Is the Sony xa5400es better than scd-1?

Have both and especially on redbook, the 5400 is materially better. On SACD marginally better.

I set the SCD-1 and the 5400 for a side by side comparison and matched levels. On redbook it wasn't even close. The 5400 is much more dynamic. Everything has more rhythmic snap. Also vocal elements recorded in a live space have appreciably more air and presence. It was very palpable on a lot of vocal recordings. Wide, deep soundstage. Very 3-D. In comparison the SCD-1 sounded rather flat and one dimensional.

Playing SACD's, the 5400 presented the music with more air and presence but differences between the units were not as dramatic (as I would expect).

I subsequently had a VSE Uber Clock and Balance Output Board upgrade done the 5400. Everything was taken to another level. Comparable and in some instances superior to vinyl.

I love my SCD-1. It's in my office hooked up to a Chord 64 DAC to some vintage McIntosh electronics, and like the McIntosh gear, it's a classic. The 5400 does not come close to the build quality of tank like SCD-1, but sonically the 5400 is its sonic superior (as it should be after 10 years). Now I suspect if you had a full VSE Level 7 modification done to the SCD-1 it would be competitive with my modded 5400, but barring that, its just not even close.

Bill Thalmann at music technology did the work.

I also compared the 5400 unmodded to the SCD-1 paired with the Chord 64 DAC. Bit more bass with the Chord/SCD combo. Other than that identical. Post mod it of course trounces the Chord/SCD unit.