Summary: This review is for the Sony model SCD-XA5400es player, purchased six months ago from American Theater. The advice received was worth the wait, this unit is by far the most musical, three dimensional sounding ever. Musical detail is far better than the model 9000es from Sony, latest d/a conversion with hdmi outputs, make home theater a pleasure. Well worth its under $2000 price tag, talk to Kevin for a great deal on this unit. Contact www.amsound2.com for price and availability. Highly recommended for the audiophile person and hometheater usage. Also, this unit is well built, quality parts and hardware, plus Sony's great warranty, don't miss out.
Summary: I have owned this player for over 90 days, and it is extraordinary. It is the bargain of the century at 2000US. Provided you use the standard (default) filter setting, and not the optional one, It is the most grain free sounding digital stream I have ever heard. The clarity in the midrange and upper frequencies is comparable to cost no object decks I have hard from DCS Elgar(12,000US), and most notably the Krell SACD Player(4,000US). I was going to buy the Krell SACD, but the unit has had a rough existence; one where it was pulled off the market due to transport issues. Krell reintroduced the SACD unit with an updated transport, but it takes forever to read a disc and I have heard stories of reliability issues which will no doubt impact its resale value. I bought the Sony because of its build quality and reliability, both of which are backed back a 5 year warranty.
The only caveat with this unit is that it requires a long time to settle in. Before this properly occurs, the bass output will sound lean. Once you are past this (100 hours or so!) you will have difficulty turning your system off. The bass response is lightning quick, accurate, and effortless. I am about a harsh a critic as they exist, and I am pleased with my purchase.
I hate making large expenditures on digital equipment due to format uncertainties that exist, and these are becoming more uncertain as time marches on. For two thousand dollars or so, you will receive an SACD/CD player with no sonic colorations (that I could detect), and fatigue-free, magical sound that will make you forget there is actually an "off" switch on the unit. I will keep this deck for a very long time. If you are frustrated with digital audio and want to spend 20% of the money to achieve close to 90% of the performance of the big dogs, look no further. Bon voyage!
Strengths: -Clarity like that I have heard from no other digital source other than the 12,000US deck from DCS Elgar.
-Two digital filters to chose from (Stereophile liked the optional one, I like the standard one which is much more natural sounding and extended).
-Quick, tight, accurate bass (once burn-in is complete).
-Build quality that rivals anything anywhere. The two tranformers in this thing are bigger than that I have seen in 200WPC receivers!
-Meticulous chassis layout.
-Elegant good looks.
-No reliabilty issues
-Flawless sonic performance on both SACDs and CDs for a weasy 2000US.
Weaknesses: -No balanced outputs! When will Sony wake up and build their flagship decks with balanced outputs. This takes away from the overall excellence of the deck.
-The plastic remote could look a little better, but it works very well, and who are you going to impress with a remote control?
-They should make the buttons on the remote control glow in the dark since this thing will encourage many a late night listening session.
-The menu items should be accessible through the remote, and they are not.
Similar Products Used: Toshiba 9200 DVD player
Krell SACD player
Krell KRC-3
Krell KCT
Krell MDA-300s
Krell FPB-350s
ML Request
ML Summit
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Summary: This New Sony SACD Spinner is the last word in it's League. The Build Quality is Astonishing,Sonics on Par with a Dedicated CD Machine,Multi-channel SACD Heaven & Digital(I-Link) Out to it's companion Behemoth TA-DA9000es Master Digital Amp
Sound is Transparent & delivered with Ease with Taut Bass Extension & Flawless Multi-channel Nirvana. SACD Outshines Any & All Red book layers with a Blacker Background & Silky Highs..
The I-Link is not a Must Option on an SACD player but a Warranted one,canceling the need of future upgrades. The Current compatabile Sony Amp is another winner in a class b itself.. The SCD-XA-9000ES is the best SACD player I've heard outshining the Krell By $1000 & Bettering it in it's Fluidity & Redbook Performance & Digital I-link to Boot...
Strengths: Sonics, Build, I-link,Future Proof,Price VS Any REAL Competition...A Class Leader
Weaknesses: Cheaply Crafted Remote,
Needs Adequate Shelf Space
Heft...
Similar Products Used: Sony SCD-XA777ES
Krell SACD Standard
Marantz SA-14
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Summary: With the right SACD materials, there is no comparison between CD and SACD. Strengths are solid bass, full body sound. Even though CD's are not as good as SACD's, it is still very smooth and has solid bass as well. Solidly built, beautiful to look at. All listening has been done with 2 channels only. Only the remote control is skimpy as if it was a thrown-in at the last minute.
Strengths: Solid bass, full-body sound and 3 dimentional.
Weaknesses: Remote control
Similar Products Used: Denon, SCD-333ES, Rega, Platinum Tech
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Summary: Detail without fatigue, good soundstage, nice to look at and easy to program. Nice job with redbook besting my former player(had been using a toshiba 9200 which was no slotch). SACD is just great.
Strengths: Build, looks, base management, i link, and sound on redbook and sacd.
Weaknesses: Remote is tacky.
Similar Products Used: Toshiba 9200 for redbook, sony sacd 775
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