Sony CDP-XA1ES CD Players
Sony CDP-XA1ES CD Players
USER REVIEWS
[Jan 23, 2015]
bluecrab222
Audio Enthusiast
This is an edit of my recent review of the Sony CDP-XA1ES. In it, where I refer to the CDP-XA70ES and the CDP-XA7ES, what I really meant were the CDP-CA70ES and CDP-CA7ES. The CA designation indicates a Changer. Sorry; I didn't see any way to edit the original review. |
[Jan 22, 2015]
Bluecrab22
Audio Enthusiast
I bought this XA1ES a few months ago on Ebay for 60 USD. I also have its higher-level cousin, the CDP-XA20ES, recently was also using a CDP-XA70ES, and prior to the 70ES, had a CDP-XA7ES. All of these share the common lineage of Sony's 8505 series DAC (8505, 8505AQ, 8505BQ). One thing you can count on from all of them is strong bass response...important to me.
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[Aug 13, 2003]
alphanathan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
I like the sound very well, but I must admit that I don't have a lot of experience listening to cd players. I also was very happy to find out that the unit was dicounted more than a hundred dollars.
Weakness:
Although the problem is fixable, I think that slope of the tray contibutes to the malfunction. I hope Sony never uses that tray again. I write this in response to the complaints about the Sony cdp-xa1es eating a lot of discs. I have had his problem on and off, and I understand that users would feel cheated that any cd player would damage discs.(more during the emergency removal, I suspect, than the getting stuck in the first place.) After I got disgusted with the problem only happening on CERTAIN discs, I set about finding out why,analytically. I observed the operation while the unit was open, using a bad cd, and pulling it with my hand, ect. I came to the conclusion that the part that drops down, that little spindle, (I don't know what it is called), was grazing the label side of SOME discs, and the drag was enough to pull these up the slope of the tray. I removed the spindle, and looking closely a it, the center "socket" had a dent/bend in the plastic. Apparantly, some cds have a tiny burr on the edge of the hole, and it would get caught. Granted, perhaps some of the cds have a slightly larger diameter, and sit higher in the tray, but the solution for me was to CAREFULLY shave a bit off of the center. No problem since. I think that maybe, the store demos (many were sold that way) got rough treatment in the store, and the part malfunctioned. Similar Products Used: Once I bought a fancy player (I can't remember the name) and upon finding that the "damper feet" were just plastic, and that they only bothered to mold the FRONT halves, I promptly returned it. Althou |
[Feb 11, 2002]
zivayalon
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Good sound for the price.
Weakness:
Loading tray could be designed better. No other for this price. For it''s price it''s the best that money can get with very clear and deep sound. I''ve experienced no technical difficulties using it for over than a year, it''ll play any CD-R and even badly scratched cd''s without nodding. Though comparing it to my Sony PS-LX5 turntable, showed me that the crystal clear and deep sound reproduction can''t cover up for the seriously lack of resolution and some what slow response time. Unfortunately since the $$$ isn''t at my pocket and I can''t afford one of those $1000+ cd players. I''ll have to stick to this one and to the old vinyl. My verdict if you''d like to get a good sound for your money and don''t have too much to spend, go with it! you can''t find any better for this sum. If you are more interested in music than crystal clear sound, brush the dust off of your good-old turntable or get one for $40 (Vinyls are so cheap these days, belive you''ll thanks me for this tip). |
[Jul 25, 2000]
J. Tucker
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Sound quality, clarity of signal
Weakness:
Does have a tendency to eat certain discs I bought this about a year ago from Netmarket after seeing it advertised in Crutchfield as a "Sterophile Recommend" product. The previous reviews have been for the most part honest, but perhaps a bit on the harsh side. True, it may not be the "heaviest" built piece of audio equipment I own, particularly in comparison to the two pieces of Musical Fidelity product I own. But what do you expect? Once in place in my audio cabinet it doesn't need to withstand gale force winds or an NFL linebacker. |
[Jan 03, 2001]
John Geelan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent cd sound, detailed, spacious, deep bass
Weakness:
average build quality, cd tray can be tricky. Bought this player 2 years ago over the web as a used demo from a dealer in CA. for only $199.00 I was looking for a new improved cd player to replace my circa 1986 Sony cd player. Stereophile gave this one rave reviews and basically said it is the best for its rather low price point. Similar Products Used: previous Sony cd player |
[Mar 15, 2001]
Eriq
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Good imaging and sound quality, Variable Line Out, Digital Optical Out.
Weakness:
Transport could be better (Especially for an ES component), Not the best built CD player out there. For a component catering for the aspiring audiophile on a budget, the sound quality of this CD player ranges between good and excellent. It's transport mechanism however does not lend itself to being overused. On on notable occasion I had to take it apart to retrieve a disk that had gotten stuck inside. It is also picky about what CD-R's you put in, and often fails to track some. If you are one of those types that is willing to put up with an occasional inconvinience for good sound quality then by all means put up with it until DVD-Audio becomes more prevalent, otherwise there are excellent Denon and Marantz CD players that cost about the same but are a little more reliable (at the cost of sound quality). Similar Products Used: Various Denon, Onkyo and Marantz budget players. |
[Sep 10, 2000]
Steve
Audiophile
Strength:
sound, reliability, value
Weakness:
drawer could be tougher I got the XA1ES this spring. I have since used it a great deal--usually everyday a couple of hours a day. I have experienced NO disc eating problem. The unit works flawlessly each and every time. I have a friend that has the XA20ES. At twice the price it does not sound twice as good--in fact the XA1ES sounds as good as his 20. I would reccomend this to anyone looking for great sound in a single disc player. The only thing I do not like is the automatic start feature. |
[Jan 24, 2001]
gene
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
good imaging and detail, tight bass, low price.
Weakness:
average aesthetics, not built very stoutly I'VE READ ALL THE REVIEWS HERE AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE MECHANICAL DISC EATING OR TRAY LOADING PROBLEMS OF THE OTHER REVIEWERS...MAYBE THEY NEED TO LEARN HOW TO OPERATE A CD PLAYER CORRECTLY...AS FAR AS SOUND FOR THE MONEY, IT'S GREAT...FOR $300 YOU CAN'T BEAT IT...I HAD ALSO AUDITIONED THE NAD C521 AND DID A LOT OF SIDE BY SIDE...THE NAD HAD GREAT VOCAL IMAGING AND A GREAT MIDRANGE...THE BASS SEEMED DEEPER AS WELL...BUT THE SONY HAD MUCH BETTER TRANSIENT RESPONSE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED MORE DETAILED...FOR FASTER MUSIC, THE SONY BLEW THE NAD AWAY...THE HIGHS WERE CRISP, THE BASS WAS TIGHT AND FAST, AND GENERALLY PLAYED WITH GREAT DETAIL, YET NOT HARSH...THE NAD IS GENERALLY SMOOTHER, BUT MUCH LESS DETAILED...I THINK THE SONY HAS BETTER SPATIAL IMAGING AND THE NAD HAS BETTER VOCAL IMAGING...BECAUSE OF MY MUSICAL TASTE...I WENT WITH THE SONY...GREAT PRICE...GREAT PLAYER! Similar Products Used: NAD C521 |
[Nov 04, 2001]
Gerald Crum
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very clean natural sound, love the 20 track select buttons.
Weakness:
Extremely cable sensitive This is a 3 year follow up to my original review. The fact I still have it speaks volumes in its favor. For a while it was a love/hate relationship, until: 1) I got an NAD C350 with its easy to drive inputs, and 2) I found the Sony demands short, low capacitance cables. I am currently using a 1/2 meter 25 pico Farad cable I built myself. These two changes made a magical difference in the Sony. The XE-500 needs the same kind of cable, by the way. Now, the two players are very natural sounding with accurate instrumental and vocal timbre, fine detail, excellent imaging, and no trace of edginess or grit. Similar Products Used: Onkyo DX-220, Sony CDP-XE-500, Arcam Alpha 7SE, Rotel 971 |