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

Showing 2 responses by blueskiespbd

I got one of these a few days ago, replacing a Rotel Rcc 1055.
The one word that best describes the sound is WOW. Very smooth, easy on the ears, highly detailed are also traits I notice. I am now playing music I thought I knew only to discover what I have been missing. There are sonds that I am understanding lyrics that I had not understood before. This is strange but, very nice. The ear fatigue is gone.
It is making me think about selling my analogue front end
and replacing the vinyl with cds. Radical heresy I understand but it would result in me listening more due to the ease of use factor.
I will see what 500 hours of burn in can do plus I have new speaker cables coming this week so that will take some time to settle in also.
I am very hapyy with this Sony...no baloney.
I have been enjoying the Sony 5400 for almost 2yrs now mated to a Sonic Frontiers tubed pre. Recently I have been using the Herbies super Black hole. T o my ears this is a great improvement in soundstage and ease of listening...I still want to try the Modwright upgrades.