In response to the laser 3weeks is nothing myself and others have had even cheap cd players for years also please keep in mind the Sony 5400 cd-sacd player has 2 lasers for the sacd has it's own decoder and needs several hundred hours to run in , if you don;t have a sacd disc
then Buy one they sound great and you can run in a new unit with the sacd side first.
I have my first initial impressions available on my Modwright Ultimate mod for the Sony 5400 ,and even with only 75 hours on it , and 400 is needed for full breakin
it is very very natural sounding the music just flows out if the speakers ,sure it is somewhat closed in still and the fron to back layering is not quite there yet ,but the timber of a stringed instrument like a Cello or a drum head has great timber with outstanding seperation of instruments ,and being it is not even close to being runin that is saying a lot .I can say with conviction
any $10k unit will have a hard time following this player
just checkout how extensive this build is at Modwright , also the seperate Vacuum tube power supply probably weighs
10 lbs on it's own and the 6sn7 Vacuum tubes for the New analog section give it much more dimention and Make the stock unit sound broken.
Dan at Modwright hit this one out of the park ! |
Audioman58, good point in your post. I have never run my CDPs 24X7. My question is, will this not have adverse affect on the Laser - like shortening it's life unusually be the constant light/heat it emits? |
As far as quality the Sony 5400 has very good build quality just because the plant moved to Malaysia does not mean this quality went with it .While in Europe I seen a writeup that shows a state of the are Co. that are trained my Sonys best and have tight QUALITY CONTROL , very good internal components The dual R core transformers are make in Japan as well as the capacitors and the transport is only 2nd best behind Esoteric, the Burrbrown dacs and reciever chips are made in the U.S.A -aka Texas instruments.If this was still made in Japan where labor is 3x higher this unit would be over $4500 this is what Sonys
rep said which a is true of the labor costs ,also inside is very well layed out .This unit does take some 500 hours to fully runin myself and several others have logged hours at least 2 fell weeks 24-7 just for it to smooth out .
I will say one thing though I Heard the New Modwright Ultimate mod for the Sony 5400 while out west against a Esoteric 03-SE which is a very good unit the Sony was a much more musical unit ,you wil see I am sure some exceptinal reviews coming out on this .It was so good My unit is now at Modwrights getting transformed IMO one of the best deals in all of audio ! I will tell you exactly how it sounds once back in my system by mid July . |
Well, I don't know much about Ipods, but if you're saying that more expensive players sound better than cheaper players of the same generation, I agree with you. |
Chayro - I don't believe the title of the thread, I know the Sony probably doesn't sound as good as a 10k player. That's not MY point. I just find your conversation silly.
My Rolls is better than your Kia! Well, no kidding ..lol.
*as an aside .... didn't a first generation Ipod beat a 10k - 20k CDP in a BLIND test before a large audience* |
IF YOU WERE TO HAVE JENA-LABS OF OREGON MODIFY A STOCK $499.00 BASIC OPPO-83 LIKE I DID THEN YOU PROBABLY WOULD NOT EVEN BE INTERESTED IN THE SONY. JENNIFER CROCK ROCKS!
WHAT AN AMAZING VALUE.UNLIKE ALL OF THE OTHER OPPO MODDERS SHE IS A TRUE SONICS ENGINEER AND NOT JUST A HOBBYIST WHO SWAPS PARTS. |
Tgyeti - point of this thread is that the Sony is the best player under $10K. If that's true, the Sony should be as good as the EMM. The Sony is a nice machine that does a lot of things well, but it doesn't cost 10K or sound like it does. Or 8K or 6K. If you think it does, then it does. |
The last 3 posts are comparing apples and oranges. The EMM is a $10k set up, while the Sony is 1/10 that cost. Most of us in the real world can't spend the value of a used car on a CDP. |
@Chayro, yes it is hard to go back. But I've never been a believer in the absolute sound concept. Different perspectives keep things interesting. That's why I have lots of headphones and love to listen to something first on one phone than others. The Sony is more gentle than real live music, but it is, well, gentle on my mind. It is NOT some mid-fi thing that makes me think I would be better off listening to talk radio with my time. The Sony has a golden-glow style, a coloration I guess, but with digital, there are far worse evils. Long ago I had a Sony SCD777ES that was just plain terrible to my ears (with vocals that sounded like a cheap radio) so I guess I am a little shocked at the how much better the 5400 is. FWIW, it sounds really nice through a pair of Grado PS1000 headphones. |
"The EMM has a you-are-there feeling that the Sony does not."
Well, that's sort of what it's all about, isn't it? Once you've experienced that in your hifi, it's very hard to go back. Of course, if you've never experienced a player that brings the performance into your room (to the extent possible) you won't miss it. |
My main player is an EMM CDSD-SE/DCC2-SE. I got the 5400 for a 2nd system. All of my impressions are from mostly Redbook listening with Harbeth SHL5s and a variety of high-end modern headphones. (I find the Sony really benefits from good ICs: my Stealth Indras[RCA] were much better, especially in the bass quality and integration, than Cardas Golden Cross.) Yes, the EMM pair has wonderful control, palpability, and solid bass and sweet highs. But the Sony, which has a different presentation, gives it a run for the money. It has a delicacy that is stunning, and also preserves each musical element's character. Vocals are rounded and airy and do not shout. In fact there is no dreaded digital shout. Everything takes its place in an overall stable fabric that is non-fatiguing. There is nice combination of velvety smoothness along with just the right amount of texture and bite. The bass is not as well defined as the EMM, but it is a pleasant bass that is soothing and has good impact, but not an impact that sounds boom-boxy.
I would say the Sony walks the line to avoid offending but still hints strongly at reality. The EMM has a you-are-there feeling that the Sony does not. However, I can almost sense that the Sony was carefully tuned by ear by someone who knows what good old vinyl sounds like. Someone took a real Goldilocks approach to this player.
It is more open and well defined and less constricted and just plain better than (by memory) my old Accuphase DP75V. It's a keeper for me. |
I just use a heavy duty generic power cord and it sounds very good.I tried some very expensive power cords and I personally could not hear any difference with my Bryston gear or this( not saying there isn't a difference but rather I simply am not able to hear it).I guess I am lucky as it saves me a whole lot of money. |
I agree with the power cord upgrade. I was using a Harmonic Tech Pro-AC11 PC which was better than the standard power cord but when I added an Elrod EPS-2 power cord holy cow the sounds were so much richer and fuller. I can't believe the change. I highly recommend the Elrod PC cords. This is my first but not my last. |
At just over 300 hours, I'm very pleased with what I'm hearing. If there's a better cd player out there, I'm certain I can't afford it. |
I don't disagree Chayro, but in the beginning I like to keep the rest of the system as the constant in the equation. That way I feel I'm measuring the differences between the new player and the one it replaced. After I'm convinced it's staying, and I feel I've got a pretty good handle on how it differs from the old unit, I can make any necessary adjustments.
Since this Sony is replacing another Sony, I would think those adjustments will likely be minimal. Frankly, I was 99% happy with the sound of the XA7ES, I just wanted to replace it while it was still working and sounding good and I knew that newer players would offer some improvements. The 5400ES is sounding better and better, except for the aforementioned power cable I'll be surprised if I change anything else.
One more thing, this was way more than "may not sound right". The sound of this player during break-in with the stock power cord was dramatically inferior to the sound the player is capable of with simply a better generic cable. It was really that bad. Just read my "big mistake" post. I wasn't exaggerating. |
I think people forget something - they have a given CD player and they optimize the system to get it to sound it's best. They select the right ICs and PCs, move the speakers around, etc. Then they substitute something new and little wonder it may not sound right. You might have to move the speakers a bit or purchase a different IC or whatever. |
One more thing, It could just be my imagination but the power cable upgrade seems to be accelerating the break in. I hear improvements every time I check in on it. |
Well, that's good news. I would recommend trying every power cord in your house whether it's a high-end replacement or not. The one that comes with the player is pretty bad. I got improved sound just by grabbing one out of a drawer that I had left over from a computer or guitar amp or something. I have a Zu Cable Bok which I intend to use eventually, but I have to make a slight modification (i.e. big hole) in the back of my equipment cab to accommodate the cable, since the 5400ES is so deep. |
Well, In the beginning the sound was too dry with an unfocused sound, lacking space.
After some 175-200 hours the sound became far more smoother and openness came in. This process continued until around 425 hours on the clock. From this point on I am proportional happy with the sound, which is transparent, focused, very smooth, coherent and unforced with a solid low end.
Proportional, because I still use the stock powercord, which I intend to change shortly in one of the aftermarkets, Shunyata Anaconda CX, Furutech Powerflux, Nordost Valhalla or whatsoever came in in this quality region.
The only aftermarket pc I listen until now was a Belden, which was a great disappointment.
Good luck! |
Well, since I've already admitted to being an idiot, here's another update. My previous cd player had a captive power cable so I didn't have an extra cable lying around the house. I was forced to fire up the 5400 with the 3 cent power cable they packed in the box. I caught up with a friend last night who had an extra cable I could borrow and it remedied 90% of what I described in my previous post. Soundstage is still a little shallow but wider now, and dynamics issues have been fixed. Presentation is still a little forward but I'm not ducking throwing stars anymore and the soloists aren't sitting in my lap.
I am hopeful again and will give it another week before I freak out. Sony should be ashamed of themselves throwing that cable in the box. I know that no self-respecting audiophile intends to use that cable permanently but it ought to AT LEAST be usable! Maybe they could refrain from including the ridiculous patch cable and spend the extra penny on the power cord?
Sequence56 - Can you calm my anxieties with regards to the soundstage/presentation issues? What can I expect in another week or two? |
The Sony 5400 needs some 4-500 hours to break in, as mine reveals. |
Update after 100hrs of continuous play...HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.
Yeah, bass is great, midrange is neutral, instrument timbres seem very accurate, BUT... soundstage is narrow and shallow. Barely two-dimensional. Presentation is so forward that when listening to jazz I feel like I'm the drummer, and orchestral cymbal clashes fly out of the speakers like ninja throwing stars. Lacks weight when compared to my XA7ES, and dynamics seem to choke in the high frequencies. I'll be shocked if this player can transform enough to make me want to keep it. I stand by what I said earlier about improving on my old player in several key areas but when viewed as a whole, performance is lacking.
Already sold my XA7ES. I feel like an idiot tonight. Big MISTAKE. |
Hello.
I have Sony Xa9000ES for 5 years, and until now I was very happy..the only strange thing that I discover was that the sound from the analog outputs are worse than from the digital outputs.. I also open it, and took off the i-link cable, and still the sound from the digital outputs are still more real..much much better.
Anyone have XA5400ES and XA9000ES and can compare them, using the digital outputs on the XA9000ES?
I am buying XA5400ES anyway..but just to be sure.
Thanks,
Joao |
My Tag Heuer tells me we've spent far too much time talking about watches.
I just bought a 5400 ES to replace my beloved XA7ES and although the build quality really pales in comparison with the XA7 (like comparing a can of Altoids to an iPhone), the 5400 sounds as good or better, in many respects, than the player it is replacing. I'm only on second day of break-in, but I'm thinking it's a keeper. |
Well said Mcondon. I like how he asks why we cant " stay on point " after he cuts and pastes 5 pages about Swiss watches! He also said he does not judge, than slams the entire country of Malaysia! Oh well, at least he LOVES HIS MUSIC! |
The Sony SCD-XA5400ES IMO sounds better than the $6000 Ayre or $8000 ARC tube CD player! |
Bjpd5ya1, you are doing an effective job of ruining what might have otherwise been a good thread. Your posts are barely coherent rants whose main contention as far as I can gather is that a Sony CD player assembled in Malaysia selling for $1500 cannot possibly compete in terms of sound quality with more expensive players assembled in Japan (or Switzerland.)
This contention is ludicrous. Did it ever occur to you that one of the main reasons the XA5400 is inexpensive is that it was assembled in Malaysia, where labor is cheap, and not in Japan, where labor is very expensive? Although globalization has its downsides, one of the main advantages is to lower prices by producing goods in the parts of the world with the lowest unit labor costs. Unlike some audio brands that fatten up their profit margins through this outsourcing, Sony doesn't have as much cache as a brand and therefore faces a more elastic demand curve than other "niche" audio companies with valuable brand names. When demand curves are elastic, revenues are maximized by setting a low price (moving the supply curve to the right.) This is a basic concept in economics and probably the one that Sony is following with the XA5400.
In any case, it would have been nice to hear the impressions of more audiophiles who have heard both the XA5400 and other players at higher price points. How, for example, does the 5400 compare to the PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC/Transport, the Ayon CD-2, the Meridian G08, the latest Ayre, etc.? That is information that would be helpful for those of us trying to decide on the appropriate budget for a digital source. If it makes no sense to spend $6,000 on the Perfect Wave combo when the XA5400 sounds equally good, I would like to know that. |
Football Bat? Definitely grounds for ejection!
I'm sure a baseball bat will suffice.
By the way, have a 5400 and find it to be the best ES yet. |
Bjpd57al there are people here who would argue with a FOOTBALL BAT. I really feel sorry for them because their lives are that terrible and negative and they have to pick fights here and hijack a thread. I am tickled you like the 5400 and there are plenty of others that do so screw the ones that don't. |
|
Sony SCD-XA5400 Best SACD under $10k?
Or, pick at petty non relevant issues?
Can we just stay on the "point"?
Music is All about Joy!
I am sorry I Ever said Anything at All!
Someone Always gets "bent".
I try to share "knowledge" and I hit a "brick Wall!"
This is my Last entry, in to Any forum,life is too short,
to argue, "mine is bigger!"
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you."
Jim Rohn
"In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."
Mother Teresa
Can't we just agree, to disagree?
We All love music, so we All have that in common.
Can't we All just get along?
I LOVE MY MUSIC! |
I have a cheap Casio from the 80's that keeps as good or better time than most any mechanical watch ever made- I found it in the drawer after three years and it was not off time by more than ten seconds.
Your cut and paste does not convince me. As for aesthetics I will grant you a finely made watch is exquisite and I prefer it- but please don't argue function in this matter. |
I am not a "watch" expert either, but...
"When it comes to watches, thereýs one name that stands out, Swiss watch. They produce the highest quality timepieces, establishing more brands with top-of-the-line models being endorsed by world-class celebrity icons like Brad Pitt and Tiger Woods. Some of the very popular brands are TAG Heuer, Rolex, Omega, and Oris. They are manufactured by different companies. However, they maintain the high quality standards that the Swiss watch has been taking care over the decades."
In 2008, the Swiss watch show has spotted the latest trends in watches.
Swiss quality - "Swiss made"
As with other products like chocolate, Switzerland jealously protects its beautifully made and aesthetically appealing watches and clocks with the Swiss made label. Swiss made is more than a simple label of origin. It is a sign to customers that they are buying a product of outstanding quality and reliability.
With the help of legislation, international treaties and multilateral agreements drawn up by the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, Switzerland has the necessary legal instruments to protect Swiss made watches and clocks from piracy and counterfeiting.
Swiss made
To obtain the Swiss made label a watch must meet certain minimum conditions. Although some foreign-made components may be used, they may not account for more than 50% of the total value of the components and the watches must also be both assembled and inspected in Switzerland.
Some regions in Switzerland, like the banking and watchmaking capital of Geneva, have their own label of origin. However, the Geneva hallmark does not enjoy the same level of protection as the Swiss made label. A watch may carry the Geneva hallmark if it meets the same requirements as those for a Swiss-made watch and if at least one of the major operations in its manufacture was carried out in the canton of Geneva.
More prestigious than this is the award of the quality hallmark known as the "poinçon de Genève" or Geneva Seal, issued by the Office for the Voluntary Inspection of Watches from Geneva. They must have been made in the canton, and each movement must be numbered. There are 12 strict criteria to be met ensuring the highest standards in engineering, finishing and assembly.
Is there such a thing as a foreign-made Swiss watch?
A watch that has been manufactured abroad but contains Swiss components may carry a mark to this effect. However, any exaggeration of the degree of Swiss involvement is strictly prohibited. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry sees to it that watches which are put on sale do not flout this rule.
Campaign: Fake Watches are for Fake People (in new window)
Campaign: Fake Watches are for Fake People
Fake watches are for fake people
According to estimates by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (fine watchmaking foundation), 40 million fake Swiss watches are manufactured and sold ever year. Counterfeited goods like these damage not only the Swiss watch market but also the good reputation of the Swiss watch industry as a whole. The FH and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry are locked in a ruthless ongoing battle against the counterfeiters. In addition to legal action, they launched the anti-counterfeiting Fake Watches are for Fake People campaign in 2009.
Fairs
At the start of every year Switzerland holds two major international exhibitions where it can showcase its watchmaking expertise:
"BASELWORLD" is the most important international watch and jewellery fair. Over 100,000 visitors from the industry travel from every continent to Basle to view the latest creations. The fair has more than 2,000 exhibitors, including all of Switzerlands major watchmakers.
Geneva hosts a more exclusive affair, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), or International Salon for Prestige Watchmaking, to which only professional guests of the exhibiting brands are invited. The show is regarded as one of the major events in the Geneva calendar, second only to the Motor Show. Visitors can discover the latest innovations in the world of fine watchmaking. Many of the timepieces on show are one-offs or limited editions.
Accurate Watches were first launched in 1989 in Bienne, Switzerland. The mantra of the company was to produce high quality Swiss made watches that would be affordable for retail customers. Accurate wanted to change the stigma that Swiss-made watches were expensive.
Accurate s decision signified a change in the history of watch manufacturing in Switzerland. For the first time, superb craftsmanship was affordable for more people than ever. Since the first Accurate watch collection was introduced, the commitment to high quality and affordability has earned the company global recognition. In just a decade of production Accurate has sold over 2.5 million timepieces.
The latest collection, The Opera, includes Accurate Watches first ever watch made of natural jade, zirconium and stainless steel. Available in a bracelet or casebook, Accurate has merged technology with natural jade carving skill. The natural jade is believed to radiate bio-energies including infrared and antibacterial rays and negative ions.
The quartz crystal and battery combination of the quartz watch is basic, but there is some variation in the watchmaking industry. Swiss quartz movement combines the movement with the chassis and jewels of a mechanical watch to form the most accurate and most durable quartz watches. A few quartz watches have solar-powered rechargeable batteries. Some quartz movements feature a kinetic system, similar to those in automatic watches, in which a rotor produces the electrical current that powers the watch.
The greatest advantage of the quartz watch, other than its relative affordability, is the fact that the movement needs no winding to keep it working. Quartz movement watches also require fewer time adjustments and less maintenance than mechanical watches. The gears of a quartz watch rarely, if ever, need lubricating.
Watch movement origins
Swiss watch
Most watch movements are designed and manufactured in Switzerland or Japan. Traditionally, Swiss watchmakers set the standard for quality, especially for mechanical movements; however, since the 1980s, Japanese-made movements have caught up to the Swiss in quality. Chinese-made movements also have increased in quality in recent years. Watch manufacturers label the origin of the movement with a stamp on the watch case and, sometimes, on the dial. Here is a brief explanation of the terminology:
* Swiss movement: Watch movements have many parts to be assembled into one workable unit. "Swiss movement" means that over 50 percent of the completed movement was assembled in a Swiss factory from Swiss-manufactured parts. This is true of mechanical, automatic and quartz movements. The case stamps that identify the Swiss movement use various terms including Swiss quartz, Swiss automatic or Swiss auto, and, simply, Swiss.
This definition also applies to movements originating in countries other than Switzerland. For example, a watch with Japanese movement usually will have a stamp of "Japanese."
* Swiss-made: A Swiss-made movement must have Swiss parts, be assembled in Switzerland, and then be placed in the case in a Swiss factory. The case itself does not need to be manufactured in Switzerland, although most high-end watches feature Swiss-made cases.
Always a force for technical innovation in traditional luxury watchmaking, Swiss manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre proves a point at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva with the automatic Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2.
Like its predecessor the Extreme LAB three years ago, this watch pushes horological boundaries in service to extreme environments and tribute to the Le Sentier-based manufactures 1958 Chronomètre Geophysic.
Take a moment to study the dial-side picture and take in the universe of timekeeping on display, all in the limited space afforded by a 46.8mm diameter wristwatch dial (specifications on the actual display area are not available).
Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 2
Briefly, the functions are as follows, according to the press release: hours, minutes, small seconds, date, second-time zone hand and counter, chronograph with large minute counter, manual stop second, functions selector (three-position indicator: winding, date and dual time zone adjustment, time-setting), amagnetic silicon escapement. The silicon escapement applies to Calibre 781 only. This model also features Calibre 780, which is identical in almost every other way.
Whats displayed are the hours, minutes, small seconds (as movement functioning indicator), sweep chronograph hand, date, function selector (this is a one-crown operation proposition), digital chronograph minutes, chronograph hours, second time zone (24-hour scale) and power reserve (60 hours).
Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 3
I think you may want to re-consider, your choice... |
Mechanical Swiss watches are not the most accurate in the world. They are not even close in terms of accuracy to a much cheaper quartz movement.
The same holds true in this environment.
Mark |
The Wal-Mart, and K-Mart,level of "quality",
of the electronics, from Malaysia?
The "cheap" computers sold on TV, from Malaysia?
If a person said your life "depends" on your ability,
to stay "on time"; You are offered a watch from Malaysia,
or a Swiss watch, which do you pick?
Swiss watches are known to be the most accurate in the world.
But All the press, this Sony 5400ES has prompted, perhaps
Malaysia is showing they can do better.
Only time will tell.
Sorry, my intention is not to bash Malaysia.
The point was Sony made their "Best" Products in Japan.
Look at The Vintage Knob, at All the Best in Audio from
ALL, from Japan.
Accuphase for one. One of the finest built pieces in Audio.
Yes, we are all different. Different customs, different foods, different mannerisms, different languages, but not so different that we cannot get along with one another. If we will disagree without being disagreeable.
Peace To You!
I LOVE MY MUSIC! |
Bjpd57al
i am a malaysian
what makes u think cheap labor equal to cheap/low quality product? how do you define "cheap" if you remove the exchange rate out of the equation?
wps |
You see, my players, I got before Sony 5400 came out. To get good sound you had to pay maybe $5200 (Sim Eclipse) or $3500 Linn Ikemi (back in 2002) I believe. If a CD player that is reasonably priced ($1500) "hooks" you with a great midrange, then you like it. I have not compared it with Cambridge 840 which I heard is great at $1700. I already have expensive players (Sim Eclipse and Sim Andromeda) so its too late for me to buy more.
If I were in market today to replace my previously good player up to 2002, Linn Karik Numerik, then the 5400 could have made sense.
Its also amazing how a power conditioner (RSA Dimitri) changes everything about sound (in my system) with my current players (have not heard it with 5400)
Bill |
Any thoughts on the Lexicon R/T20? |
I forgot,
Metralla...Just curious, how does your Sony SCD-XA777ES modded player compare to the 5400ES?
I know the build quality, is far better on the older 777ES.
At $925 the 5400ES, is priced where many XA-7ES players
are still going for.
The older Sony models like the SCD-1 still can be had for
$1700 is the lowest I have seen.But often still at $2k or more, for the really clean units.
If the 5400ES is so good, I would expect the price to
reflect that fact, it obviously does not, at $925.
So how can it be seriously considered comparable to a $10K
SACD player?
That is just one thought I had.
I LOVE MY MUSIC! |
Cerebellum - Function:
Again for the mentally challenged...(that's me!)
It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: Be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about universe. ~Albert Einstein
Again so Sorry, I meant Malaysia, and Taiwan came out,now 100% Disabled since being t-boned,in a major car accident, I sustained some brain damage,that affects my short term memory, and other stuff.
I do the Best I can.
How is it, the main Point, managed to go right "over"
your head?
Is Malaysia known for it's advancement in technology? NO!
Neither is Taiwan, so it really makes NO difference,
since both countries, are used only for there very "cheap" labor.
Like I said, I do NOT own the 5400ES, get over it.
Next time, try making a point worthy of discussion.
I LOVE MY MUSIC!
|
Bjpd57a1
I believe that you have very sensitive ears since your eyes can't even tell Malaysia from Taiwan. |
Who said I "abuse Capital" letters? You?
No shouting here, just excitement.
Typical attitude, be "afraid" of that which is "different"
Because my set-up, is similar to that of a "Live Performance"
I simply have sound delivered, to each angle in the listening
room, just like at the "Movies" and the sound comes from
"All around", I simply brought "Home", this same technology.
How does that, limit my "abilities" to "evaluate"?
Because I can think outside of the box?
You have No idea, what I have done, until you come over,
and have a listen.
Bottom Line: My System is set-up for "My" enjoyment.
I care Not what You, or anyone else thinks, about what
they have NOT even heard!
I try to avoid "Judging", that is Not for me to decide.
It would be boring, if we ALL had the very same set-up,
with the same "Results!"
Only when we "try" new things, do we open up a whole
new world, of listening pleasure.
The fact that 2 speakers, fails to satisfy my listening
needs, points to the fact that, I am used to hearing music,
"as it was played", and so I obviously enjoy hearing it,
the very same way.
Sound-Stage, Imaging, believe me, I have spent over 30 years
trying to effectively bring the same "Studio" Quality,
sound home.
IMHO, with Great Success, I must say.
Why so petty over something like the use of capital letters?
This is about the Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD player, and how I
feel it is Not a player to be considered "Best under $10k?"
IMHO, that is.
Winoguy, You know what?
I LOVE MY MUSIC! |
Bjpd57, why do you find it necessary to abuse capitol letters? We LOVE our music TOO , but we don't SHOUT about it. Lighten UP! Also , I would be suspect of your ability to critically evaluate a source product given your rather unorthodox setup, i.e. 18 speakers, several subwoofers, at least 4 amps, all arranged in some sort of surround configuration? How can you evaluate soundstageing, imaging etc. with that type of deployment? Just wondering... and by the way, I LOVE MY MUSIC TOO.... Peace |
You're a funny guy. You sidestepped your error nicely.
Regards, |
Not Japan, where Sony's BEST! Is ALL made!PERIOD!
Malaysia? Taiwan? Macedonia? All I know is Sony
was NOT serious at ALL about this LAST Line,
otherwise, it too would bear the badge from JAPAN!
I just won't pay $1500 for ANYTHING from Malaysia!
That is why it is the LAST of the SONY SACD players.
Like German, and Swiss, products are generally made Superior,to most similar other products.
Open up the 5400ES, and then look inside a Marantz SA11-S2
No Passion in Malaysia, just cheap labor.
My Sony XA7ES inside, is what Passion produces.
That is why it is still regarded as one of the BEST
RedBook Players of ALL time, by many.
Sony had to finish this last line, so they just did it as
cheaply as possible.
Yes, it is a decent sounding player, NO, I won't buy one.
Oh, and my eyes, they are 20-15 so I am Blessed with great
vision, as well as great hearing.
It is funny, for years Sony was considered "The Black Sheep"
in Audio, and now, at the climax of the ES line, there seems
to be more Praise over this player, than ALL the Sony's
combined!
I know the Sony people, are probably laughing so hard, they
are hurting themselves!
Made in Malaysia! Yeah, I am ALL over that! NOT!
I LOVE MY MUSIC! |
03-13-10: Bjpd57a1 writes: The new Taiwan made 5400ES as a SACD player is only slightly better IMHO I hope your ears are better than your eyes. Mine says "Made in Malaysia" on the back. Our views on the performance of this unit clearly differ. Regards, |
Another cd player that's not even close to a player that 10 times as expensive...what a revelation! |
I tried it for 3 weeks. Not even close to Simaudio Eclipse and Andromeda. Yes its good at SACD. But even Andromeda CD greatly outperforms 5400 SACD (body and weight).
That being said, 5400 is still a great buy. And it is satisfying. But it seems to do well in midrange. I have not tried the Marantz 11s2. I did try the Marantz 11s1, I liked that pretty well.
Thanks
Bill |
Oh please!
Not even Best at $2K!
I own a Sony XA7ES with the Benchmark Dac-1 it is Awesome!
Redbook obviously is what I am talking about.
The new Taiwan made 5400ES as a SACD player is only slightly better IMHO,
now, my Marantz SA11-S2 with the Level 2 Underwood Mods.
will be a candidate for the Best SACD under $10K!
But don't take my word for it, Listen for Yourself!
ALL this Sony hype for their LAST player, is pathetic.
Even if it was, a Super player, and it is NOT, so what?
They are being sold for $995 and less, used, so they
must NOT be that good.
I LOVE MY MUSIC! |
this may have been discussed before, but does this player have true balanced outputs, or balanced outputs that just convert to single ended on the inside of the chassis? |
