SONY XA-5400ES
Digital sources
The Sony image fades like an old photography in the audiophile community. And this is pity as the XA5400ES is a very good CD player, great SACD player and amazing multichannel player. On top it is absolute bargain at its asking price.
Function and form
Sony's HATS technology (= High Quality Audio Transmission System) transfers HDMI data upsampled to 2,8224MHz with negligible jitter levels. The jitter values of the X5400ES have even improved over its predecessor, the already great performing XA9000ES. To make a use of the HDMI link a similarly capable device is usedd - Sony's STR-DA2400ES receiver can be a good match (it converts the DSD into PCM standard, however, so full SACD will not be available).
The XA5400ES is a visual copy of the XA9000ES. I regret it is not available in Sony's champaign finish, Sony only offers black version. Most controls are available from the top slanted part of the player's face plate. I like that Sony continues using the toggle button to select and play the tracks. As a bonus the player offers quality variable phono output. It is not any surprise that ergonomy and control is clean and intuitive.
The XA5400ES provides XLR and RCA outputs plus switchable coaxial and optical outputs from its transport section. The digital outputs (except of the HDMI) will not allow you to use the DSD signal.
Bass management
Clarity & delicacy
The playback in stereo mode is very good. There is sufficient amount of resolution, great dynamics and bass that digs deeper than with most competitors. The XA5400ES continues in the typical Sony house style - the music is served on a golden plate with typical elegance and a hint of sweet softness. Consequently the music is not sterile or cold rather very polished and sophisticated the same way like Luxman or Accuphase's high-end players. When the playback is switched into the SACD mode the playback of the XA5400ES challenges most CD players within five thousand euro range. For example, when I compared the Sony with my resident Accuphase DP-78 I found little to no difference for SACD discs.
Tonal accuracy
The miracles start to hapen when the player is paired with the Sony multichannel amplifier. Welcome to The Pleasuredome is a focal point of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's SACD remaster. In multichannel the listener is thrown into the middle of forest of sounds that absorbs him like a tornado whirling in hypnotic rhythms. This disc is a great example how to cleverly exploit the multichannel capabilities without cheap tricks. I was totally enthralled.
Spatial resolution
When listening to orchestral music in the SACD multichannel mode the additional channels mostly do not provide a lot of musical information rather their task is to recreate the atmosphere and ambience - like with Beethoven's Symphony #3 (Osmo Vanska, Minnesota Orchestra). The sound was full of textures and dynamic contrasts that ranged from almost whispered passages and detonating fortissimos. Through the Sony it was pleasure to savor the inverted positions of the players with the string section on the right and cellos on the left. In the stereo DSD the sound was maybe not comparable to the best high end players I auditioned but the multichannel experience is something that must be heard - it certainly elevates the listening experience to new levels. When I switched back to 'only' stereo it was like the world collapsed.
Associated components
- Sources: Accuphase DP-78, Pioneer PD-905
- Amplifiers: Audio Research LS17/Reference 110
- Loudspeakers: Usher Dancer Be-10
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