Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.
02-13-09
Interesting, would you rate it significantly better tha ... Steelhead
02-13-09
Interested in knowing why you only compared it's cd sec ... Schipo
02-13-09
Steelhead, the sony scd-xa5400es was just another exper ... Dave_b
02-13-09
Details, details, details. are you using hdmi outputs ... Buconero117
02-13-09
Rca sounds best, compared to the balanced outputs...don ... Dave_b
02-17-09
As the player has broken in it has really blossomed; s ... Dave_b
02-23-09
The xa5400es is superior to the oppo 980h for multi-cha ... Disbeliever
02-23-09
Disbeliever, i agree the sony takes a long time to sett ... Dave_b
02-27-09
Dave, i have been using a sony scd-xa777es for sever ... Bobup1998
02-27-09
Cleaner sounding with more acoustic and spatial informa ... Dave_b
02-27-09
Stop the presses....i just hooked up a pair of mit magn ... Dave_b
02-27-09
Has anyone heard the 5400 pitted against the cambridge ... Twoleftears
02-27-09
My brother had one from audio advisor and returned it.. ... Dave_b
02-28-09
Update on xa5400es! breakin is quite extensive with th ... Dave_b
03-09-09
The xa5400es is excellent with both stereo & multi-chan ... Disbeliever
03-09-09
It's tough giving up on an old friend:o) Dave_b
03-09-09
Dave, please try to gracefully accept that others may p ... Tvad
03-10-09
Sorry, the old friend comment was meant sincerely. i l ... Dave_b
03-10-09
Hi dave, have you compared the sony to the oppo ... Wavetrader
03-10-09
The xa5400 is world class good, as in you can't get muc ... Dave_b
03-10-09
Sorry, dave. i misinterpreted your comment as a dig. Tvad
03-11-09
No problem, i have alot of gear i loved and let go over ... Dave_b
03-20-09
Hey dave, my krell sacd standard version 3 has been 10 ... Joeyboynj
03-20-09
That's great news joeyboynj...enjot it in good health:o ... Dave_b
03-23-09
I've had one of these since november and i agree it is ... Rwetmore
03-23-09
Whilst i agree the xa5400es is very good its real fort ... Disbeliever
03-23-09
You must keep in mind that i am using the xa5400es in a ... Dave_b
03-30-09
This player is on my short list, along with the arcam c ... Prepress
03-30-09
The player is very rewarding and i purchased on faith d ... Dave_b
04-12-09
I have had the sony and a marantz sa-11s2 in my system ... Billmcd
04-14-09
It may not be perfect, but it is a stone cold high end ... Dave_b
04-14-09
Humm....i had a sony xa-777es a few years back, and i l ... Sogood51
04-16-09
Kal rubinson, in the new issue of stereophile, kicks th ... Dave_b
04-19-09
The sony xa5400es is an excellent player for both rb cd ... Disbeliever
04-24-09
I just bought one on the 'gone at a great price; $300-$ ... Eddaytona
04-24-09
The sony needs as good a power cord and ic as you can a ... Dave_b
04-24-09
tube output devices can euphonize th ... Tvad
04-25-09
Tvad makes good points and i can only speak from my own ... Dave_b
04-25-09
The power cord supplied with the uk xa5400es is a total ... Disbeliever
04-27-09
Compared to some of my $15k products the sony cord 'ain ... Dave_b
04-27-09
Thanks for your review. you indicated that you have co ... Abind
04-28-09
The sony has absolutely zero digital nasties and presen ... Dave_b
04-28-09
I was going to buy the xa5400es, then i saw the negativ ... Aarif
04-28-09
Not sure what aarif is smokin, but good luck with the n ... Dave_b
04-28-09
Is your comment meant to be amusing aarif? if it is, i ... Roxy54
04-30-09
Now using a transparent powerlink mm and mit v1.2 proli ... Dave_b
04-30-09
Roxy54 writes: is your comment me ... Metralla
04-30-09
Ah, the ongoing evolution of the species made evident b ... Dave_b
04-30-09
There's nothing more to say, you just said it dave. tha ... Roxy54
04-30-09
At least you know people are reading your review. i am ... Metralla
05-01-09
Metralla rising...and with candor! good to know there ... Dave_b
05-03-09
Aarif's comment was mildly funny. what really put me o ... Plinko
05-03-09
Anyone compare this player to separates or sota one box ... Sgr
05-03-09
No meridian player will play sacd. fwiw. kal Kr4
05-03-09
Well how does fare against other top redbook cd players ... Sgr
05-03-09
May stereophile 'music in the round' kal rubinson's par ... Disbeliever
05-03-09
This player is not discontinued as far as i know...it j ... Dave_b
05-03-09
Apparently, it is nearly impossible to find in europe a ... Kr4
05-03-09
Kal is correct...i didn't say it would be easy to find ... Dave_b
05-03-09
Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention, i owned a meridian g ... Dave_b
07-01-09
Possible to find in germany from hifiberlinshop.de for ... Cyrilmartin
07-01-09
Hi cyrilmartin! after a few months (depending on your ... Dave_b
07-02-09
Thank you- i have another source and the problem isn't ... Cyrilmartin
07-04-09
How long have you had the player? breakin time is cruc ... Dave_b
07-07-09
Dave, this only happens on cd- sacd is clean... digital ... Cyrilmartin
07-07-09
I saw a 5400 on the workbench at allen wright's (vacuum ... Metralla
07-07-09
Cyrilmartin, i have maggie 3.6r's now so i think 40khz ... Dave_b
07-08-09
Alright, i did some digging and have a bit of informati ... Cyrilmartin
07-09-09
Update 2: i obtained the design white paper from sony r ... Cyrilmartin
07-09-09
Wow, good stuff cyrilmartin...thanks:o) Dave_b
07-13-09
Cyrilmartin which is a better cd player than the xa540 ... Disbeliever
07-13-09
Disbeliever writes: i will be ver ... Metralla
07-22-09
Well metralla...how does the mod sound on the xa5400es? Dave_b
07-24-09
Dear cyrilmartin, thank you very much for your research ... Tino_miky
07-24-09
Tino, yes, i have compared the sony with the mag ... Cyrilmartin
07-24-09
I have to say guys, that this is a case of a little und ... Dave_b
07-24-09
...the sony has the most natural and ... Tvad
07-24-09
I forgot to mention that i am around acoustic instrumen ... Dave_b
07-25-09
So much for the case of "little understanding"... a ta ... Cyrilmartin
07-25-09
Wow, i am amazed again! i owned a meridian g08...sucke ... Dave_b
08-02-09
New cable find for the frugal and acousticaly astute. ... Dave_b
08-02-09
i dare you to try them. dave_b ( ... Tvad
08-02-09
I looked at the monster sp1000, but decided not to purc ... Tvad
08-02-09
No not at all tvad. in fact i am getting quite fed up ... Dave_b
08-02-09
5 feet is too long for my installation, believe it or n ... Tvad
08-02-09
I'll check it out...the sp1000 comes with pro velcro st ... Dave_b
08-02-09
Pro velcro... now there's something... :) Tvad
08-02-09
Proline velcro...says so right on the strap so it must ... Dave_b
08-06-09
Hi dave! do you think the rca version of the mon ... Tube_guy
08-06-09
I'm not sure an rca version exists for the sp1000 cable ... Dave_b
08-09-09
I was recently at vacuum state electronics in switzerla ... Metralla
08-10-09
The setup at vse looks a little disturbing to me:o t ... Dave_b
08-11-09
Dave_b, the speakers are very close to the side ... Metralla
11-14-09
Hi everyone. this sony seems a very capable player. my ... Crimhead
11-14-09
Crimhead, yes, yes, yes, yes and most definately yes! ... Dave_b
11-16-09
Is there any review available on this cdp? i've not fou ... Crimhead
11-16-09
Techradar.com has a full review and kal rubinson mentio ... Dave_b
11-16-09
Techradar realy praises this cdp, but comparison is mad ... Crimhead
11-16-09
Crimhead, i owned levinson no. 39, 390s, 360s&37combo, ... Dave_b
11-21-09
No digital input? i reviewed the official specs and di ... Artmaltman
11-21-09
It has a digital output but not for sacd, of course.br ... Kr4
11-24-09
Kal, what do you think of the sony after having spent s ... Dave_b
11-25-09
How would you feel about audio (german mag) rated this ... Crimhead
11-25-09
They are all great players. the sony is certainly the ... Dave_b
12-15-09
i just ordered one of these to hold me over till i ge ... Budt
12-16-09
Hey budt, i'd be interested in your impressions after y ... Dave_b
12-19-09
Budt, please post your impressions. i am on the ... Michael10
12-23-09
Xa5400es is an excellent player best value on the marke ... Disbeliever
12-23-09
Disbeliever is right...no problems with sibilance or hi ... Dave_b
12-23-09
well, just a quick note.i connected this player in my ... Budt
12-23-09
Budt, several hundred hours of play time will bring a f ... Dave_b
12-24-09
I was thinking of upgrading to a raysonic to serve as t ... Mst
12-26-09
Like 5 seconds unless switching from rb to sacd which i ... Dave_b
12-29-09
What about the headphone output on this thing? how good ... Branislav
12-30-09
I don't have great phones but it sounds sweet to me! Dave_b
01-01-10
Dave_b! very interesting post about the 5400 sony,you m ... Puiutu62
01-01-10
No and no, but the accuphase stuff is known for musical ... Dave_b
01-02-10
Thanks dave_b for your answer! i use now a cd player fr ... Puiutu62
01-06-10
Just recieved a pair of mit m1.3 prolines from joe abra ... Dave_b
01-15-10
I bought one through crutchfield and i am on the fence. ... Clayx
01-16-10
Clayx, have you put 400+hrs on the unit yet? the sony ... Dave_b
01-16-10
Dave, thanks for your input. i do not have 400 hours o ... Clayx
02-09-10
Dave great review,i'm searching for a cdp, and saw this ... Karmatogdral
02-09-10
The sony has excellent bass response and dynamic contra ... Dave_b
02-15-10
Hi, i also bought this sony, which was my first ... Sequence56
03-02-10
I am using the sony with xlo signature 3 interconnects, ... Peterng123
03-10-10
...i was wondering if the tray design and mechanism lik ... Mamifero76
03-12-10
I haven't heard this particular sony, but i have two th ... Dbdeeb
03-12-10
The 5400 reads cds and sacds very quickly. i have not m ... Metralla
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Has any one compared the RB portion to well reviewed DACs such as the Benchmark DAC1 Pre, or Bel Canto Dac3?
Twinda1 03-13-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
one way to make the very good Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
even better is the Very extensive mod Modwright has just completed Dan says it is his best sounding mod to date for cd and for under $3500 total investment competes with units up to $10k that is a statement.
Audioman58 04-16-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I have compared the Sony 5400 forget the Benchmark it is not as musical -natural sounding , the Belcanto dac-3 may be a little better but remember for the same money plus a transport and cable for $2k Modwright will be modding
my unit soon and from what the beta testers have said and Dan it goes way out Vaccum tube ,Lundahl transformers
Burson master clock and a bunch of other stuff
apples to apples The Sony will compete with the big names
for for less moneys .
Audioman58 04-16-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Check out the new Mapleshade clearview excalibur plus XLR IC's...pure analog sound coming out of my Sony XA5400ES. It's not likely I'll be doing any upgrades or Mod's to the Sony now...the excaliburs have transformed my system!! Talked with Allen Wright about my findings and he confirmed that what I was hearing was the result of what he considers to be the best approach to cabling...thin ribbons:O) Helps with DDR or Downward Dynamic Range, that being the ease with which one can discern subtle sonic events in the midst of acoustic Tsunami's. 30 days no hassle return!!
Dave_b 04-23-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
04-16-10: Audioman58 writes:Dan says it is his best sounding mod to date for cd I'm sure he says that.
and for under $3500 total investment competes with units up to $10k that is a statement. Are you saying that? What units have you compared?
Dave_b - Allen's been saying that for years. It's in his "Super Cables Cookbook" - they can be a bit fragile at the connector. Happy you have found something you like, but there must be more potential in your system.
Regards,
Metralla 04-23-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
The Sony is such a great platform to build on the worlds best commercial bit clocks and power regulation is beong done .
The clocks are the Terrafirma Lite clock. and the external version Terrafirma Uber clock .This by far has made much more of a difference than all the cap and cheap word clocks mods combined and was developed specifically for the Sony 5400.
My technician did a fantastic job and even offers over $200
off to help with the economic times for the top model ,no other tech was willing to help me out and this unit is Very close to
Analog and in some respects betters it .I am still in disbelief Finally I can listen in peace sacd or red book digital.
Audioman58 04-23-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I have also upgraded the XA5400ES and you can find details here:
http://digilander.libero.it/agostino.manzato/audio/DIY/sony_xa5400_mod/sony_xa5400_mod.html
Now highs are much more open and natural than before.
Tino
Tino_miky 04-26-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
How to make the Sony 5400 Much better ,
Start with taking out the garbade steel fuses the electrical resistance is 10x more than Silver the Hifi tuning fuses although expensive make a improvement across the board buy the 1a slow blow fuses x2, also Music direct sells a large sorbathane sheet to damp the transport ,also they carry 3m damping sheets for the chasis buy 2-3 1 under the hood ,and a piece for each side , then 2 pieces for the sides of the transport and anywhere metal is exposed ,also think about some good feet .I have the audio prisms that support the unit
at least a 5% improvement for $200 and change well worth it just for the inner detail alone , then when bucks are right have it modded the Terra firma clocks are the Best bar none , and Dan Modwright also has a vacuum tube mod to complement that then you have a $10+ player !!
Audioman58 05-01-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thank you Tino_miky. Fascinating.
Regards,
Metralla 05-01-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
How can adding distortion (tubes) improve the sound ?
Disbeliever 05-09-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Many websites mention Sony's STR-DA5500ES as the ideal matching equipment to go with the SCD-XA5400ES. Is this a good idea at all for an audiophile? Would there be a significant loss by not using this player with an equipment that has H.A.T.S. technology?
Thanks
Cypriot 05-10-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
YES the SONY XA5400ES must be used with a matching receiver incorporating H.A.T.S. technology & HDMI for absolute best results,for both RB CD & SACD
DA6400ES in US & UK & 5400ES in UK . This gives the lowest tested published jitter.
Disbeliever 05-11-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Disbeliever, thanks for the input. Any other opinions about this? Dave_b said a while ago that "Evaluations done using recievers and conventional connections will not hint at what it is capable of doing". Does that include the Sony STR-DA5500ES?
BTW I was told by my local Sony dealer that the STR-DA5500ES is discontinued, and that the STR-DA5300ES is available instead. Any ideas about the difference between these two?
Cypriot 05-16-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Dave B is not correct especially if you are into MCH SACD furthermore the Sony DA6400ES/5400ES have a D.L.L program that improves the sound of early RB CD's, the Sony's have an excellent phono stage stage & FM tuner used bi-amped IMO the sound is as good as it gets with speakers that are not too difficult to drive.
Disbeliever 05-17-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
To Disbeliever Vaccum tubes are not just about distortion that is not correct ,for example the most sensitive medical equipment in the world and medically use Vacuum tubes uncluding your CAT scan machines why is this ?
Vacuum tubes are very stable at Voltage regulation ,
where solid state is good at currect since a cd player is very low voltage a seperate power supply is an idea filter buffer an my being totally seperate it isolates the diferent stages from any noise interaction ,and for the input stage the vacuum, tubes also help to filter the filter capacitors as well as providing a much more dimentional presentation .This is why some of the very best preamplifiers in the world are Vacuum tube .
Audioman58 06-06-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Vacuum Tubes have far more distortion than transistors and are prone to deterioation I am referring to Audio use not medical equipment .
Disbeliever 06-08-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
He's not Disbeliever for nothing.
Tvad 06-08-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Regardless of the fact Vaccum tubes wear out what they do for Audio is what makes them so good .It was proven many years ago that you can make a solidstate amplifier
look almost perfect from a signwave standpoint when testing -in theory,in reality with no dimentional aspects to it's sonics. Why do you think Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, Rogue Audio amd Lamm Audio have done so well ? Because it sounds more realistic and the best gear by many experts in the field believe that vaccum tubes rule ,myself included ,until you have bought a quality vaccumtube amplifier or preamplifier and have use it in a system than you have not had the experience of the magic
of how well Vaccum tubes can add to the realism of the musical event .Try reading Stereophile ,or the Absolute sounds magazine, I have over 30 years as a Audiiophile and have heard very good solidstate as well as Vacuum tube having the combination in the system brings the best of
both worlds ,also Dan Modwrights mods with the Sony 5400
are by the best out there by Far ! Dont knockit untill have have tried it .
Audioman58 06-10-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
After hearding the Terra firma Mod of the Sony xa5400 I Thought it was the best I am glad I waited, while on business I heard Dan Modwrights latest and very extensive transformation of this unit Now with a Vacuum tube OTL analog section as well as a Vacuumtube rectified Seperate power supply Just go to Modwrights webpage and check it out for $2k you now have a player that Nothing and I mean nothing that is in the class A section at $10k that will touch it ,he had a Esoteric 03-se there it was very good ,but the Sony was that much more realistic .I have spent more than a house on audio over the past 25 years and know when something is special sacd may be a little better but now even redbook cds can compete with a Very good turntable and that is saying a lot! My unit has just come back and I am giving it some run in time before giving a formal review ,so far even not runin yet I am not getting much work done for I am hearing nuances in the recording that I did not know that was there and the air around the instruments is much better than I expected I will get back here in a couple of weeks to update on the breakin.
Audioman58 06-29-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I sent my player to Dan Wright today. For $2000 dollars it is nothing short of a gift what Dan's modification entails. You also get an external power supply!! can;t wait.
Dave_b 07-06-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Dave----Your review of Sony xa5400es convinced me to buy it to replace a dying Marantz. Your opinion and a $1039 plus shipping price. What a revelation this piece is. Extraordinary detail and spot on resolution but, more than anything else, musicality. It never sounds colored in any way. It simply never sounds digital. At about 3-400 hrs in I notice very little if any change. This was stellar out of the box. Please let us know what the modded unit sounds like. I needent encourage you to specificity as we can always expect and get that from you. I gently remind all who have parsed specs that one of the most if not THE most respected reviewers in Stereophile, Kalman Rubinson, called it the best CD player he's yet heard with price not a consideration. My equipment: Vincent SV236MkII integrated, all signal cable cabling, Legacy Classic HDs and, of course, the Sony. Can't wait to hear about the Modwright mods.
Gregfey 07-20-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Nice system Gregfey! I'll be sure to post my review after a thorough listen with all genre of music.
Dave_b 07-29-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Tube designs have their followers, nostalgia and a belief by many that the tube sound is in some way better because it gives a warmer presentation; at the end of the day personal preferences will always apply, but for those of us who over many years followed technology and its advances feel that the many disadvantages of tube technology, no longer represents a level playing field against solid state. Here are some of the major reasons; To produce a first class tube amplifier capable of driving many of the modern multiway speakers, you are looking at an almost prohibitive cost of decent transformers, which include heavy chokes, expensive coupling capacitors and high voltage resistors, then this amplifier from the first day of switch on will be changing its characteristics as the tubes settle then age, so that in order to maintain its distortion levels a regular balance check will be required of the output devices. If you are a regular listener then of course tube replacement will become mandatory fairly regularly and then there is the heat issue. The distortion from tubes is mainly second harmonic which is less irritating to the listener but still suffers a level some fifty to one hundred times that of solid state, some tube designs do not even meet the IEC Hi-Fi standard for distortion at 0.25% or more, which will get worse as tubes age, some designs have now down away with feedback altogether, resulting in very low damping factors, again failing the IEC standard. Most tube designs are still largely the same as those early efforts from Mullard and Brimar so there is a limit to what can realistically be achieved in future design; By contrast solid state has hundreds of variations and technically are regarded as blameless, and for an equivalent cost to the tube would produce an amplifier of superb performance, distortion down to 0.002% damping factor up to 100+ compact size, powerful and trouble free, no competition whatever from tubes... Thats your choice!!!!
Disbeliever 08-30-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Who are you talking too disbeliever? This post is in regards to the Sony XA5400ES/Modwright CDP. Some of what you say is true, however, having an intelligently designed tube circuit utilized on the front end of a system can provide for a far more realistic and organic listening experience. I've sat 2 ft from an alto sax/piano/bass trio and I can tell you that an entirely SS system will not reproduce that melt you into your chair feeling. The sax was so sonorous and burnished that it simply made love to my ears....the Modwright XA5400ES get's me real close to that sound.
Dave_b 09-02-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Good for you
Disbeliever 09-05-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I go to live classical concerts and jazz clubs, and guess what tubes sound more like the real thing. Go listen to live music and be awakened.
Jwm 09-05-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I just put my new Shunyata Python CX pc out of the box on the Sony SCD-XA5400ES.
Although this cord costs me more than the player, it takes it to a entirely new level.
The cable is not at all broken in yet, the soundstage is now beyond and far behind the speakers.
Although the stock powercord gives a lot of detail, with the Python CX the performance improves dramatically, both in the heights, the midrange but especially in the bass-region. Far more details are easily apparent.
The openness and the increased neutrality of the music is astounding.
So I wonder if the modwright should give me the upgrade over the stock-player is in the same league as what the Python CX does over the stock powercord.
Thanks,
Sequence56
Sequence56 09-17-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
So I wonder if the modwright should give me the upgrade over the stock-player is in the same league as what the Python CX does over the stock powercord.
Thanks,
Sequence56
Sequence56 (Answers | This Thread)
I have owned a Modwright Sony 999ES player with tubed power supply. There is no question your Sony player will be improved by the Modwright mod, and that the improvement will be larger than what you hear with the addition of the power cord. That said, the Modwright players benefit greatly from good power cords...both on the player and on the power supply. So, take this into consideration when you're deciding about the Modwright mod. You will likely find yourself spending additional money on another power cord for the power supply.
Tvad 09-17-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Tvad, thanks again, that's exactly what I want to hear!
Sequence56
Sequence56 09-18-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Sequence56, you're welcome. Good luck.
Tvad 09-18-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Disbeliever--as Dan Wright of ModWright accurately states on his website, tubes are best for amplifying voltage and SS devices work best for amplifying current, hence why he uses both in his mods for this player.
Timo 09-29-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Absolutely Timo...Dan uses each technology to it's best application:O)
Dave_b 10-02-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Pitch Noise !!!!!
I was enjoying the 5400ES this afternoon at a moderate listening level and all of the sudden I jumped on my feet when I heard this loud Pitch noise coming from the speakers and music just stopped. I immediately thought it was a electric failure (blackout) and that the noise was caused by the alarm on my computer UPS, but it was not! Every component was on (powered) and the display on the 5400ES was showing "Please Wait" during that period of annoying Pitch noise sound. It only lasted 10 - 15 seconds and after the noise was gone the display showed "reading" and afterwards the CD tracks were displayed. I hit play on the remote and it started playing track 1, music OK. Three (3) hours has passed since the reported incident and everything still normal.
The player is almost 150 hrs and being in brake-in constantly 24-7.
Here is a link, check it out just to have an idea of the type of sound that came from the speakers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX7Ar3...
Have anyone else experienced this?
Tube_guy 11-24-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
No, I have not.
Dave_b 12-01-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Its impossible to find this player in the UK - I'm getting a great deal on the player in the US though. Do you think I could buy it in the US and then get it modded to 240V ? Is that an easy enough option ? thanks
Mohit25 12-12-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Contact Dan at Modwright..shouldn't be a problem:O)
Dave_b 12-12-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thanks, Dave. I fear that USD 1995 for modifications may be a tad too much for me ! I was looking to spend a hundred bucks or so ! Any other suggestions, folks ?
Mohit25 12-12-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
These days, for a hundred bucks you might get some good used footers if your lucky. Other than that, maybe a second job.
Roxy54 12-12-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thanks for the snide remark - I hope it made you feel better about yourself. Best regards
Mohit25 12-12-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I understand completely...I meant to imply that Dan could point you in the right direction:O) Get the player and convert it...enjoy it and then save up for the mod!! It's worth waiting for.
Dave_b 12-13-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thanks, Dave. Thats a great idea !
Mohit25 12-13-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Mohit25. I have the 5400 with Modwright mods - absolutely fantastic. I asked if they could modify it to 240v (for Australia) but they said no. I had the tube power supply built to 240v and for now I am just using a 110-240v transformer. I am sure my local technician can change the Sony internal power to 240v but he would have to claw the unit out of my hands - I have not been able to take it out of my system to show him yet !
I agree with the comment - buy it now - it is a world class player. Then save up for the mods.
However it is easier to buy it and have it sent straight to Modwright and then they will send it to you. Some US sellers will not send out of the US. Postage back and forth will be a waste - the modded player is sensational - worth many times the total cost. Same freight - just do it !
Peteferg 12-16-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thanks, Peter for taking the time to respond. It sounds like a fab piece that I may grow to love as much as my trusty Slimdevices Transporter ! Just one question - are you using a standard transformer or something elaborate like a powerplant or a richard gray device. Is it absolutely quiet ?
Mohit25 12-20-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I have an integrated, Simaudio i7 and speakers Dynaudio Focus 220 mk2.
I am planning to buy a cd player mostly for RB CDs. The budget I have is 5-6K. For these money I can go with either ARC CD5 or Esoteric X-05.
The question is how good the SCD XA-5400 is on RB CDs or if there is something better for 2-3K.
I am wondering if I can save on CD player so I can use the rest of the budget to upgrade my speakers to Focal JMLab 1028 BE or something equivalent.
Thanks for reply.
Mld1905 12-20-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Mohit25,
I just saw your response to my post. I was not attempting to make a snide remark at all, I was serious. As a member of this forum, you can't seriously believe that you could get a worthwhile modification for around $100.00. You can, however get some worthwhile improvement by experimenting with cones and footers for that price; although many spend a great deal of money even on that.
Roxy54 12-21-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thank you for that clarification, Roxy. I was not looking for a $ 100 audio mod, just a voltage fix. I do appreciate your note though.
Mohit25 12-26-10
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Hello All!
First time posting here. I just bought my 5400 last night and it replaced my SCD-C5555es, which was my love for almost a decade. I decided that after a decade of service, it was time to move on to something, so I went out and got it's youger, and lither sibling, the 5400. My friend actually liked the sound of the 555 better. I told him it had 15 minutes on the clock, and that it needed some time. The 555 had 10 years on the clock! Anyhow, I have been burning it in for the last 24 hours, and I can say that this machine sounds more like music. The timbre is much better, but I do see how this macine will need some time to open up. The soundstage is congested, with little depth, but it is very wide. The unit has an upper midrange hump (to my ears) and is less bright than my 555. The 555 overall sounds like a great piece of hi fi gear, the 5400 sounds like the real thing. Still, there are some attributes that until the 5400 is broken in, the 555 is still preferred. We took the stock power cord and threw it across the room. I had no other cords layeing around, so I made a temp one with some rat shack 14 gauge mega cable fitted to iec connections and it sounds much better than that garbage that came with it. The cord indeed limits the player to such a degree, that I can understand someone who is not keen on wiring, would return it. The power cord is THAT bad. I am waiting on something a friend of mine is brewing up in the meantime. I am very happy with my purchase so far and once the sound blossoms, I think I will be very happy. For now, it has it's pros over the 555, as well as cons, but after break in, I have a feeling it will wipe the floor with my 555.
Audiolover718 01-14-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
The XA5400ES sounds best via HDMI into the Sony DA6400ES receiver with H.A.T.S. enabled for lowest jitter. Some with more money than commonsense are spending more than the cost of this player to fit it with antique tubes, & external power supply, there is one born every minute the XA5400ES does take a long time to burn in. I agree that the supplied power cord is a disgrace but a so-called audiophile cable is not necessary, just use the heaviest duty cable you can find that will fit the connector.
Disbeliever 02-01-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I have the modright modded cd player that you are knocking and I can tell you it sounds fabulous and worth every penny of the upgrade.
Jwm 02-01-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Good for you,
Disbeliever 02-02-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Hi Dave
Anticipating your impressions of the modwright mods since you sent it out last July. Could you update us on this? Have you received it?
Thanks.
Tubegroover 03-18-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I wrote a lengthy response Tubegroover, but it wasn't posted? Anyway, the Sony was great but I have downsized and moved on. I would say it competed in the best under $10K category...very organic, dynamic and textured.
Dave_b 03-20-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
After all that, you dumped it Dave? You can really turn on a dime.
Roxy54 03-20-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I moved out of my previous environment too much smaller quarters and cashed in the big rig to pay some bills:O(
Dave_b 03-21-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Thanks Dave for your clarification. I am really interested in this unit considering the general consensus but at the same time without the benefit of auditioning in my system I am ALWAYS wary, it often times does not pan out the way you might anticipate.
Tubegroover 03-21-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Hi,
Thanks you for all the informative discussion. XA5400ES is also not available in Singapore. Am thinking to buy from US. But this needs a stepdown transformer as Singaore's electricity is supplied at 230V 50Hz. Will there be impacts on the playback quality? Can anyone help to comment in this? I am planning to place order in this few days.
Sacdlee 05-18-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
FYI, I put together a very musicaly satisfying system with an NAD C565BEE front end using a Yoquin Tube Buffer. It may not quite equal the 5400 Modwright player, but it sure delivers the same gestalt. Total price ran around $1K.
Dave_b 06-04-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Hi Dave,
What PC's are you now using with each piece of your new setting?
Tube_guy 06-04-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I have an MIT Magnum AC2 on my NAD C375BEE, an Audioquest NRG3 wt EMF filters on the C565BEE, an MIT Magnum AC1 on my Totem Dreamcatcher sub and an old ARC Ref 3 preamp PC I had laying around for my Yaqin buffer. The more i listen the more enthralled I am. At this point I'm finding myself more connected with my music than I have been for a very long time. The Yaqin is absolutely flawless, dead quiet, dynamic as hell and clear as a bell with some of the best tone I have ever experienced! It's awesomely adddictive and a great alternative to the modwright upgrade.
Dave_b 06-04-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Dave,
Thanks for the description of your new setup.
What do you miss from the Sony with the Modwright upgrade?
Tube_guy 06-07-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
I'm not sure really, as my time with the NAD and the Yaoin tube buffer have only been with the new setup. All I can say is that I have never been more addicted to listening as I am now. So, in my current system, I would have to say that I do not miss the Sony at all...weird!
Dave_b 06-07-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES vs. Meridian G08
I'm very happy with the Meridian G08, but would like one CDP to play both Redbook and SACD discs. What would I give up, if anything, by trading the G08 for the Sony?
Thanks,
Jim
Jim_wojno 08-18-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
If you can afford the Meridian you can afford the Sony and have it modded by modright, only 3000.00.
Jwm 08-23-11
Review: Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD Player
Perhaps one or two of you Sony XA5400ES users can help me. I've seen no review of the Sony that answers my concerns, and I can't find a unit to test. I now have an OPPO BDP95 that is a fine blu-ray and CD player but is frustrating to use, especially with SACDs. I also own a BDP83, which is a far easier unit to operate. Before I plunk down $1,500 for the Sony, I want to know it doesn't have the same issues.
I use HDMI exclusively connected to a Meridian HD621 interface.
1. When first selecting a track on the BDP95, the music starts a second or two into the track, and I have to re-start to hear the beginning of the music. Does the Sony do this?
2. When playing an SACD (not CD or DVD), if I change the TV input or switch to another input on the HD621, both the 83 and 95 go silent because the handshake was interrupted. Both regain the handshake and start playing again, but the 95 re-starts the track while the 83 picks up where it left off, behavior that OPPO says is normal in both cases. How does the Sony deal with this on SACDs?
3. I have to point the remote at the 95 virtually straight on, and I can't be more than 12 feet away. (With the 83, you only have to be somewhere in the room and pointing the remote in the 83's general direction.) How about the Sony? (OPPO has admitted this issue and corrected it on the 105, but that does me no good.)
4. To start with any other track than 1, the 95 requires that you leave the drawer open, select the track, and the press PLAY. (The 83 can't do random start at all.) How does the Sony do this?
Tbng 03-09-13
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