I use a pair of Jenna Labs Symphony for me they get the tone better than others that I have tried. |
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. |
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. |
Dfk0
I am using the HT magic cables with the Modwright version. They sound just fine in this combination. |
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 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. |
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. |
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. |
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! |
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! |
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.) |
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. |
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. |
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? |
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 |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Mitch2...Hi-rez streaming will never surpass the best of what SACD has to offer. The disadvantage of DS devices is that you do not have the variable choice of the best world class SACD players that sell for over $ 30K that will give you the very warm, rich, smooth, analog character. I have listen to DS from online source's, too cold for my taste even though the sound is very dynamic, very low noise and very clean. Also, the new SHM-SACD single layer disc format has taken SACD to a whole new performance level which will be extremely hard to beat by any other format including DS streaming. Two of the finest sounding SACD players on the market that will smoke DS is the Accuphase DP-700 and the Luxman D-08. Play SHM single layer disc on these players and you will forget about DS. |
Anybody here compared the Modwright Sony to the VSE Sony?
Comments? Is it simply tubes vs no tubes? I'm considering the
VSE mod on a Yamaha CD-S2000 to go along w/my Modwright
Transporter. Just looking for a more neutral source, single box,
front end to 'flavor' my system. Both mods cost the same, so I
was wondering what the net effect was of each & it seems that
the Sony is the player w/the most chance of being heard in each
configuration. Thanx. |
Guys,
Had my MW 5400 modded with Bybee Musicrails and Audio Magic Gen ZX and the sound is "UNBELIEVABLE"! You can litterly walk into the soundstage and touch the performers, you get the musicians are in your room type of feeling. More to follow but if you don't have this upgrade I recommend you consider this. I rate this upgrade over any tweaks or component changes I have ever conducted. You will be blown away! |
I have the Bybee upgrade and it is good. But if you want an incredable upgrade, address you ac with balanced conditioning. The soundstage just keeps getting bigger and bigger. |
Hi
I was wondering if anyone found the Bass on the SCD-5400ES a little bloated with a slight roll off on the highs? |
Fc
The bass in my system became very bloated,bland,muddy...cant think of any other words; when I upgraded to the 5400 from an old multidisc changer that I was using "digital out"
Anyway I recently replaced a receiver with a good preamp and the whole sound of system changed including the bass.
More defined and punch..
I think it is tough sometimes to attribute sound to a particular component unless you are talking about A/B comparison.
What is the rest of your system? |
Hi Mcpherson
Cd is connected to an Emotiva Usp-1, to the linkwitz EQ/XO for the Orions speakers and from the eq/xo to two Outlaw 7125 amps. One amp driving each speaker using four of the seven channels.
VPI Scoutmaster II TT w/ Dyna DV20X2, my pc feeding a small home made Bantam dac which sounds fantastic. Very weird I think it cost about $70.00 in parts and it sounds as good if not better than the sony.
Cables used are Blue Jeans, AA Black Mamba II.
I know what you are saying I have changed one component in the chain and it sounded completely differant. |
Yep.
I was...well I am shocked at the difference the Thor ta1000 linestage made in my system.
I bought the 5400 with intentions of having the Modwright upgrades done in the future.
My next step is to try some different tubes and see where that gets me.
Gotta say I am enjoying music again more than obsessing over the sound. :) |
"Gotta say I am enjoying music again more than obsessing over the sound". :)
Yes isnt that a great feeling. That's how I feel when listen to that Dac. I guess I will figure it out. |
I have been enjoying the Sony 5400 for almost 2yrs now mated to a Sonic Frontiers tubed pre. Recently I have been using the Herbies super Black hole. T o my ears this is a great improvement in soundstage and ease of listening...I still want to try the Modwright upgrades. |
Fc911c email me at jwmiller48329@yahoo.com |
It is no better than any other player. Just hyped more. I think it's 15 minutes of fame, is about up. |
Did your conclusion come from comparison or are you just tired of hearing about it?
I am asking this because I think you made a similar comment when I was shopping for a cd player last year. I gotta say the 5400 made a sutle difference for me... but my preamp made a HUGE difference.
So based on your strong opinion...if you had a 5400, would you upgrade it or would the $ be spent on a different player? |
It is no better than any other player. Just hyped more. I think it's 15 minutes of fame, is about up.
From my experience the MW Sony 5400 spanked every player and dac to include the one listed below and ranked:
5 Rega Apollo
4 Bryston BDA-1 Dac
3 Ayon CD2
2 EE Mini Dac
1 Berkeley Alpha Dac |
"Did your conclusion come from comparison or are you just tired of hearing about it?"
First of all, this player retailed for $1,500 and the OP asked if it was the best player under $10,000!! Really?? What does that say about all the high end stuff between those price points? And it seems as if everyone who bought the Sony, immediately had it modded! If it's such a great player, why the modifications? No, I am not tired of hearing about it. Everyone has a right to post as they see fit.
When the Sony hype was at it's peak, I was in the market for a SACD player. The Sony was almost impossible to find new, so I got the Onkyo C-S5VL instead for $369. I have no regrets, but if I could have found a 5400 from Sony or another online dealer at that time, I would have bought it. I'm glad I didn't find one. You said you heard a subtle difference when you got the 5400, I cannot say I hear the differences between CD players. And they do seem to have a bad habit of just failing. My Marantz failed after 8 years, paid 300 for it. If I had paid thousands, I would be one unhappy camper. If I spend big monmey on anything, it will be speakers. I just don't think there is, nor do I hear, a big differenc between the other electronic stuff. So to answer your question, If I had a 5400, I would be happy with it, and with my electronics, and start saving for speakers! I realize there are people who possess much better hearing than I do.
I currently have a Marantz SA 8001 and the Onkyo C-S5VL and a Marantz CD 5004. Don't ask.
BTW, you can remember what I said from a year ago? I will have to start being more careful. :) |
wig
Sounds like you got a little stirred up! |
Not stirred at all, just wanted to give my opinion on the players I have used within the last year.
I am enjoying music too without obsessing ;o)
Wig |
Blueskiespbd
I also like using the super black hole with my Sony 5400. I would highly recommend putting the HiFi Tuning supreme fuses in your Sony... and preamp for that matter. I first put 2 0.8 amp slow blow small fuses in the Sony ( big improvement ) and after 4 weeks decided to get one for my int. amp now after another 5 weeks I cannot believe how wonderful even a regular CD sounds like. These fuses do need at least 80 hours of play-time to breakin. Note, I also put Xtreme cables quicksilver gold on the ends of the fuses and this also is said take 3 weeks to break in at about 80% level.I have no doubt that the quicksilver gold is enhancing the fuses effect. I had also put an Audio Prism Ground Control ( RCA) on the Sony and it was very worthwhile teak, but not on the order of improvement as the fuses and at higher cost. |
Wig
I don't think I saw where you reported back to us on how you liked your HiFi Tuning Supreme fuses on your Modwright Sony. |
I knew I was missing something. No doubt the the Supreme fuse makes a difference. I find that they sound better with the arrows in the player pointing toward the front of the player and the arrow pointing toward the back of the power supply.
They are worth the cost and sound very open, organic with improved extension and mid-bass. |
Wig
Are the fuse upgrades something that can be done to the stock 5400? If so is it (2) 0.8amp fuses?
Thanks Jayson |
Mcpherson,
That's correct(2)800ma slow blow with arrows pointing toward the front of the unit. |
Small or large Fuses for the 5400?? |
The Sony SCD-XA5400ES uses 2 small slow blow 800ma fuses. |
I confirmed with Modwright ...pair of 800ma 5X 20 (smaller size) in the Sony player |
Podeschi
Thanks for the +1 on the Thor preamp a while back. It is a keeper. |
Wig,
How could you tell that they are slow-blow? Modwright (always helpful and responsive) confirmed they are 800ma 5x20 but couldn't tell if they were fast or slow blow. They were thinking fast blow but weren't sure. |
Podeschi,
Have you removed the existing fuse on the Modwright? If it has a F on the label it is a fast-blow fuse, if it has a T or S on it is a slow-blow. It may also be imprinted on the fuse housing. If it doesn't have a marking, and the fuse filament within is a thin wire it is a fast-blow fuse. If you see a thick wire that may have a small spring on one end it is a slow-blow fuse. |
I have stickers labeled on my circuit board showing T800 mal 250v fuses. |
I haven't opened up my 5400 case yet. Dan at Modwright said he is going to have one of his techs open one up and look. I will report back. |
I also asked Dan about this a while ago. He offered guidance on the fuse for the power supply but did not know the proper fuse value for the player per se. I also have not yet removed the cover to see for myself, but I will eventually want to replace the fuses with the new audio magic liquid air fuses. Good of Dan to have someone look into this.
It seems unusual for a front end unit to use slow-blow fuses. |
