Sony XA5400ES vs XA9000ES

DP your post basically was insulting and you came across as arrogant and flippant or at least it appeared that way so I was a bit "jangled".

In my previous posts about the 9000 I assumed that most of the posters knew I was talking about the SCD-XA9000ES and not any other form or model of the 9000. Only when Gandme mentioned any confusion after one of my posts did I reply. I think we all know now which model I was referring to now..lol :)

The SCD-XA9000ES sounds very good on redbook but I am finding in my system (like Ozzy mentions) it does lack some depth. I quizzed Ozzy about this in some earlier posts but I have to agree with him. Overall it is a very nice player and fits into my buddies system very well but lacks in some areas in mine. The overall balance is not where I would like it. I would like to hear a 5400 one of these days and it goes to show that some equipment does not have to weigh 40 lbs or over to sound very good.

DP I forgot to mention, apology accepted :)

DBphd:

Weight has nothing to do with sound quality!

The 5400 is a more advanced and updated version of SACD than either the SCD-1 or 9000, and sounds better!

The SCD-1 has reliability problems!

I have heard all the top of the line Sony's over the last 10 years and the SCD-1 is way out of date.

I agree with Don c55's point that weight alone doesn't determine quality. I've had a dozen (literally) cdp's through my system in the last 7 years and 2 of the lightest ones had the best sound and the heavest one had the worst (in my system).

Linn Ikemi and Resolution Audio Opus 21 were the lightest but sounded the best to my ears in my system, while the heavy as a house Electrocompanient had the most unpleasantly colored sound of any player I've heard.

I'm happy with my 5400es for now. (I wish the transport was quicker though)

Don C55 & Tryeti,

Obviously you missed the sense of irony I was striving at in my posts. Of course I don't think weight is the determining factor in the sound quality of disc players, otherwise I wouldn't have a lightweight like the XA5400ES as a primary source in my main system.

I too am very happy with the 5400ES, and applaud the improved design of the disc tray that makes it so easy to place and remove discs. I'm using the analog XLR outputs because my processor has no HDMI input. I've been very impressed with the smooth yet detailed timbrel and soundstage portrayal, as well as with the extended frequency range.

db