Sony ES vs Pioneer Elilte Megachangers

[20to20K]

I'm currently considering buying a 200-400 disk mega-changer from one of these manufacturers and I'm wondering if any of you have had experience comparing these two brands. The prices are close enough so I'm not bothered...I just want the better unit. Also the difference between 200 and 400 disk capability isn't a big deal...i.e. if the 200 disk changer is gonna sound better (better DAC) and be more reliable...I'd rather have it over a 300 or 400 disk changer.

The feature I like most on the Sony is the ability to daisy-chain two units together and have continuous play or crossfade capablility between changers. I do not believe the Elite can do this...but I may be wrong.
I've also read horror stories about spending days programming in titles for
all you disks then the changer inexplicably losing it's memory.

Anyone ever compare the sound of the internal DAC's? Would I be better off using their digital out and my BurrBrown DAC on my Denon 3805?

Any experienced suggestions would be helpful!

Thanks

 

[sts9fan]

I did much thinking

on this subject when buying my system. I was leaning towards the ES but just got a 5 disk universal insted. I read so many bad reveiws of ALL the models that I was gun shy. they are also notoriously tough on disks. What I really wanted was a large changer that could do random without the long pause between songs. I guess that would need two reading sites or whatever and it seems no one makes something like that.

 

[MacManNM]

Compare

One other thing you might want to look for is an ability to connect it to a network so you can download titles off the net. I believe some of the Sony's do that. It will be a real PITA to type all of those in. I always use the digital out, with that good of a receiver, thats what I would do anyhow.

 

[SilverMK3]

If you've got a computer and a lot of hard disc space, have you considered using it as a music server? You'd need to "rip" your music collection to mp3 or some other (lossless) music format, but once this is done, there would be absolutely no delay in switching songs. Also, part of the ripping process includes automatically looking up song and album titles on the internet and labelling the files.

You can use any number of devices to connect to your music collection from your home theater (or anywhere else in your home). Check out the Slim Devices Squeezebox2, its very highly rated.

 

[warnerwh]

The Sony ES models typically sound very good for the money. Their dacs I've been pleased with for years and with the 5 year warranty are hard to beat.

 

[20to20K]

What I really wanted was a large changer that could do random without the long pause between songs. I guess that would need two reading sites or whatever and it seems no one makes something like that.

I too want this exact capablity and if you have two sony units linked together you can get this. You get instantaneous transitions between songs and can even crossfade songs if you like. Denon makes a single model (DCM-5000) that does this because it's a dual transport...but they stopped making it about 5 years ago and they rarely pop up on Ebay. When they do they go for about $500 (originally listed for $1800). That Denon model is very high end with a 24 bit Burr-Brown DAC and HDCD capability.

I know can be hard on disks but I'm willing to accept that and I don't want to consider any computer hard-drive options. It's gotta be a changer.