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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
mcpherson
174 posts
 
Fc
The bass in my system became very bloated,bland,muddy...cant think of any other words; when I upgraded to the 5400 from an old multidisc changer that I was using "digital out"
Anyway I recently replaced a receiver with a good preamp and the whole sound of system changed including the bass.
More defined and punch..
I think it is tough sometimes to attribute sound to a particular component unless you are talking about A/B comparison.
What is the rest of your system?
fc911c's avatar
fc911c
44 posts
 
Hi Mcpherson

Cd is connected to an Emotiva Usp-1, to the linkwitz EQ/XO for the Orions speakers and from the eq/xo to two Outlaw 7125 amps. One amp driving each speaker using four of the seven channels.

VPI Scoutmaster II TT w/ Dyna DV20X2, my pc feeding a small home made Bantam dac which sounds fantastic. Very weird I think it cost about $70.00 in parts and it sounds as good if not better than the sony.

Cables used are Blue Jeans, AA Black Mamba II.

I know what you are saying I have changed one component in the chain and it sounded completely differant.
mcpherson
174 posts
 
Yep.
I was...well I am shocked at the difference the Thor ta1000 linestage made in my system.
I bought the 5400 with intentions of having the Modwright upgrades done in the future.
My next step is to try some different tubes and see where that gets me.
Gotta say I am enjoying music again more than obsessing over the sound. :)
fc911c's avatar
fc911c
44 posts
 
"Gotta say I am enjoying music again more than obsessing over the sound". :)

Yes isnt that a great feeling. That's how I feel when listen to that Dac. I guess I will figure it out.
blueskiespbd's avatar
blueskiespbd
161 posts
 
I have been enjoying the Sony 5400 for almost 2yrs now mated to a Sonic Frontiers tubed pre. Recently I have been using the Herbies super Black hole. T o my ears this is a great improvement in soundstage and ease of listening...I still want to try the Modwright upgrades.
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