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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
metralla
945 posts
 
I was recently at Vacuum State Electronics in Switzerland and listened to the VSE modified 5400 with the Terra Firma Lite clock. Included in the listening session was a comparison between the 5400 and the VSE Level 7 SCD-777ES with the Terra Firma Uber clock. I was very impressed.

If you don't mind following a link, I posted a review on Audio Asylum.

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/26/260611.html

Regards,
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
The setup at VSE looks a little disturbing to me:O<> Talk about narrow rooms and the speakers looked close to the front wall. Power cords can address alot of issues that maybe Allen's trying to compensate for in his mods...not to ention his use of silver IC's! Don't think I'd chance the mod myselfO:)
metralla
945 posts
 
Dave_b,

The speakers are very close to the side walls - is that what you meant to write? In fact, they are right on them. I thought when I first saw them that they would not work well. But they do. The room is not that narrow - perhaps the picture is slightly misleading.

Regards,
crimhead
11 posts
 
hi everyone. this sony seems a very capable player. my question is: concerning only the RB performance, in what "leage" would you put this player among the only RB players? can it compete with MF A1CD pro or esposure 3010 or primare c30 or Quad cdp-2 or naim cd5x or rega saturn? (just to give you an idea...)
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
Crimhead, yes, yes, yes, yes and most definately yes! In some aspects it is competitive with several over $5k players. Deep controlled textured bass, full warm mids and extended grain free natural sounding highs. Transparency is exceptional and dynamic contrast is superb. Tonality (pitch) is dead on accurate.
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