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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
musicpod
192 posts
 
Mitch4t:

What's a "shill?"

Thanks.
rgd
656 posts
 
One definition is

"A shill or plant is a person who helps another person or organization to sell goods or services without disclosing that he or she has a close relationship with the seller. The shill pretends to have no association with the seller/group and gives onlookers the impression that he or she is an enthusiastic independent customer."
goose
703 posts
 
A lot of passion around this player. I have the Modwright version. Is it the best player with the mod under $10K, $20K? I don't know. Unless I can listen to players in a direct blind A/B test and switch between the two rapidly, my audio memory isn't that great. I will say that it sounds very good and betters the Sony 999ES Modwright that I had. I find it hard to justify buying anything new that is digital because of technology changes. My Modwright was used (like new) and I have upgraded the tubes, power chords and umbilical. At this point I don't have a desire change and am very satisfied with it's performance.
musicpod
192 posts
 
Thank you Rgd for your explanation of "shill."
tuffy72561
184 posts
 
I had the Ayre C5xe Universal player and added the MP upgrade to it. I had to sell due to finances. Bought the Sony SCD-XA5400ES based on Audiogoners opinions here and am happy as heck I did. I find it better in most ways than the AYRE. I have just installed Audioprism reference ground control to the Sony and what an upgrade. I'll bet this has brought me close to halfof the way of what a modwright upgrade does performance-wise. It was a very large upgrade. I have also put ground controls on my amp and speakers, and every improves the sound markedly!
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