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Sony SCD-XA5400ES-Best SACD for under $10,000

This Sony player supplanted my Ayre C5-XE 3, which I still have, months ago. I paid $6000 for the Ayre after determining that it was the best-sounding unit for under $10,000. The Sony blows it away!!!
A unit costing $1500 besting all others under $10,000? That is exactly what it does!
For reference, I am using Audio Research electronics and Vandersteen speakers and subwoofers (about $30,000); a similar system has repeatedly been lauded as "best of show" at CES, so we are NOT talking second-rate stuff here.
This Sony is the only SACD/Cd player I have EVER heard that puts a classical piano live in my living room; nothing I ever had before even comes close.
This unit is a small miracle. I would have gladly paid $8000 for it, but if they want to give the thing away for $1500, who am I to argue?
This unit is going to send the engineers at Audio Research, Luxman, Esoteric, and Ayre back to the drawing board; their current units at 4 to 5 times the price are not even close. Some engineer at Sony is a freaking genius!!!
wa6itd
bjpd57a1's avatar
bjpd57a1
96 posts
 
I forgot,

Metralla...Just curious, how does your Sony SCD-XA777ES modded player compare to the 5400ES?

I know the build quality, is far better on the older 777ES.

At $925 the 5400ES, is priced where many XA-7ES players
are still going for.

The older Sony models like the SCD-1 still can be had for
$1700 is the lowest I have seen.But often still at $2k or more, for the really clean units.

If the 5400ES is so good, I would expect the price to
reflect that fact, it obviously does not, at $925.

So how can it be seriously considered comparable to a $10K

SACD player?

That is just one thought I had.

I LOVE MY MUSIC!
dawgbyte's avatar
dawgbyte
325 posts
 
Any thoughts on the Lexicon R/T20?
billeames's avatar
billeames
36 posts
 
You see, my players, I got before Sony 5400 came out. To get good sound you had to pay maybe $5200 (Sim Eclipse) or $3500 Linn Ikemi (back in 2002) I believe. If a CD player that is reasonably priced ($1500) "hooks" you with a great midrange, then you like it. I have not compared it with Cambridge 840 which I heard is great at $1700. I already have expensive players (Sim Eclipse and Sim Andromeda) so its too late for me to buy more.

If I were in market today to replace my previously good player up to 2002, Linn Karik Numerik, then the 5400 could have made sense.

Its also amazing how a power conditioner (RSA Dimitri) changes everything about sound (in my system) with my current players (have not heard it with 5400)

Bill
junchoon2989
9 posts
 
Bjpd57al

i am a malaysian

what makes u think cheap labor equal to cheap/low quality product? how do you define "cheap" if you remove the exchange rate out of the equation?

wps
bjpd57a1's avatar
bjpd57a1
96 posts
 
The Wal-Mart, and K-Mart,level of "quality",

of the electronics, from Malaysia?

The "cheap" computers sold on TV, from Malaysia?

If a person said your life "depends" on your ability,

to stay "on time"; You are offered a watch from Malaysia,
or a Swiss watch, which do you pick?

Swiss watches are known to be the most accurate in the world.

But All the press, this Sony 5400ES has prompted, perhaps

Malaysia is showing they can do better.

Only time will tell.

Sorry, my intention is not to bash Malaysia.

The point was Sony made their "Best" Products in Japan.

Look at The Vintage Knob, at All the Best in Audio from

ALL, from Japan.

Accuphase for one. One of the finest built pieces in Audio.

“Yes, we are all different. Different customs, different foods, different mannerisms, different languages, but not so different that we cannot get along with one another. If we will disagree without being disagreeable.”

Peace To You!

I LOVE MY MUSIC!
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