Mega changers for dummies part 2

**Andrew Pratt** · 21 August 2001, 10:22 Tuesday

bump

**SiliGoose** · 21 August 2001, 12:25 Tuesday

Andrew,

When I found out about Super Nudelist I was all ready to go out and buy a 300+ disc changer. That just seemed the greatest thing the Pronto could ever do.

Just when I was about to do it I had an idea: run a digital coax cable from my PC to my HT (via the attic) and play MP3's. Set-up (converting all my CD's to MP3) took quite a while but since I finished I haven't used my CD player!

The mega changer/super nudelist method has the advantage of being in the same room as the player but I saved the cost of a mega changer. In fact, the whole thing cost me less than $20.

-Sili

**Andrew Pratt** · 02 September 2004, 20:27 Thursday

bump

**junior77blue** · 26 March 2005, 22:59 Saturday

so in terms of mega cd changers...is sony still the only main player out there? I've seen some from pioneer and kenwood...but no one else has be able to touch them.

If I don't have a pronto, am I getting myself into some trouble/headaches when it comse to accessing such a large collection of CDs?

**junior77blue** · 26 March 2005, 23:23 Saturday

It doesn't look like there is even an ES version of the CD only mega-changers. My question, once you program the unit, does it maintain the programing in memory?

Too bad it can't communicate with a PC and download all the information. I guess the other optioin would be to create a HTPC. Hmm....

**Andrew Pratt** · 27 March 2005, 00:00 Sunday

Yes Sony's still the main player in the jukebox market and yes it remembers the titles when unplugged...at least for several months. Given that pronto's can be bought for well under $100 now on the used market you might consider picking one up.

**junior77blue** · 27 March 2005, 00:16 Sunday

Doing some more research...

Do I purchase an older ES model CD only or buy a new CX455.

Can these be stacked one on top of the other?

Unfortunately, if I were to purchase 2, I guess I can't use the digital output since the only way to connect them together is to use the analog output from one to the other. If that's the case, how good/bad are the analog output section of such device? I was hoping to use the D/A in my preamp.

One option would be to not connect them together and just directly output it to the preamp. Not ideal by any means.

And I've also noticed there isn't a video out anymore...?? That must make navigation viturally impossible.

Seems like this is a dying breed...

**Andrew Pratt** · 27 March 2005, 10:11 Sunday

The onboard DAC's on the non ES models are terrible so I wouldn't plan on using the analog outs for anything other then multi zone applications. The lack of video out isn't an issue with the pronto's and SNL

**junior77blue** · 27 March 2005, 13:58 Sunday

Hey Andrew, is there a quick synopsis (previous thread) of how the pronto will work with the mega changers? i.e. how is programming completed, etc?

What happens if I were to use 2 mega changers? I guess I would loose the crossfade ability since I can't use the analog input/output. I could then use the digital output and plug that directly into my HT preamp (need to check how many open Toslink inputs I have).

Any comments as to which ES model was the latest and greatest? 555ES or other?

Are the DACs on the ES models 'good' or just better than the Non-ES?

**Andrew Pratt** · 27 March 2005, 18:37 Sunday

There used to be a thread called SuperNudelist or some such thing that I wrote to step you through it. If you google SuperNudelist you should come across Leo's site that will help walk you though it as well.

Two megachangers can co-exist in that you can set them up to use different IR codes..the only issue there is you'd need seperate lists for each jukebox and yes you'd loose cross fade.

The ES models DAC's are actually pretty good...not sure if they'd be better then what you have already but its likely.

**junior77blue** · 27 March 2005, 18:57 Sunday

Anyone know the version history of the ES models? Which one to get...etc? Considering i'm looking for CD only...but maybe I will look at their new one, CD,DVD,SACD.

**junior77blue** · 27 March 2005, 19:31 Sunday

finally something for all us MAC users...

http://www.titletrack.com/index.html

Not sure how it compares to a pronto. Of course assuming you have a free powerbook laying around.

**junior77blue** · 27 March 2005, 21:43 Sunday

Well no open toslink inputs on my preamp....

Anyone recommend a good new or used DAC? ~$200-300 with at least 2 toslink inputs?

hmm...how heavy do one of these get fully loaded....I need to weigh a cd. 400x___g

Is the mechanics between the ES and non-ES something to worry about? Do they both operate smoothly?

**junior77blue** · 29 March 2005, 19:47 Tuesday

Anyone have first hand personal experience with the Sony CDP-M555ES 400 disk changer?

**Andrew Pratt** · 29 March 2005, 20:52 Tuesday

I think that's the one that Kevin Patz uses.

**junior77blue** · 29 March 2005, 22:22 Tuesday

Hopefully he will see this and chime in...

Andrew, what component do you use?

**Andrew Pratt** · 30 March 2005, 01:20 Wednesday

Component as in the cables or which changer? I use the 985 changer for movies and the cx335 for CD's

**junior77blue** · 30 March 2005, 08:49 Wednesday

I was referring to changer...

Any quality issues to speak of?

I'm able to purchase a new CDP-M555es new for $500, thinking about getting two of them but not sure about quality (sound & build). No demo for me to see or play with.

I'm guessing your not happy with the sound quality from the CX335, but for background music its ok? Cause I can get (2) CX455 for the price of one ES model.

**Kevin P** · 30 March 2005, 09:10 Wednesday

Yes I now own two CDP-M555ES jukeboxes. One of them is in my Cubicle Tubicle system so I can vouch for its sound quality. IMHO it's worth the extra $ to spring for the ES model especially if you are going to use the analog outs. Not to say an external DAC won't sound better. When I got my Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi I compared the two and the Pioneer (which generally gets rave reviews for audio) had smoother midrange. Although the 555ES is no longer made they can still be found on Ebay and places like that.

Build quality wise the Sony changers are well built, both the ES and non-ES models. We've installed the non-ES 300 disc unit (CDP-CX335 or 355) in several homes w/whole house audio systems and no one has had a single problem with them. The main benefits of the ES model are the better DACs, video out and the 2 way remote. In fact, if you use the 2 way remote you won't need a Pronto w/SuperNudeList as the titles are downloaded into the remote from the changer automatically. It does help to burn copies of your CDs and add CD Text to them, as then the changer will read the titles and display them automatically. You can also title from the remote, the changer, or by plugging a PC keyboard into the changer. I prefer the CD Text method myself, especially when Nero can download the titles from the internet automatically to put on the CD.

Once I get my home, and my home system rebuilt (I bought the second 555ES for home) I'll compare the ES DAC against the ones in my pre-pro and see how they stack up. That won't be for several months anyway.

One more thing to note: if you go with a 400 disc changer, make sure you have room in your cabinet/rack for it. The CDP-M555ES is 21 inches deep, which is much deeper than most components. It needs to be big to hold 400 CDs.

**junior77blue** · 30 March 2005, 10:34 Wednesday

Supposedly, I can still get a new ES changer from an authorised dealer.

So, if I plan on using the analog out, then go for the ES. If I plan on using an outboard DAC, then go for an non-ES? Is that a fair conclusion?

I'm thinking in the long run I will spend about the same money to purchase a non-es, i.e., pronto controller, external dac. Thinking about it, probably more! DAC's with 2 optical inputs are not cheap!!

**junior77blue** · 30 March 2005, 10:35 Wednesday

oh, my rack can handle it if I remove the backing.

**Andrew Pratt** · 30 March 2005, 10:36 Wednesday

In fact, if you use the 2 way remote you won't need a Pronto w/SuperNudeList as the titles are downloaded into the remote from the changer automatically.

:nono: There's no subsitute for SNL. 2 way communication is ok but it would be tedious compared to the slick SNL interface.

My CD jukebox has been used everyday for the last couple of years and its never given me a hint of a problem. I haven't had the DVD changer as long but so far its been solid as well.

For the sound quality I use the digital connection to my pre amp the analog cables to feed zone two and for that the analog works great. For the DAC what you could likely do is get an optical to digital coax converter to allow you to run both changers to one DAC as most have optical and digital Coax inputs.

**junior77blue** · 30 March 2005, 11:43 Wednesday

Hmm....interesting options.

I think $500 for improved DACs is a bit redundant especially if I were to purchase 2? Where as one DAC could handle this. Granted a good DAC costs anywhere from $300-$1000.

Andrew, can you recommend an optical to digital coax converter?

**Kingdaddy** · 30 March 2005, 19:07 Wednesday

I have had a Sony CDP-M555ES 400 disk changer for several years now, and I have a modified version of SNL that will allow you to use the 32 track Programmable mode on the changer which allows the pronto and SNL to work like a jukebox. Just touch the songs you want and it will add to the program list for playback, even works on the fly while your playing music, so you can add songs as you go and it will put them at the end of the list. I have used this for a few years and liked it very much. However having said that I recently went to a HD based music system with Cinemar’s Music lobby and now I never play CD's from my changer any more, the pronto was just too much trouble to keep updated and the lag between songs was annoying.

**junior77blue** · 30 March 2005, 19:18 Wednesday

Thanks for the post!

Hmm....sound quality with a HD vs. CD?

I'm gonna do a google for cinemar's any other players in this arena?

**Andrew Pratt** · 30 March 2005, 20:42 Wednesday

I'm not sure if there's one converter that's better then another...I know radio shack's got one that apparently works fine

**junior77blue** · 30 March 2005, 21:40 Wednesday

Thanks for the feedback as always Andrew!!

I just need to sort out price/availability on some ES changers. What a pain they are to find. Sony stores still have them but at full retail cost!!

$1000 for 800 cd's....then I need to figure out the front end. Looks like there are a few options out there.

Mega changers for dummies part 2

Mega changers for dummies part 2

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