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michi said:
Gigi, I'm still researching so at this point I've got no conclusion. I have an XA777ES; I've heard people say that the XA5400ES's output is better, but i don't know how it compares to the XA9000ES.
I have all three and I believe the XA5400ES is superior to the other two.
Kal
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Post by RWetmore March 24, 2009 (152 of 290)
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michi said:
Gigi, I'm still researching so at this point I've got no conclusion. I have an XA777ES; I've heard people say that the XA5400ES's output is better, but i don't know how it compares to the XA9000ES.
The XA777ES and XA9000ES sound exactly the same running in "Direct" mode because their internal build and design is identical. The only difference between them is the XA9000ES has bass management and i-link (I've owned both of them myself)
The XA5400ES sounds better because it's got Sony's latest custom designed DSD DAC, which represents the latest advancement in DSD D/A conversion. Some kind of unprecedented "no negative feedback I/V Converter" technology. Gone completely is any slight softness or distortion associate with converting DSD to analog. The output is very tight and crisp where as the XA9000ES and XA777ES are noticeably softer sounding by comparison.
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Post by Gigi March 25, 2009 (153 of 290)
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RWetmore said:
The XA777ES and XA9000ES sound exactly the same running in "Direct" mode because their internal build and design is identical. The only difference between them is the XA9000ES has bass management and i-link (I've owned both of them myself)
The XA5400ES sounds better because it's got Sony's latest custom designed DSD DAC, which represents the latest advancement in DSD D/A conversion. Some kind of unprecedented "no negative feedback I/V Converter" technology. Gone completely is any slight softness or distortion associate with converting DSD to analog. The output is very tight and crisp where as the XA9000ES and XA777ES are noticeably softer sounding by comparison.
Hi all
thank you very much for your reply
gigi
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I have found the XA5400ES to be a better player than the 9000ES despite the rave reviews the latter received in both Stereophile & Hi-Fi News. If only the matching STR-DA 5400ES receiver was more reliable with HATS enabled this would be an excellent combination.
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Post by bmax March 25, 2009 (155 of 290)
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tream said:
I listen to SACD, vinyl and tape (open reel, both 7.5 ips and 15 ips). Each has their pluses and minuses. SACD sounds best in multichannel (no matter what you hear elsewhere in this and other forums), something that vinyl simply has never been able to do well. There was 4 channel tape, of course, but it was a niche of a niche. I listen to RBCD mostly only in my car.
I was an early adopter of multichannel SACD (I set up my first system in 2002) and have consistently found that well recorded multichannel adds a depth, bloom and concert hall realism that simply is unattainable in any other medium. The problem is availability of gear (mostly oriented to home cinema and not audio), finding the right place to have at least 5 speakers, and the fact that some listeners seem to be insensitive to the benefits of multichannel sound. Just like not every person is sensitive to the nuances of wines, not every person can "hear the difference".
In two channel, the difference between vinyl and SACD is not so clear, and there is a much wider selection of music on vinyl. You also avoid digital processing by buying older vinyl (I have found that I strongly prefer analog-sourced recordings, followed by DSD. I feel that I can hear it when PCM has been introduced into the audio chain.) Both vinyl and SACD are inherently superior to RBCD. Vinyl can pop for rock and jazz in a way that SACD doesn't seem to, and the number of rock/jazz releases on SACD has dwindled to a trickle.
I am a long time reader of Stereophile (since the early 80's) and I admire a number of the writers - John Marks, Art Dudley and Michael Fremer are each of them thoughtful and responsible writers (well, Mikey does jump to conclusions at times, but that is a very human failing, and no, I don't admire Sam Tellig). I have come to the conclusion that Stereophile is a follower, not a leader, simple as that. For many years audiophiles railed against RBCD sound, and I felt that a leader in the audiophile community would welcome SACD and DVD-A with major headlines and coverage, and would cover the first universal players as being among the most important audio components ever released, but the overall reaction was "ho-hum" and wait and see. The magazine is targeted toward the existing user base, which is mostly 2 channel RBCD with a little vinyl.
Background: I'm old enough to proclaim that I was the 1st kid on the block w/ quadrophonic, hence the 4 v.g.speakers to now enjoy SACD/DVD Audio, especially in the surround format. ( I long ago gave away my
Teac tape deck and my quad records, for the most part ). Sony and others have caused a predicament for
users who, of necessity, must utilize one room for t.v. and music. Not all of us have the $$ for a gigantic theater room and separate space for audio only enjoyment. That said, it is now difficult to find video "receivers" that provide for SACD/DVD Audio playback. Sony, who led us to SACD, pulled the rug out from under us. I am gratified that we still have new SACDs available.
Just a brief word on the so-called "Living Stereo" multichannel discs. Yes, they are stereo and are often
the result of fine conducting/orchestral efforts but 'tis a misnomer to suggest that they provide surround
sound.( no rear channel)
BTW, my L.R. speakers from the early 70s are Audio Analyst A-200ax w/ 12" woofers, twin mid-range/twin tweeters w/ crossovers, very favorably reviewed by Stereophile back then.
Max Young
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Post by michi March 25, 2009 (156 of 290)
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RWetmore said:
The XA777ES and XA9000ES sound exactly the same running in "Direct" mode because their internal build and design is identical. The only difference between them is the XA9000ES has bass management and i-link (I've owned both of them myself)
The XA5400ES sounds better because it's got Sony's latest custom designed DSD DAC, which represents the latest advancement in DSD D/A conversion. Some kind of unprecedented "no negative feedback I/V Converter" technology. Gone completely is any slight softness or distortion associate with converting DSD to analog. The output is very tight and crisp where as the XA9000ES and XA777ES are noticeably softer sounding by comparison.
Has anyone seen the internal build of the XA5400ES? I can't find any images anywhere...
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michi said:
Has anyone seen the internal build of the XA5400ES? I can't find any images anywhere...
I have some pix but no place to post them.
Kal
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RWetmore said:
The XA5400ES sounds better because it's got Sony's latest custom designed DSD DAC, which represents the latest advancement in DSD D/A conversion. Some kind of unprecedented "no negative feedback I/V Converter" technology.
I believe that the DAC in the 5400 is a Burr Brown device.
There is a pic of the 5400's innerds in the recent Hi Fi News review.
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According to Hi-Fi News the multiformat DAC is a Burr-Brown DSD 1796. However Sony's implementation has achieved the lowest peak-level bass /midrange distortion of just 0.00015% even at 20KHz distortion is just 0.0007%. Despite this being a PCM/DSD DAC I find that using a good stereo amplifer for my front TLS speakers and the Onkyo 706 receiver as a pre amp for decoding and rear small speakers B & W MI's the sound is the best I have achieved so far, better than vinyl which I do not listen to anymore.
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Post by Nexus March 26, 2009 (160 of 290)
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Hi I own denon dcd 1500 ae and pma 1500 ae with dynaudio focus 110.
I hope to get better sound with SCD-XA5400ES instead dcd 1500 ae. What to you think? I dont have possibility to hear it. Thanks
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