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Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player

Category: Digital

I love natural recordings that capture the full acoustic envelope of the performances. The Shostakovich Sonatas performed by Ax and YYMa comes to mind...the Sony portrays the entire event in such an unforced and natural manner that it triggers ones acoustic memory into believing it is real. A player that offers no tone color or openness would be my worst nightmare. I replaced my BAT VK D5 24 bit CDP and was amazed at how much resolution and color was lost on the older design. The Sony re-creates the space, music and acoustic tones with overtones so completely that you start to smile and realize that you have been given a great gift...a peak into the performance as it occured at the recording session. My opinion of the Sony applies as much for the redbook section as it does for the SACD section. This player will become a classic product for digital playback....much better it does not get! It's a keeper at any price,,,for $1500 USD it is a freakin steal. This is Sony's best effort to date and manages to break new ground in the digital domain:)

Associated gear
Wilson Sophia speakers
Krell 400xi amp
Harmonic Tech Cables
MIT Oracle AC 2 power cord

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ARC CD 3
128x128dave_b
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I'll check it out...the SP1000 comes with pro velcro straps for securing and rolling extra lengths neatly behind the gear.
Post removed 
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Proline Velcro...says so right on the strap so it must be true. Right? Ohmy God, I've been duped...crap, I hate that:O( HeeHee! Anyway, the reason I love it is because it just smokes the best I've heard. Crushing dynamics, warmth and a huge open soundstaging.
tube_guy's avatar
tube_guy
13 posts
 
Hi Dave!

Do you think the RCA version of the Monster Cable SP1000 have the same great characteristics you described for the XLR's version?

Regards,
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I'm not sure an RCA version exists for the SP1000 cable. I did have an RCA version of the Monster Audiophile Cable Z200i which I was told by Monster was the same cable as the SP1000, just priced higher for us audiofools:O) The Z200i has been discontinued due to lack of sales and product confusion for Monster, even though it was their best sounding cable ever. So, that said, the RCA version of the SP1000 clone (Z200i) was very much in the same camp as far as performance. The XLR version has a slightly lower noise floor and more of a sense of ultimate power and slam, but almost identical otherwise.
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