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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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128x128dave_b
cypriot
2 posts
 
Many websites mention Sony's STR-DA5500ES as the ideal matching equipment to go with the SCD-XA5400ES. Is this a good idea at all for an audiophile? Would there be a significant loss by not using this player with an equipment that has H.A.T.S. technology?

Thanks
disbeliever
27 posts
 
YES the SONY XA5400ES must be used with a matching receiver incorporating H.A.T.S. technology & HDMI for absolute best results,for both RB CD & SACD
DA6400ES in US & UK & 5400ES in UK . This gives the lowest tested published jitter.
cypriot
2 posts
 
Disbeliever, thanks for the input. Any other opinions about this? Dave_b said a while ago that "Evaluations done using recievers and conventional connections will not hint at what it is capable of doing". Does that include the Sony STR-DA5500ES?

BTW I was told by my local Sony dealer that the STR-DA5500ES is discontinued, and that the STR-DA5300ES is available instead. Any ideas about the difference between these two?
disbeliever
27 posts
 
Dave B is not correct especially if you are into MCH SACD furthermore the Sony DA6400ES/5400ES have a D.L.L program that improves the sound of early RB CD's, the Sony's have an excellent phono stage stage & FM tuner used bi-amped IMO the sound is as good as it gets with speakers that are not too difficult to drive.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,197 posts
 
To Disbeliever Vaccum tubes are not just about distortion that is not correct ,for example the most sensitive medical equipment in the world and medically use Vacuum tubes uncluding your CAT scan machines why is this ?
Vacuum tubes are very stable at Voltage regulation ,
where solid state is good at currect since a cd player is very low voltage a seperate power supply is an idea filter buffer an my being totally seperate it isolates the diferent stages from any noise interaction ,and for the input stage the vacuum, tubes also help to filter the filter capacitors as well as providing a much more dimentional presentation .This is why some of the very best preamplifiers in the world are Vacuum tube .
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