Sony XA5400ES vsCambridge Audio 840C???


I have seen these two players compared to other high end players in the threads,... but never to each other. Is there a clear winner in sound quality, or is it too close to call?? (NOTE: The 840C has been discontinued in favor of the 851C. Not sure if the Sony 5400 has been discontinued in favor of a new model) All comments welcomed. Thanks, Jim
sunnyjim
"Plus, with the sony you can go the ModWright route, which takes the Sony to a completely different level."

Key word is "different".
I own the Cambridge Audio and consider it my back-up for my Ayre. I recently bought a PS Audio Premiere Power Plant and it has made a remarkable improvement in the Chambridge as well as my VPI Classic. That being said, I love the higher resolution from SACD and so I would go Sony, too.
To me, it's not that it's too close to call, but rather the players are different enough that it comes down to persoanl preference/system/room. Though both seem to arouse strong negative and positive opinions, maybe because both received some extremely positive reviews. And Mapleshade will mod the Cambridge, so other options there too, for a Different sound.
The stock Sony 5400 beat out an Audio Research CD8 ($8000) when I compared them at length.

I own the 5400 and have absolutely no regrets.