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Sony SCD-XA5400ES-Best SACD for under $10,000

This Sony player supplanted my Ayre C5-XE 3, which I still have, months ago. I paid $6000 for the Ayre after determining that it was the best-sounding unit for under $10,000. The Sony blows it away!!!
A unit costing $1500 besting all others under $10,000? That is exactly what it does!
For reference, I am using Audio Research electronics and Vandersteen speakers and subwoofers (about $30,000); a similar system has repeatedly been lauded as "best of show" at CES, so we are NOT talking second-rate stuff here.
This Sony is the only SACD/Cd player I have EVER heard that puts a classical piano live in my living room; nothing I ever had before even comes close.
This unit is a small miracle. I would have gladly paid $8000 for it, but if they want to give the thing away for $1500, who am I to argue?
This unit is going to send the engineers at Audio Research, Luxman, Esoteric, and Ayre back to the drawing board; their current units at 4 to 5 times the price are not even close. Some engineer at Sony is a freaking genius!!!
wa6itd

Showing 2 responses by lula

lula
213 posts
 
I contacted Modwright about a week ago and was told that Dan prefers the modded 5400 to the modded Oppo. However, the person I spoke to prefers the Oppo for its' warmth. I'm trying to find out whether these units actually compare
with 10K or more units. Has anyone actually compared them to Emm, ARC, Playback, Cary, Ayon, etc.? I just find it hard to believe that the Oppo, in particular, can be in this elite status.
lula
213 posts
 
I also own the Playback Design as well as the MW 5400. I have Dan's additional mods, Nichicon Caps, Bybees, Audio Magic pulse generator as well as the latest
umbilical cord. This adds about $1300. to the 2K standard mod. I've also upgraded the tubes with a Mullard rectifier and NOS Tungsol 6NS7s (I preferred these to Sylvanias), as well as after-market power cords. I have an after-market power cord on the PD as well. The MW is very good, extremely musical....the addition of Dan's umbilical cord was a surprisingly big improvement....more dynamics and vibrancy. However the PD just exceeds it in just about every way....the best digital I've ever heard and I've owned and heard quite a few of the "best". However the PD DEFINITELY needs 500 hours of burn-in. Read Fremer's review in Stereophile....a most unusual change in sonics during those 500 hours. I went through almost an identical series of sonic upheavals during that process....which actually made me doubt my ears!
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