I compared Arcam FMJ CD37 & Sony XA5400ES

If you like that Arcam then that is all that matters. I don't like warm colored sound. So, I don't like it nor do most people I know who have heard it.To each their own.

My biggest issue with the Sony was slightly recessed mid-range with accentuated upper mids. I'm guessing the rest of your system has some warmth to it? Mine is pretty flat and just takes on the character of the source. Mostly it was the upper mid bump that eventually wore on my nerves. Otherwise I agree it is an awesome player. I've never heard such control, dynamics, and detail in a player of that cost. Alas, I was forever tweaking the system to get it to behave the way I wanted and eventually decided I should be reading about music and buying cd's instead of reading reviews and buying power cables so I moved on. My Arcam is due to arrive today so we'll see if I made a mistake. When I auditioned the less expensive Arcam CD17 in my system it sounded just like my old XA7ES, that's what got me to pull the trigger on the CD37.

I didn't like the Arcam at all. Several others who heard it didn't like it either. I guess we all have different tastes.

Funny, I just sold my 5400ES and bought a CD37. The Sony was too thin in the midrange and not warm enough for my otherwise neutral system. Sounds like I made the right move!

RCA

It will definitely improve. Do you use the balanced outputs?

Regards,