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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 5 responses by goose

goose
669 posts
 
Hello,

Is anyone going down the modification path with the player? I know VSE has one out there and reviewed in Positive Feedback. Also Dan Wright is getting ready for his mod.
goose
669 posts
 
A lot of passion around this player. I have the Modwright version. Is it the best player with the mod under $10K, $20K? I don't know. Unless I can listen to players in a direct blind A/B test and switch between the two rapidly, my audio memory isn't that great. I will say that it sounds very good and betters the Sony 999ES Modwright that I had. I find it hard to justify buying anything new that is digital because of technology changes. My Modwright was used (like new) and I have upgraded the tubes, power chords and umbilical. At this point I don't have a desire change and am very satisfied with it's performance.
goose
669 posts
 
I also had good luck changing the players tubes to the Sophia's. I noticed an improvement over the stock affair. I also upgraded the power supply to a NOS GE (Mullard). This a excellent player with Dan's mods. My only complaint is the player has some noise between cirtuits and tube board due to proximity I believe. This is noticable when the pre amp gain is turned up without the source coming through.
goose
669 posts
 
Dfk0

I am using the HT magic cables with the Modwright version. They sound just fine in this combination.
goose
669 posts
 
Podeschi,

Have you removed the existing fuse on the Modwright? If it has a F on the label it is a fast-blow fuse, if it has a T or S on it is a slow-blow. It may also be imprinted on the fuse housing. If it doesn't have a marking, and the fuse filament within is a thin wire it is a fast-blow fuse. If you see a thick wire that may have a small spring on one end it is a slow-blow fuse.
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