21 | 2008.10.20 |
| Distribution | |||
| Frequency response1 | 2-50000Hz -3dB | 2-50000Hz -3dB | 2-50000Hz -3dB |
| Harmonic distortion1 | 0,0012% | 0,0017% | 0,0012% |
| Dynamic range1 | >108dB | >105dB | >110dB |
| DAC | |||
| DAC nickname | Current Pulse D/A Converter; TRI POWER | ||
| Digital filter/DAC IC2 | 6xCXD9657N/2K | DSD1608P | DSD1796DBR |
| Channels | 5.1 channel | 5.1 channel | 5.1 channel |
| Mechanism | |||
| Mechanism type | CDM19JB-DVBU4C (black) CDM19JB-DVBU4D (silver) | CDM66B-DVBU6B | CDM66F-DVBU101 |
| Base unit | DVBU4C (black) DVBU4D (silver) | DVBU-6B | |
| Optical pick-up | KHM-230AAA | KHM-234AMA | KHM-313CAB |
| Chassis material | FB chassis | BP chassis | FB chassis |
| Outputs | |||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Line out, balanced | - | - | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| i.LINK output | x | - | - |
| HDMI output | - | - | x |
| Phone jack | 10mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 10mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 5mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-SX700 | RM-SX700 | RM-ASU042 |
| Power consumption | 32W | 24W | 25W |
| Power transformer | 2 (R-core) | 2 (R-core) | 2 (R-core) |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 127mm | 124mm | 124mm |
| Depth | 387mm | 390mm | 390mm |
| Weight | 16,2kg | 8,2kg | 10,2kg |
| Original price | 350000 yen; 3000 USD | 125000 yen | 168000 yen; 1500 USD; 2000 EUR |
1: when plays SACD. SACD frequency response is 2 Hz-100 kHz as stated „Playing frequency response” in service manuals but I include „Frequency response” field from manuals here.
2: Sony integrated DAC and digital filters into one integrated circuit.
The last reference
After the SCD-1 disappeared from the market, Sony has once again produced a reference player for the last time. It was in 2004 and it was the SCD-DR1. It was not sold outside Japan and it was produced only for special order. Sony also made an integrated amplifier for it: the TA-DR1 in 2004 and refreshed TA-DR1a in 21. November, 2005. (its price was 1 200 000 yen just like the player’s).
It had conventional disc tray loading mechanism and moving pick-up but its tray loading was a little bit special because after the player closes the tray, its platter lowered a bit to the pickup. Because of it, 8 cm CD playing was not available without special adapter. Function-wise it was very spartan. It had very simple display, almost no controls and it didn’t even display IN:DEX number.
It had stereo only analog output but it had many other digital outputs from which i.LINK could handle multi-channel SACD also. All outputs (analog and digital) was ON/OFF switchable, except i.LINK.
I’ve read about rumors that this player was produced even in the 2010’s but I don’t have reliable information about it. I don’t think so. SCD-DR1 was the last word Sony wanted to tell us about optical audio media playing. It was THE END.
| Model name | SCD-DR1 |
|---|---|
| Japanese release | 2004.09.21 |
| Distribution | |
| Frequency response1 | 2-50000Hz -3dB |
| Harmonic distortion1 | 0,001% |
| Dynamic range1 | >110dB |
| DAC | |
| DAC nickname | |
| Digital filter/DAC IC | |
| Channels | 5.1 channel |
| Mechanism | |
| Mechanism type | |
| Base unit | |
| Optical pick-up | |
| Chassis material | DR/FB chassis |
| Outputs | |
| Line out, unbalanced | 1.8V (50kOhm) for SACD; 2.8V (50kOhm) for CD |
| Line out, balanced | |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Balanced digital output | 110Ohm |
| i.LINK output | x |
| Word sync input | x |
| Phone jack | - |
| Remote controller type | RM-SR1 |
| Power consumption | 22W |
| Power transformer | 3 (R-core) |
| Dimensions | |
| Width | 430mm |
| Height | 140mm |
| Depth | 465mm |
| Weight | 18,5kg |
| Original price | 1200000 yen |
1: when plays SACD. SACD frequency response is 2 Hz-100 kHz as stated „Playing frequency response” in manual but I include „Frequency response” field from manual here.
Róbert Sipos (2024)
I would like to special thanks to folks who scanned vintage Sony papers!
Special information sources: