dbphd
thanks! for sharing. PM sent. Hope you are well and enjoying good music today. Happy Listening! |
I have two Sony XA5400ES players sitting in boxes, because I found the sound with the Ayre C-5xeMP to be superior. But I've never heard a pre minimum-phase (MP) Ayre. Always planned to sell the Sonys, but never got around to it. It's on my to-do list. I rarely spin discs anymore since Roon.
db
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Kinda...wish it would have been more reliable !
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dave_b
do you miss your Krell spinner? Happy Listening!
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Not an issue with the units I’ve owned, but I did find a replacement spinner that has made me very happy since! I purchased a Yamaha CD-S2100 and have found it to be exceptional and reliable. It does have a quite robust transport mechanism which is definitely light years beyond the Sony. For $2999 it is a heavyweight player with accurate tonality and clean extension with terrific soundstaging. FWIW
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Anyone who has a xa5400es put in a cd press play then pause straight away ...try this with a few cds... listen to how loud the vibration is of the disc spinning..post your results please |
Talk2me,
How would you describe the differences between the two?
Thanks,
Wig |
I had a ModWright Oppo 105, and the new Elyse DAC blows it away. |
Old thread but I listened to my Modwright 5400 this weekend. Compared to my Spiral Groove + Goldfinger Statement / AMG v12 + Benz LP-S into ARC Ref 2se....the Modwright held its own. Not as much detail as the Chord Hugo or the Goldfinger Statement, but very musical -- a twin sound sibling to the AMG v12 table with Benz LP-S cartridge. A hint of warmth, and very organic natural harmonics. The Modwright is still my favorite disc spinner. |
Hes back and currently selling on this site as rick_owens
http://app.audiogon.com/listings?seller_id=337258&show_media=true |
Current audiogon ad by modwright stating it is their best digital offering. For price of a good interconnect they do a mod that is out of this workd good!
ModWright Sony XA-5400ES Truth Mods
Our best digital offering, period! Also the best and last CD/SACD player that Sony will produce! THIS AD IS FOR A MODIFICATION ONLY. CUSTOMER MUST SUPPLY SONY XA-5400ES PLAYER. 120V OR 220V PLAYERS MAY BOTH BE MODIFIED. Price: $1995 (modification only). Customer Feedback: "Big, open, spacious soundstage. Exceptional layering front to back with palpable images(I mean... |
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Just heard from Modwright. Newer units do take the 1.5 amp fuse in the power supply so you are good, Wig. Sorry for any confusion. |
Mine can with a 1.5 mal should I replace it with a 3 mal? |
Dan at Modwright had his exceptional tech look into an actual unit today. Inside the 5400 transport there are two T800mal fuses. So those are in fact slow blow. Also, the power supply to the modwright 5400 unit has a mismarking on the back. It is not a 1amp fuse, per Dan the Sony 5400 Modwright power supply takes a 3 amp slow blow fuse, which is what I placed in there. This is why I love buying American hi-fi brands. The actual owners are responsive and hands on. |
I use Hi-Fi supreme fuses with great success in all of my components... |
Rhyno, I just put one of the new Audio Magic Liquid Air Fuses in my PS for the MW 5400 about 2 weeks ago. It did not make a huge difference over the stock fuse in my estimation. It seemed to impart a bit of an improvement in dynamics, but did not make a huge difference. I got more bang out of replacing the stock fuses in my Cary 500 MB amps and in my Magnepan 3.7's than I did on the power supply for the ModWright. I have yet to replace the stock fuses in the player, but I do plan on doing that at some point. |
Yep; the 5400ES is 2 T800 and the power supply is a 1.5/6 mal slow blow as well. |
so has anyone put an upgraded fuse in the PS of the MW 5400?
i will say putting the transport on a separate dedicated line was a big winner for me...(i have 4 dedicated lines). unit loves to be isolated. |
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. |
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 have stickers labeled on my circuit board showing T800 mal 250v fuses. |
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. |
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
Thanks for the +1 on the Thor preamp a while back. It is a keeper. |
I confirmed with Modwright ...pair of 800ma 5X 20 (smaller size) in the Sony player |
The Sony SCD-XA5400ES uses 2 small slow blow 800ma fuses. |
Small or large Fuses for the 5400?? |
Mcpherson,
That's correct(2)800ma slow blow with arrows pointing toward the front of the unit. |
Wig
Are the fuse upgrades something that can be done to the stock 5400? If so is it (2) 0.8amp fuses?
Thanks Jayson |
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
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. |
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. |
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 |
wig
Sounds like you got a little stirred up! |
"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. :) |
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?
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. |
Fc911c email me at jwmiller48329@yahoo.com |
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. |
"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. |
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. :) |
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. |
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
I was wondering if anyone found the Bass on the SCD-5400ES a little bloated with a slight roll off on the highs? |
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. |
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! |
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. |
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. |
