Rfogel8, I agree that many of us have "a few disappointing purchases," and that leads us to start listening and judging for ourselves. I will not go down the "advertising dollars for reviews" road, although I do believe the magazines can play their favorites by giving more coverage to those mfgs who support them with advertising. That's the way the world turns.
What amazes me is the number of times I read reviews where the reviewer has inappropriate supporting equipment, or a lack of relevant experience with equipment similar to, and competitive against, the piece being reviewed.
Regarding the Sony vs. Oppo, IMO SACD is going to become less relevant as more hi-rez software becomes available on-line. Therefore, if the sonics are close between the two, IMO the ability to play burned hi-rez DVD discs and also Blu-ray movies means the Oppo wins. I am really interested in how close a modded Oppo can come to a good player like the Ayre C-5xeMP and/or to a good computer set-up with an upper level DAC from Wavelength, Empirical Audio or equivalent. The Oppo (perhaps modded) seems like a good "last player" for many as they transition to computer audio. |
Audioholik, don't take this the wrong way but there are thousands of pieces of audio gear for sale on this website(and others), purchased by lemmings who believe everything they read in the audio rags.
After making a few disappointing purchases, the average 'phile begins to realize that most of those Bozos reviewing all that expensive equipment can't hear, have bad taste or more likely, rarely give bad reviews for fear of losing those advertising dollars manufacturers spend in their magazine.
I'm guessing the Oppo 95 does sound better on redbook than the Sony but I'd be surprised if the Sony isn't better on SACD. Then again, it does all boil down to personal taste. |
Audioholik, did Kal compare the 5400 and Oppo on both redbook and SACD?
Funny - I had that issue and threw it out without reading the article. |
as far as modded players are concerned, i suggest that dan wright is an excellent source of advice and information.
i am very pleased with the modded oppo 83 se. |
According to Stereophile's Kal Rubinson the new Oppo BDP-95 universal player ($999) beats the SCD-XA5400 in stereo.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/now-newsstands-istereophilei-vol34-no9 |
Thanks for the feedback. I used NOS 6SN7s but not the better cord. Perhaps my specific favorite recordings are just better on vinyl.
P.S. My listed system here is very out of date. I still have my Audio Note DAC, though. I had a hard time deciding if I liked the MW Sony or AN DAC better on redbook. Good SACDs edged out the best redbook which were invariably XRCDs on both. Also the MW as transport into the AN DAC was substantially better than the Mac Mini I was using (and am still using).
Good jazz SACDs are just so rare. I take it you're listening to mostly redbook in that genre. XRCD? |
Paulfolbrecht, I listen to most types of music but I'm not into country, R&B, or rap crap!!!
Like you, I prefer jazz from the 40's thru the early 70's though I don't care for bebop or the more abstract stuff. I love Ella, Ellington, Satchmo, some Miles, etc. and I also listen to a fair amount of classical, from small scale to full orchestra.
Having gone thru the 60's, I still enjoy old rock and blues; Doors, Beck, Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Beatles(Parlophone), Traffic(love Mr. Fantasy), Cream. I also love old Motown; Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, Temptations.
Throw in some popular stuff, Linda Ronstadt, Mamas & Papas, Judy Collins, maybe some old Mel Torme, Sinatra, Nina Simone. I could go on!
I own many more lp's than cd's/sacd's and while I agree with you that a well recorded lp(in good shape) will almost always edge out well recorded digital, I don't find that I suffer from fatigue or enjoy the music any less through the Modwright. I've spent more than a few evenings listening for five or six hours at a time and the only fatigue was caused by the fact I was going to bed at 4 or 5am.
I don't recall reading any of your posts mentioning whether you swapped out the Russian and Chinese tubes for NOS but if you didn't, you missed out on some very substantial sonic improvements. Ditto for Dan's "upgraded" umbilical cord.
I haven't gotten around to listing my system on the 'Gon yet but like you, I'm running tubes; Atma-Sphere MP-1 Mk3 w/phono and Atma-Sphere MA-1 Mk3 monos; both with all upgrades including V-Caps and Caddocks. I'm using Siltech Gen. 7 interconnects and speaker cables and I must say, my system is about as revealing as it gets.
In the past, like you, I quickly got bored with digital, even to the point of irritation. I went for a couple years and didn't even own a player/separates. With the Modwright, to my ears, the gap has narrowed to the point where I can now thoroughly enjoy extended listening sessions. |
Podeschi, I'm not familiar with the 208 but knowing Ralph is a big fan of Tri-Planar(Tri Mai too), I'm sure they'll make beautiful music together.
I have the most recent version and it mates very well with my Galibier Gavia table(Thom Mackris is a TP fan too) and XV-1s cartridge. It's fairly easy to set up and I love the repeatable settings. |
Rfogel8, what kind of music do you listen to? I am curious for this reason: I have learned that comparisons of digital to vinyl are very music-sensitive.
This is what I mean. I listen mainly to 40s-60s jazz and have found that, while good digital recordings on good players can be very good, good records on vinyl are still substantially better. And, even more importantly, there are many many more good recordings of this genre on vinyl than digital.
(I had a MW 5400 but ultimately sold it. It was truly great - best digital I have heard - but a vinyl setup not much more expensive was still much better. By "much better" I mean much less fatigue and more enjoyment over long listening sessions.) |
Hey rfogel8 I see you own and appreciate the triplanar arm. I am just now in receipt of an atma sphere 208 (modded empire table) that comes with a triplanar vii uii arm. Glad to hear it is a dynamic lively arm! |
Podeschi, I agree with you completely. I too own an analog rig "that costs many multiples more" but since my MW arrived several months ago, most of my time has been spent rediscovering cd's I haven't listened to in ages.
Seriously, the best digital I've heard! |
A few months later and I am still amazed at how incredible the Modwright 5400 sounds. Especially on redbook CDs and xrcds. I can listen to this and enjoy it next to my vinyl rig that costs many multiples more. A liitle more tonal roundness in vinyl but not much. And modwright is sure easier and more dynamic with a quieter noise floor. |
My ModWright XA-5400ES replaced a ModWright 9100ES. The 5400 is, IMO, a significant upgrade - much wider soundstage, better resolution and clarity, more open highs without a trace of etch.
FWIW, I am using a pair of Audience e version Power Chords for both the ModWright 5400 player and the PS 9.0 power supply. Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II XLR connect SACD player and preamp while Harmonic Technology Magic 2 XLR join preamp and power amp. I am very happy with the above combination. I also opted for Dan's new umbilical. |
Dfk0
I am using the HT Magic Link 2 cable(s) between 5400es and preamp. I have both the xlr and rca versions connected to compare. The xlr sound better -- quiter and a little more open...obviously more gain as well. I think the Harmonic Technology cables are awesome.
I did a power cord comparison and ended up with the Audience e powercords. Keeps things dynamic and lively. |
Goose,Mystang, thanks for the input. I just purchased an HT Magic One cable and am ready to go when I get my player back from ModWright. |
Dfk0
I am using the HT magic cables with the Modwright version. They sound just fine in this combination. |
Anyone use either of the Harmonic Technology Magic 1 or 2 cables with the player? I'm thinking of trying this cable since I have HT 1 (XLR) going between the preamp and amp. |
I finally finished the comparison of the Playback Designs cd player vs the Modright Sony XA5400ES. The Playback did sound better after the 500 hour mark. I probably ended up with 800 hours on it. In the end I sold it. I thought the Modright was more musical and more organic in the midrange. Detail of both were great. The bass on the Playback in the Upper Mids were just a touch tighter, that is it. The Playback is five times the price of the modright and should be better in every way.
Well price is not always a factor. I will not miss the Playback. |
I use a pair of Jenna Labs Symphony for me they get the tone better than others that I have tried. |
I just got my stock XA5400 about 2 weeks ago and am 'stunned' at what I'm hearing on redbook.
And the player isn't fully burned in yet!!
I'm also curious as to what others are using for an interconnect to their preamps. I'm using a Madrigal XLR CZ Gel 1 between my Levinson 38S and so far it's very smooth and holographic. No harsh edginess or fatiguing qualities.
What other great cables are there to match with the Sony? |
Wywires Juice II is a really nice power cord. It bested Lessloss DFPC on the Sony in my system at half the cost. Also,try an Audioprism rca ground control on the Sony. This addition really opened up the sound of the Sony. |
Whats a good power cord for the Sony SCD-XA5400ES? |
I also had good luck changing the players tubes to the Sophia's. I noticed an improvement over the stock affair. I also upgraded the power supply to a NOS GE (Mullard). This a excellent player with Dan's mods. My only complaint is the player has some noise between cirtuits and tube board due to proximity I believe. This is noticable when the pre amp gain is turned up without the source coming through. |
Thanks. I have it sitting on a Symposium Ultra shelf coupled with ceraballs. |
i've had good luck w/ cabling from TG Audio (the new stuff), but i've had great luck w/ grey top 6sn7s and mullard 5ar4s in the unit. and do address vibration w/ a good footer.
unit responds well to tweaks...and for the $, its a friggin bargain. so detailed & musical, so antithetical to digital. |
Thanks, Jwm. Yes, I ordered the upgraded umbilical on Dan's advice. I have nothing to compare it to, but trust him when he said it makes a difference. My sense of Dan is he is under-stated. When he says something makes a nice difference, it is the equivalent of other audio companies saying they have revolutionized the industry. Question for 5400es owners -- what is the best power cord to use? I'm amazed at the difference I'm hearing with using the Transparent Audio and the Audience....shows how resolving the 5400es is for me to hear the difference in a power cord swap. |
Podeschi, welcome to the modright sony 5400ES family. When you put 200 hours on it you will like it even better. I agree with you on the Cardas, as I am using Siltech and like them better. Have you purchased Dan's new Umbilical wire that goes between power supply and unit, if not you may want to. Your review hits the nail right on the head. The player is transparent but not digital or grainy sounding at all. Enjoy |
I've had the ModWright 5400es now for two weeks and have done extensive listening to redbook CDs and SACDs. My comparison is my previous Sony SCD-XA777es, my PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC and Bridge, and my vinyl front end (Clearaudio Innovation Wood with Graham Phantom B44 and Benz LP-S through Herron phono preamp). Since I jumped back into vinyl, I listen to albums 80 percent of the time and digital 20 percent of the time.
I purchased the ModWright 5400 in order to keep a player that would allow me to play my SACD collection, which I found to be much more pleasurable and analogue-sounding than listening to CDs.
I am amazed and over-the-top satisfied with the Modwright 5400 player. In fact, I'm almost alarmed how good it sounds (given what I've spent on other source components). I did not hear the stock 5400es (I had a new unit shipped directly to Dan at Modwright for his truth mods).
This is the one component in my system that marries the yin with the yang wonferfully. It is very detailed, transparent and open. At the same time isn't abrasive or etchy but is very musical and sweet and fluid (moreso with Transparent Audio Reference power cords installed on power supply and unit). It offers simultaneous access to last bit of inner detail, layering, dynamics, transients, punch. And, it is coherent...meaning I'm not sitting analyzing what I'm hearing but get lost in the music easier than usual, so it delivers to me a great pace, timing, holistic sound. There are many moments when I'm thinking how much I enjoy the ease of listening coupled with what sounds like all veils or grunge or opaqueness has been removed.
The biggest surprise....I have never heard standard CDs sound this good, through any system. In fact, I sent a note to Dan at Modwright telling him that I actually think some of my well recorded CDs sound better than many of my SACDs. This has confused me, and I have listened to a lot of CDs to see if it was a true pattern or not. Something about the Modwright 5400es makes the standard redbook CD sound amazing -- I'd say it matches or beats hi-rez files played through my DAC. I was burning all my CDs to my hard drive for playback solely through my PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC. Now, I'm looking for a way to organize my CDs to I can play them in my 5400es.
I've also done cable comparisons on the 5400es. Comparing Harmonic Technology Magic Link 2 to Cardas Golden Reference. I prefer the HT as it has a slightly "bigger" sound/soundstage, and is a bit more open on top. I wouldn't call myself a detail freak, but I do like a fast, transparent sound, but am quickly fatigued by sibilance and etch/glare.
In any regard, I remain amazed at how wonderful the ModWright 5400es sounds (even if I had paid 2-3x the price for it). The fact it was $3,400 with mods makes it one of the best purchases I've made in the last decade in any category (other comparison would be a Volkswagen R32 I bought 7 years ago which bested any car I drove up to 2x the price, which I enjoy as much/more today as when I bought it, and which I will never sell). I'm so pleased with the ModWright 5400es, I have thought I should buy a second as a backup -- keep it stored in a safe place somewhere.
I went into great detail here because I firmly believe in and appreciate the value and performance of what I bought. |
My Modwrighted 5400 was not overly detailed or hyper resolving in the least. It did have warmth, palpability, dynamics, killer bass and sweet extended highs. It was the fine balance of sound it struck that won me over. |
Thanks for the follow-up with Dan Wright Mr. Tennis. I think this focuses this whole better/best matter into a more realistic perspective. I too was strongly considering the Sony after what I read but like you could not find unamious concensus on it and since I've owned 2 sony digital products from the past and not really being a fan of a certain "smoothness" that I have found with their products I was apprehensive. This is not to say that I may not have turned out to like the Sony but I just didn't want to take the chance on springing 1100.00 and finding out ultimately it wasn't to my taste. |
hi mystang:
dan told me he brought both modded players to the 2010 rocky mountain audio show, and said some preferred the modded oppo while others preferred the modded sony. he did not quantify the difference in warmth but suggested that i would not like the sony because it might be too resolving for my taste. he said the oppo was warmer. as you said he did not quantify the difference between the two.
i have two concerns:
1) based upon your observations, warmer may not be enough to achieve a tubey sound and if the difference is small, i probably won't like either.
2) he uses the modern tungsol 6sn7, which i have owned and find them lacking warmth. i wonder how much difference replacing the tungsol, with some nos sylvania, or rca might change the sound.
it may not pay to buy either. i may have to look else where for a more traditional tube sounding unit.
thanks for your observations. you may have saved me from making a mistake.
i probably would prefer an old sony like the scd 1. |
Mitch2
I have both and the Oppo is the warmer one and to me it is obvious on a short listen but I would not call it a great difference. |
Mr. T, when you say, i ecenetly spoke to dan wright about his mods to the sony and the opp 83 se. here is a choice. in essence, warmth vs detail. Which one is warm and which one is detailed? Is this based on your conversation with Dan? If so, is the difference in Dan's opinion large, or a matter of shadings? |
In the abstract you are correct Mrtennis, but practicaly speaking, some things are better than others for the money. The 5400, modded or not, is such a player. The NAD C565BEE is another overachiever, albeit for a different buyer perhaps. Balance is the word that comes to mind, and I'll take that over exteme detail, warmth, smoothness or any other hyper characteristic. I find the best way to evaluate any component/system is to utilize live recordings...ones I have had experience with from direct participation or those that I have used repeatedly for evaluation of several different systems. |
i ecenetly spoke to dan wright about his mods to the sony and the opp 83 se.
here is a choice. in essence, warmth vs detail. one is not better than other , rather one is different than another.
players have strengths and weaknesses. one man's rupture is another's rapture.
so it is highly conjectural to speak of best player under any dollar amount.
just listen as much as you can.
i happen to be in the market for an sacd player, but it won't be the 5400. hopefully, it will have a tube or two in it. |
I had the Ayre C5xe Universal player and added the MP upgrade to it. I had to sell due to finances. Bought the Sony SCD-XA5400ES based on Audiogoners opinions here and am happy as heck I did. I find it better in most ways than the AYRE. I have just installed Audioprism reference ground control to the Sony and what an upgrade. I'll bet this has brought me close to halfof the way of what a modwright upgrade does performance-wise. It was a very large upgrade. I have also put ground controls on my amp and speakers, and every improves the sound markedly! |
Thank you Rgd for your explanation of "shill." |
A lot of passion around this player. I have the Modwright version. Is it the best player with the mod under $10K, $20K? I don't know. Unless I can listen to players in a direct blind A/B test and switch between the two rapidly, my audio memory isn't that great. I will say that it sounds very good and betters the Sony 999ES Modwright that I had. I find it hard to justify buying anything new that is digital because of technology changes. My Modwright was used (like new) and I have upgraded the tubes, power chords and umbilical. At this point I don't have a desire change and am very satisfied with it's performance. |
One definition is
"A shill or plant is a person who helps another person or organization to sell goods or services without disclosing that he or she has a close relationship with the seller. The shill pretends to have no association with the seller/group and gives onlookers the impression that he or she is an enthusiastic independent customer." |
Mitch4t:
What's a "shill?"
Thanks. |
The Sony Modwright is a great player for music lovers and is a bargain at the asking price of $3500. I sold mine for financial reasons and a change of environment. The Sony easily competes with the best available:O) |
. 03-02-11: Zmanastronomy
Has anyone noticed the OP hasn't chimed in since he started this thread ? That's odd. Zmanastronomy, your observation has some merit. I believe the original poster was a shill. All of that bluster and not one response to all of the questions asked of him in over a year. As a matter of fact, he hasn't posted anywhere on the 'Gon since his original post. He did a good job garnering interest and curiosity for the machine. By a lot of accounts here it is a good machine, and it has surely gotten me curious. But I still believe the OP was a shill, his post reads like a carnival barker. . |
i have never stated that i own the sony, only that i am considering it for purchase and there have been some comments that have been critical of it.
i don't know the score. it doesn't matter.
there are differences of opinion and the fact that there may me more pros than cons does imply that there is a risk when purchasing.
dbphd: no is twisting your arm to respond to my comments. i think you have misinterpreted them. it doesn't matter. t's just talk. incidentally use the dictionary next time you want to use the "m" word, as you spelled it incorrectly. I'm just joshing.
in the past sentiment has been expressed that opinions on audogon should be considered carefully. I am being euphemistic in my last statement. |
Dave b states
"Just a sidebar here, I owned the 5400 and then Modwrighted it...just great! Recently I picked up an NAD C565BEE for my sitting room system...I'm blown away! Very fleshed out and sexy sounding with weight and authority..sweet highs. If SACD is not a priority then this could warm your soul for redbook!"
Hi Dave I recently commented on your review of the SCD-X5400ES. You stated last July that you were sending it out for the Modwright mod. No further comments on the results. After your quite enthusiastic comments of the stock unit I was anticipating your assessment of the mods. It seems that this NAD C 565BEE has maybe supplanted it? If not stated it seems implied as you haven't commented on your impressions of the modded Sony on this thread ("just great") or your review thread. The suspense is killing me, what gives? |
Rgs92 if your sony is not a Modright then no comparison. |
The 5400 Modwright has ZERO "Glare"...on that you can rely! |
Dave_b done an in depth review on the Sony 5400 here on AG.
Due to the comment he made above about the NAD C 565BEE I bought one. All I can say is THANK YOU DAVE!
Man o man,I am very impressed. It sounds as if it already has a tube upgrade.
I picked one of the refurbished units up here on AG for $569 shipped. Saved a ton of money compared to the Sony 5400 and I don't regret it at all.
Thank you Dave,for all your help in my decision. |
I haven't heard anyone talking about specific flaws about XA5400ES, other than general "I like another player better than Sony". The only complaint seems to be coming from mrtennis who don't own Sony and never even heard of it, yet seems to be full of opinions about this player. |
Just to ask the Playback Design fans, how do you feel it deals with digital glare, especially on poorly recorded CDs with vocals that are recorded or equalized to scream at you?
(OK, I know this is an acid test, but I am curious.)
Thanks in advance. |
I have the Sony and an EMM CDSA with the X upgrade, and although the Sony is competitive (which says a lot), the EMM does a lot better job of curing some of the digital evils, like the annoying glare of some lesser-quality CDs and even SACDs in the midrange (especially some vocals).
This makes the difference in many older CDs with music I love between being painful/unlistenable and being, well, just fine.
My intuition is that the EMM is playing skillfully with the digital processing in some kind of miraculous way, not just playing with frequency response or equalization.
The Sony and other players I have owned just don't seem to do this like EMM. Every CD I have tried with this EMM is free of fatal flaws, and some previously bad ones are now spectacular.
Having said that, on not-so-bad or even mediocre recordings, the Sony really does a great job of eliminating hardness, especially in the boundaries of images, which are silky and detailed, a very nice combination, and image saturation is great. Piano is very well handled in the Sony with impact and no annoying digital bite. And percussion is also great, also with impact and detail but again without hardness.
If the CD does not have an inherent "shout factor", which I feel is the one of the main problems of a number of CDs,
the Sony acquits itself very nicely. Instruments sound life size and just swing without piercing pain, and I get lost in the music. I think the images are even a bit bigger than the EMM, and I like that. And again, the overall signature is silkiness with evident but not overbearing impact.
Thanks for reading. |
