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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
tube_guy's avatar
tube_guy
13 posts
 
Dave,

Thanks for the description of your new setup.

What do you miss from the Sony with the Modwright upgrade?
dave_b's avatar
dave_b OP
3,159 posts
 
I'm not sure really, as my time with the NAD and the Yaoin tube buffer have only been with the new setup. All I can say is that I have never been more addicted to listening as I am now. So, in my current system, I would have to say that I do not miss the Sony at all...weird!
jim_wojno
8 posts
 
I'm very happy with the Meridian G08, but would like one CDP to play both Redbook and SACD discs. What would I give up, if anything, by trading the G08 for the Sony?
Thanks,
Jim
jwm
918 posts
 
If you can afford the Meridian you can afford the Sony and have it modded by modright, only 3000.00.
tbng
1 posts
 
Perhaps one or two of you Sony XA5400ES users can help me. I've seen no review of the Sony that answers my concerns, and I can't find a unit to test. I now have an OPPO BDP95 that is a fine blu-ray and CD player but is frustrating to use, especially with SACDs. I also own a BDP83, which is a far easier unit to operate. Before I plunk down $1,500 for the Sony, I want to know it doesn't have the same issues.

I use HDMI exclusively connected to a Meridian HD621 interface.

1. When first selecting a track on the BDP95, the music starts a second or two into the track, and I have to re-start to hear the beginning of the music. Does the Sony do this?

2. When playing an SACD (not CD or DVD), if I change the TV input or switch to another input on the HD621, both the 83 and 95 go silent because the handshake was interrupted. Both regain the handshake and start playing again, but the 95 re-starts the track while the 83 picks up where it left off, behavior that OPPO says is normal in both cases. How does the Sony deal with this on SACDs?

3. I have to point the remote at the 95 virtually straight on, and I can't be more than 12 feet away. (With the 83, you only have to be somewhere in the room and pointing the remote in the 83's general direction.) How about the Sony? (OPPO has admitted this issue and corrected it on the 105, but that does me no good.)

4. To start with any other track than 1, the 95 requires that you leave the drawer open, select the track, and the press PLAY. (The 83 can't do random start at all.) How does the Sony do this?
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