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XA5400ES owners - what are you using now?

I am one of many who bought Sony's best 10 years ago, in no small part due to the huge thread here about this player. Well I am ready for a newer player now and I would like something with external DAC inputs. I am considering Yamaha CDS2100\3000, McIntosh MCD500\550, Marantz SA10 and a few Esoteric units. I want to stay with a mainstream brand for service and parts issues down the road. 

I'd love to hear what you are using now and how it compares to the 5400.
anotherjblnut

Showing 2 responses by mahler123

mahler123
3,501 posts
 
The OP didn’t mention two issues 
1) Does he listen to SACDs? Does he need Blu Ray?2) Budget 

I use my Sony as a transport into a Bryston DAC3, which accepts HDMI.  For SACD, the DSD is outputted from the Sony.  If your budget can stretch that far, then you can use the Sony as a transport.  The Bryston has 4 HDMI inputs so you can add a cheap Sony Blu Ray if you wish, or you could sell the 5400 and just the the Blu Ray as your transport for all silver discs 
  
mahler123
3,501 posts
 
I am very happy with my Bryston DAC3, which allows me to listen to the DSD layer of my SACDS, and I use the Opp 105 and the Sony as a transport for both.
I don’t know if anyone has recommended the Marantz KI SACD player but it’s in your range of budget and I believe has digital inputs.  I am not a fan of the Marantz house sound, but ymmv.  I really think however that you would best spend the money on a quality DAC or combination DAC-Transport.
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