ACCUPHASE DP-770 SACD

I assume it is not necessary to go through all the technologies that Accuphase uses in their players. The more seasoned readers are familiar with them already as Accuphase has been employing the same principles for over 20 years, although a 20-year-old Accuphase player and the DP-770 would sound radically different. By systematically improving and polishing every single part and parameter in each model generation, the whole has been improved to the current state-of-the-art. It also means, that with the new generation, the DP-770 will become a former state-of-the-art. The DP-770 continues using 8 parallel MDSD D/A converters (build around ESS Technologies ES9028 PRO chip), balanced architecture, noise suppression circuits, a highly customized SACD/CD transport, and a heavy resonance-tuned chassis. Please check the picture attached to this article for the complete list of specifications or visit Accuphase’s website for detailed technical insights (Accuphase is one of the few who let you peek inside their kitchen). So, instead of reprinting what’s available elsewhere, I will focus on the differences between my own DP-720 player and the new model.

At first glance both machines look quite similar, it is only at second glance when I started to notice small differences. With every new model, it is a rule of thumb that Accuphase subtly changes the layout and/or shape of the buttons and how the display is arranged. The new one appears to have more edges and more right angles; this is due to both the enlargement of the display rectangle and its recessing into a sort of bezel, and the change in the profile of the buttons, which were previously slightly convex, but are now flatter. Their tactile feel has also changed, both on the player itself and on its remote control. The earlier buttons provided a better feel, you knew when they were pushed. The new version has a really low stroke, and I was not sure whether I pressed them or not. Once you get used to it, it works flawlessly, however. For some mysterious reason, Accuphase also felt the urge to change the front panel print. This used to be more subtle with thinner letter lines; now it looks a bit like a cheap screen print with too much paint used. You probably won't notice these differences without having both the players side by side, or without having lived with Accuphase gear for some time.