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What's the best Sony CD/SACD player?

Hi all, there's been a bunch of talk lately about Sony's latest 5400ES SACD player. I have a 9100ES DVD player I use for both video and audio. What are peoples' opinions on the best new or used Sony for CD/SACD sources?

Specifically, what about the new 5400ES, the XA-9000ES, the 777ES, vs my 9100ES? They all seem available for around $1000.00.

What else would people suggest in that price range for 90% RBCD and 10% SACD? The rest of my system is Linn. I'm also thinking about a used Linn Unidisk SC.

Thanks!
bmdduck
thaluza's avatar
thaluza
278 posts
 
jafant, you are welcome!
calvinj
2,277 posts
 
The Modwright Sony 5400es is the bomb. It beats my Parasound best CD player the Parasound cd1. It easily beats the Ayon cd2s. It beats the ear acute. It beats the stock oppo 95, the Bryson cd1 and the metronome player I heard. The only better player I heard was the solutions 540.  It has great detail, soundstage and prat. It also has great image placement and separation.
jafant
18,804 posts
 
Thanks! for the update -calvinj
that is quite good company(Parasound, Ayon, Oppo, Bryston) in regard to the Sony ES.
Happy Listening!
nordicnorm
313 posts
 
i had a Sony S9000ES player for many years (since replaced with an Esoteric DV-50S), and I wouldn’t call its sound "strident" by any means!?

But then again, I was running it through tubes (both preamp and amp).

jafant
18,804 posts
 
nordicnorm-
how did the Esoteric compare to the ES for SACD playback?
Happy Listening!
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