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Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player

Category: Digital

I love natural recordings that capture the full acoustic envelope of the performances. The Shostakovich Sonatas performed by Ax and YYMa comes to mind...the Sony portrays the entire event in such an unforced and natural manner that it triggers ones acoustic memory into believing it is real. A player that offers no tone color or openness would be my worst nightmare. I replaced my BAT VK D5 24 bit CDP and was amazed at how much resolution and color was lost on the older design. The Sony re-creates the space, music and acoustic tones with overtones so completely that you start to smile and realize that you have been given a great gift...a peak into the performance as it occured at the recording session. My opinion of the Sony applies as much for the redbook section as it does for the SACD section. This player will become a classic product for digital playback....much better it does not get! It's a keeper at any price,,,for $1500 USD it is a freakin steal. This is Sony's best effort to date and manages to break new ground in the digital domain:)

Associated gear
Wilson Sophia speakers
Krell 400xi amp
Harmonic Tech Cables
MIT Oracle AC 2 power cord

Similar products
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ARC CD 3
128x128dave_b
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I moved out of my previous environment too much smaller quarters and cashed in the big rig to pay some bills:O(
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Thanks Dave for your clarification. I am really interested in this unit considering the general consensus but at the same time without the benefit of auditioning in my system I am ALWAYS wary, it often times does not pan out the way you might anticipate.
sacdlee
2 posts
 
Hi,

Thanks you for all the informative discussion. XA5400ES is also not available in Singapore. Am thinking to buy from US. But this needs a stepdown transformer as Singaore's electricity is supplied at 230V 50Hz. Will there be impacts on the playback quality? Can anyone help to comment in this? I am planning to place order in this few days.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
FYI, I put together a very musicaly satisfying system with an NAD C565BEE front end using a Yoquin Tube Buffer. It may not quite equal the 5400 Modwright player, but it sure delivers the same gestalt. Total price ran around $1K.
tube_guy's avatar
tube_guy
13 posts
 
Hi Dave,

What PC's are you now using with each piece of your new setting?
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