Yamaha SY-77 vs. Yamaha DX7

[rharris07]

Anyone have any opinions on this battle? I'm wanting one of the two, but have played/heard neither in person. I was looking for a DX7 and came across an SY-77 at a firm 400 bucks. sound like a deal?

[Z]

I've seen SY77's sell for as low as $200 (Craigslist), I think the average eBay price is $300 - I haven't looked in a while.

Given the fact that a SY77 is a 6 op FM synth coupled with a ROMpler plus sequencer and effects and the fact that an original DX7 still fetches $200+ (usually $250-$300), the SY77 is the clear winner.

I have both TG77 (rach version of SY) and TX802 (rack version of DX7II) and thinking of selling the TX802. If you ever find yourself in Dallas, you're welcome to check them out at my furniture shop.

[wildpaws]

That's pretty much a no brainer, the SY77 for sure. Given the more advanced 6op FM section of the SY77 with the addition of AWM sampled synthesis and the ability to have the AWM and AFM sides interact, plus the other features already mentioned like the sequencer and effects, I agree, the SY77 is the clear winner. I've owned a DX7IIFD since 1987, bought my SY77 in '89/'90, if I had to choose one based on what I know after this many years it would always be the SY77 over the DX7IIFD (or any other DX7).
Clyde

[xpander]

That's pretty much a no brainer, the SY77 for sure.

+1. also owned a DX7IIFD, and currently have both the SY77 and SY99. a shop locally was selling a mint SY99 for $300, insane!

[rharris07]

ok very cool, thank you guys for your help. i want something with FM synthesis and had always heard dx7 obviously, but i saw the sy-77 recently and wondered if it functioned well and what not. i think i'll hold out till i find a sy-77 at a fair price then since the 400 now seems a bit much.

thank ya'll again!

[b3groover]

See if you can talk the seller down to $300. Point to recent eBay auctions. The SY77 is a great synth and if the one you're looking at is in good shape, $300 - $400 isn't that much, imo.

[wildpaws]

See if you can talk the seller down to $300. Point to recent eBay auctions. The SY77 is a great synth and if the one you're looking at is in good shape, $300 - $400 isn't that much, imo.

I agree, I don't think $400 is out of line IF it is in excellent condition and everything operates as it should. What was insane was the $300 price for a mint SY99!! Remember when you are thinking about that $300-$400 SY77 price, when new it had an MSRP of almost $3,000, SY99 MSRP was almost $4,000 (and if it is fully loaded with five SYEMB05 ram boards you were at $5,000 plus).
Clyde

[b3groover]

Wish I had the SYEMB05 boards in my SY99. I got mine for $500 shipped from San Francisco from a fellow Vintage Synther. Not a bad deal!

[Virgule]

:)class synth.

[wildpaws]

Wish I had the SYEMB05 boards in my SY99. I got mine for $500 shipped from San Francisco from a fellow Vintage Synther. Not a bad deal!

That's a pretty decent price. Mine cost me just under a $1,000, but it had five SYEMB05 ram boards in it, came with a case and three MCD64 ram cards and a whole collection of disks ( a hundred or so of them) including many Sound Source Unlimited voice and sample disks, TX16w sample disks, and quite a few voice banks. Since it was in pristine condition and had so many extras, I was happy with the price.
Clyde

[jezka]

go the DX

[CS_TBL]

Why?

[tekkentool]

Sy77's have everything going for it over the Dx7, better DAC's. more complex engine? +1 CS_TBl, why?

[rhino]

SY-77 for sure. Just check all the buttons: Programming take a lot of button-presses and the switches on the major buttons (modes, under the display, enter, arrow, etc.) wear out first, Stock parts - and cheap - but you must shred the synth to get to them for replacement. PM me for same advice onr replacing the display and/or floppy drive.

[nathanscribe]

You chaps do realise this thread is a year old, don't you?