Ayre C-5xe-mp v Sony XA5400ES

Both of these players have received A+ ratings from Stereophile. I have the Sony and wonder if the sound of SACDs played on the Ayre would be a worthwhile upgrade. Anyone have the chance to compare the sounds of the two?

db

dbphd06-02-2014 4:47pm

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dbphd OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,628 posts 06-03-2014 at 06:47pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I realize I left out a referent to he. It's John Atkinson. I'm likely to buy a used Ayre if I can find one under $3K. db
rondel Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 10 posts 06-03-2014 at 05:43pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Interesting, I Thought The Sound Of The Sony Was More Musical.No Experience With SACD Between The Two.
tarp38 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 18 posts 06-03-2014 at 07:33pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Look inside the Ayre box, and you'll find an Oppo. The Sony has had better reviews for SACD sound than the Oppo. If you like listening to a pretty and expensive box, buy the Oppo.
grannyring Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,492 posts 06-03-2014 at 10:58pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Ayre is not an Oppo. Ayre is a much better sounding player than the Sony as I have heard both in the same system. Sony is more electronic or artificial sounding.
dbphd OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,628 posts 06-04-2014 at 12:41am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I have an Oppo 105 in addition to the Sony XA5400ES, Tarp38. Both are connected via analog to a Parasound JC-2 that feeds Proceed HPA amps that drive a pair of KEF Reference 107/2s. The surround channels of the Oppo go directly to the amps. db

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