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Sony XA5400ES vsCambridge Audio 840C???

I have seen these two players compared to other high end players in the threads,... but never to each other. Is there a clear winner in sound quality, or is it too close to call?? (NOTE: The 840C has been discontinued in favor of the 851C. Not sure if the Sony 5400 has been discontinued in favor of a new model) All comments welcomed. Thanks, Jim
sunnyjim
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
I owned both players. I sold the Cambridge and kept the Sony. The 840C was good but a little to bright in my system, plus the Sony offers SACD, which is substantially better than redbook on either player. Plus, with the sony you can go the ModWright route, which takes the Sony to a completely different level. The Sony will be the winner in most peoples systems.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
"Plus, with the sony you can go the ModWright route, which takes the Sony to a completely different level."

Key word is "different".
fingerpaws
51 posts
 
I own the Cambridge Audio and consider it my back-up for my Ayre. I recently bought a PS Audio Premiere Power Plant and it has made a remarkable improvement in the Chambridge as well as my VPI Classic. That being said, I love the higher resolution from SACD and so I would go Sony, too.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Sony has a much better warranty and its service is way ahead of Cambridge.
jl35
3,941 posts
 
To me, it's not that it's too close to call, but rather the players are different enough that it comes down to persoanl preference/system/room. Though both seem to arouse strong negative and positive opinions, maybe because both received some extremely positive reviews. And Mapleshade will mod the Cambridge, so other options there too, for a Different sound.
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