Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player

I haven't heard this particular Sony, but I have two thoughts to add: ONE, ModWright really loves this player and calls it the best SACD player he has modded yet. Unlike the Sony 9100ES, which is DVD / SACD, the circuitry in the 5400 is relatively simple (being audio only) and consequently lends itself to better sound quality. (I own the ModWright / Sony 9100ES Platinum Signature Truth mod and will use it until it's dead. By the way, the chassis for the two players is virtually identical, and is one Sony has been "re-stuffing" for some time now.) ModWright is the way to go for ultimate upgrades, IMO.

My SECOND thought is this: As good as Sony's best SACD machines are (modded or not), they all possess one annoying feature: VERY SLOW disc read times...sometimes a minute or more on certain discs! There are other fine players out there which use an entirely different transport--the Philips CD Pro 12 series, which is VERY FAST. Musical fidelity, Jolida, and Shanling are a few names that come to mind, if memory serves. And don't forget the Oppo SE, which plays EVERYTHING and is nearly in the same league as the new Sony for considerably less money...and its operation is LIGHTNING QUICK, from what I understand. (ModWright upgrades this player as well.) When I put a disc in the drawer of my Sony, I think about things like the preparation time for a good meal, which helps tame my frustration considerably... ;)

The 5400 reads CDs and SACDs very quickly. I have not measure it, but I estimate 5-10 seconds. No complaints at all.

Regards,

Has any one compared the RB portion to well reviewed DACs such as the Benchmark DAC1 Pre, or Bel Canto Dac3?

one way to make the very good Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
even better is the Very extensive mod Modwright has just completed Dan says it is his best sounding mod to date for cd and for under $3500 total investment competes with units up to $10k that is a statement.

I have compared the Sony 5400 forget the Benchmark it is not as musical -natural sounding , the Belcanto dac-3 may be a little better but remember for the same money plus a transport and cable for $2k Modwright will be modding
my unit soon and from what the beta testers have said and Dan it goes way out Vaccum tube ,Lundahl transformers
Burson master clock and a bunch of other stuff
apples to apples The Sony will compete with the big names
for for less moneys .