2. digital
  3. 1278882974

Modwright Ultimate Sony xa5400 sacd -Review

I would like to say I have waited several weeks to compare my Modwright Modded player compared to my brothers stock unit .Dan runs in each unit for 48 hours and retests all circuits before shipping .Let me tell you the modded unit is some 15 lbs+ heavier the Vacuum tube power supply is built like a tank and is at least 10 lbs The supplied power cord from the power supply to the cd player is from Acoustic Zen for starters not Belden like most .
I gave it 30 minutes then played several symphony cds and a little classic rock The sence of ease and timber were excellent and this is still not even close to the 400 hours needed for full breakin
the soundstage and front to back layering is not as wide as I would like it but still it is better than the stock Sony 5400 by a country mile my brother is a little more than surprised at the difference in sound quality ,and Dan said just leave running 24-7 for a solid week then The Modwright oil impregnated caps will start to shine , also voices are very natural with very good tone this is my initial impression on day one.I will get back in one week
or at 200 hours of play time to be exact. IMO for the $2k
I spent this is a no brainer for $3k total investment nothing I have even heard is even in the ball park compared for this price.
128x128audioman58
audioman58's avatar
audioman58 OP
4,176 posts
 
In reference to Modwrights most advanced player and power supply the Sony 5400 incorporates both, also something to mention is that your standard $5k cd player has only less than a $5.00 master clock ,yes your read this correctly and jitter 30-50x as much as the $250 precision Audiocom-4
Masterclock that also has it's regulated enclosed regulation that is temperature controled for optimum operation ,Audiocom is the only Co. currently doing this .
This complements the huge 12lb seperate OTL Vacuum tube power supply for the highly sensitive analog section
It takes a long time to run in .I will be back on the weekend to give my observations on the 300 hr + breakin
on my Sony 5400.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58 OP
4,176 posts
 
My Modwright 5400 cdp now have over 300 hours on it and it took a solid 200 for it to start opening up it still has 200 more hours to be at it's best .So far the instrumental layering of instruments has improved a solid 15% deeper as well as the soundstage the unit sounds much more at ease than it did a week ago.the top end has gotton much smoother as well as the Bass getting better .Is it perfect no nothing is, but it is far better than most units I have heard and much more moneys and it still has a solid week to go and from what
have been told the refinement as well as inner detail will go to another level .I will tell as exactly as I hear it
stay tuned next weekend .
audioman58's avatar
audioman58 OP
4,176 posts
 
Hello to all I would like to make a correction the tubes
on the player end are 6sn7 Sylvania yellow label chrome domes , and Mullard steel ring 5ar4 for the power supply
which is over 10 lbs for those who would like to know specifics, also the tone of this cd player is excellent .
MY buudy has a $5k Ayon that has won a few awards
and it is not even close Dan hit this one out of the park
I have no disire to have a turntable when my player gives all the body and tonality I have been missing with my
Accustic arts 2 transport and dac that was over $13k
my Modwright Sony 5400 beats in every dept as all that have come over can attest to and it still have at least another 100 hours to finish refining.As they say what's under the hood that counts most. ONce my New amplifier comes in I would be happy to have audiophiles from the N.E
come over to hear it - Next month.
I just ordered the New KWA 100 SE amplifier and this should truly help add to the mix.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,407 posts
 
I would love to hear it in your system, kindly let us know when.

Bob
lewhite
156 posts
 
Boy what an informative! A few weeks ago I was ready to pull the trigger on a 5400 when I found out that Sony no longer makes the machine and no longer manufacture SACD parts. Who knew. Drat. My next choice was a PWT-PWD mostly for its sound, connectibility and futureproofing. A week later I made a call to Dan!
More to discover