Sony SCD-XB790 SACD Player - Page 3

Unpacking

The retail package includes the following:
- Audio Stereo connection cable
- Remote commander RM-SX700
- R06 ( size AA) batteries ( x2)
- Multi language manual
- Warranty
- Coupon for a free SACD disc

A coaxial cable for digital sound reproduction would be welcomed.

On the right hand side of the front panel, there are buttons for eject, play, pause, stop, skip (AMS) and fast forward.

On the left there are the power button, headphones jack with volume level adjust. The four remaining buttons include the unit's menu button, read text from the disc, change between SACD and CD and from Multichannel to Stereo 2CH.

On the rear panel there are the stereo 2CH output as well as the Multichannel 5.1CH outputs, which means that the unit has a built-in 5.1CH decoder. Both coaxial and optical digital outputs are a plus on the unit.

The included RM-SX700 remote control, is easy to use and includes everything for controlling the player, apart from an eject button. Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Below you can see Sony's well known chipset, which is also installed in many other devices, the CXD2753 DSD decoder, responsible for the SACD reproduction:

DSD decoder LSI

The Super Audio CD’s 1-bit signal is processed and decoded by Sony's CXD2753 DSD decoder LSI. This integrated circuit makes intelligent decisions regarding the incoming data to form the 1-bit audio signal. The LSI first reads the Watermark—a feature protecting Super Audio Compact Discs from piracy—and then decodes the incoming data. The LSI uses internal memory to take data that's output intermittently from the disc, rearrange it and order it into continuous 1-bit audio streams. This LSI also reads sub code data such as the Table of Contents, track number, track time and text data.

Inside of the SCD-XB790 SACD Player
Click to enlarge

Apart from the external appearance which is more than impressive, when we remove the player's cover, something we don't recommend you to do (for this reason we have supplied the photo above), we saw the immaculate work Sony has done on this model. Solid aluminium, with minimum use of plastic and a very impressive power supply which is not normally found on ordinary players, but more closely matches those found on hi-end, professional equipment.