Rega Saturn or Sony XA5400: Sound or features?

Thanks to all who have responded.

To Chayro I guess I forgot this thread from August; however, I don't enjoy being make to look like some absent-minded fool.

Regrettably over the last year or so, I have seen a mounting intolerance against members whose questions seem redundant or somewhat naïve.

One in particular comes to mind.... when a member who bought some Nordost "Purple Flare" speaker cable and interconnects wanted reassurance that "he did not make a mistake" What followed was a barrage of responses which in my opinion were insulting to the member. I responded by claiming he should relax and enjoy the music, and said that most professional audio dealers would take the cables back in exchange for another model or brand with possibly a small restocking fee

In my own case, the impetus behind my thread, was the alarming rate of Sony XA5400ES on sale on AG and e-bay. This trend leads me to believe that the professional audio reviewers are full of shit, especially Kal Rubinson at Stereophile who wildly sung the praises of the Sony 5400. I have to conclude that those who have bought this model Sony and are selling so quickly have discovered the player is just not what it is cracked up to be.

The Sony retails for $1500 retail, and can usually be purchased "USED" on AG for $1000-to $1250. I don't really give a crap about its computer music related features; I am only interested in sound quality, and whether it can provide an upgrade in sound from my Rega Apollo; that is, better bass, smoother highs, less glare, etc. WOW!!! is that too much to ask about on an audio blog??

Now that I know the player can't decode HDCD, I am even less interested in the Sony because I have about 4 HDCD's in my humble collection that I was curious of what improvements the decoding might render.

Do I sound angry, take a wild guess?? If my threads seem redundant, then don't fucking answer them. Remember, this is an just obsessive hobby, not a round table on the state of the national economy!!!

To Jedinite: yes, I live in Hawaii and it is paradise; that is, until the tsumani sirens start sounding or the islands are in the direct path of a mothering typhoon or hurricane. Despite the sun, blue sky, water and tight bikini bottoms, it is somewhat frightening to be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

As Jed noted, shipping here is expensive; for example 25-30 lbs shipped USPS Priority Mail is $96.00,plus insurance to any location in the USA. On the mainland, it would cost approx. $25-$30. UPS and FED-EX rates are off the scope, and double the rate of USPS Priority for the same weight Therefore any try, sell or return experiments are not financially feasible over the long term.

A seller shipped a used pair of Acoustic Zen Adagios from a small town in Wisconsin to Honolulu by FED-EX and it cost $525.00. Call me crazy.... Jon 1257 already has. However, it was worth the money because it is a great speaker, the best I ever owned

Jed: Underwood Wally generally ships from Atlanta or has manufacturers direct ship product. He does maintain a store front in the town of Laihaina on the island of Maui where he lives. I don't know who Uncle Stu is, but I think you are referring to the owner of Hawaii HI-FI in Honolulu where I currently live. The other high-end shop is Audiolab. Both these dealers sell very high end gear such as Soulution, YG, Walker, TT's Focal, Acappella etc.

Winoguy has again confirmed the point made to Chayro,about the growing intolerance or impatience of some members. If you make other members self conscious of being redundant, then they will be reluctant to submit any threads. The last time I checked, no member designated you and Chayro, gatekeepers of the AG forums. I guess I will have to return to submitting more ponderous threads, like, " Do you listen alone or with guests?" That was a big winner,with several hundred replies and Yahoos

Nevertheless, relative to this post, which has gone over like the bubonic plague, I should ask if...."the CD player and CD format are dead"

I must go....because the guys with the white coats and straight jackets have arrived and are banging on my door.!!!

No serious offense taken by Chayro or Jon's comments

However, I think I will go into hibernation for awhile because I can't find what I want in a CD player or can't afford what I want.

Nevertheless, I have to downsize the system anyway because I will be moving back to the mainland in August. Los Angeles does have plenty of audio stores to visit and audition products, if I decide to configure a smaller system