sony xa777es vs xa5400es

This player is very supprising how good it sounds..
Well balanced w/excellent timing

Fascinating,

I own the XA777ES (10 years old now, I guess) and the XA5400ES and much prefer the newer player. Well, it's hardly new - three years old.

In my system, CD playback on the 5400 is significantly better than the 777ES; and SACD is somewhat better on the 5400. My 777ES was moved into the bedroom system when the 5400 arrived.

The build quality on the XA777ES is far superior - the machine is a tank. But for sound quality, the 5400 is my choice.

This player really takes a long time to break in and show its best.

Regards,

What exactly do you mean by "timing" in the context you're using it?

I hear xa777 locked in with the correct pace
The musical phrases connect
Maintaining cohesiveness which allows for emotion