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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
jwm
918 posts
 
Fc911c email me at jwmiller48329@yahoo.com
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
It is no better than any other player. Just hyped more. I think it's 15 minutes of fame, is about up.
mcpherson
174 posts
 
Did your conclusion come from comparison or are you just tired of hearing about it?
I am asking this because I think you made a similar comment when I was shopping for a cd player last year. I gotta say the 5400 made a sutle difference for me... but my preamp made a HUGE difference.
So based on your strong opinion...if you had a 5400, would you upgrade it or would the $ be spent on a different player?
wig's avatar
wig
1,239 posts
 
It is no better than any other player. Just hyped more. I think it's 15 minutes of fame, is about up.

From my experience the MW Sony 5400 spanked every player and dac to include the one listed below and ranked:

5 Rega Apollo
4 Bryston BDA-1 Dac
3 Ayon CD2
2 EE Mini Dac
1 Berkeley Alpha Dac
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
"Did your conclusion come from comparison or are you just tired of hearing about it?"

First of all, this player retailed for $1,500 and the OP asked if it was the best player under $10,000!! Really?? What does that say about all the high end stuff between those price points? And it seems as if everyone who bought the Sony, immediately had it modded! If it's such a great player, why the modifications? No, I am not tired of hearing about it. Everyone has a right to post as they see fit.

When the Sony hype was at it's peak, I was in the market for a SACD player. The Sony was almost impossible to find new, so I got the Onkyo C-S5VL instead for $369. I have no regrets, but if I could have found a 5400 from Sony or another online dealer at that time, I would have bought it. I'm glad I didn't find one. You said you heard a subtle difference when you got the 5400, I cannot say I hear the differences between CD players. And they do seem to have a bad habit of just failing. My Marantz failed after 8 years, paid 300 for it. If I had paid thousands, I would be one unhappy camper. If I spend big monmey on anything, it will be speakers. I just don't think there is, nor do I hear, a big differenc between the other electronic stuff. So to answer your question, If I had a 5400, I would be happy with it, and with my electronics, and start saving for speakers! I realize there are people who possess much better hearing than I do.

I currently have a Marantz SA 8001 and the Onkyo C-S5VL and a Marantz CD 5004. Don't ask.

BTW, you can remember what I said from a year ago? I will have to start being more careful. :)
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