I bought this player on the used market on a lark. I am astounded at the sound. The highs are clean and clear, the bass is taut, deep and the midrange is natural.I love it!

I recently purchased this player after getting bored with my old CD player (Denon). Anyway, for the price I paid ($275), it is well worth it considering it is part of Sony's ES line. Also I heard "rumours" that this player is/will be discontinued...but I'm sure you can find them in mail order wharehouse somewhere. If true, then there will be no "budget" ES line player except for the CDP-XA20ES (replacing the CDP-XA3ES) at $699 MSRP. Ouch.
The sound is definately crisp and produces very clean highs and tight lows (admirable specs). But always remember, the right cables can make a big difference (I am using the Monster Interlink CD...$30/meter). The player has lots of little feature/access buttons all over the face. Yeah!! However, I can't figure out why the display is so huge. I have yet to see data fill up the screen.

Yes, I do agree with the previous reviewer, the casing construction is a little cheap feeling (it moves sideways even with the screws tightly in place). However, unless Sony came up with plastic that feels/sounds like metal, the face feels sturdy (except buttons of course). Even the tray is slim and sturdy (metal) and does not wobble..like most players. No cheap feeling here.

In fact it feels like my DVP-S7000 faceplate and tray contruction. But the component factor is definately lacking since it only weighs 8.4 lbs. Versus XA7ES approx 30+ lbs, and XA20ES/XA3ES approx 20+ lbs.

And for those of you who like diversity, the XA1ES has two sets of analog outs (gold plated of course). One is fixed and the other variable current output...The remote has the volume control (basic remote).

Overall, this is a fine player for $350 msrp. I would definately recommend it if you are on a budget, but want quality found in higher grade models. Folks don't buy those players under $150 (plenty out there), spend a little more and get this. You get quality, sound, and features you will not regret. Oh and lets not forget the ES 5 year warantee (although Sony web page says 3 years).

I give this a five stars for the best "budget" player in the market i've heard. But I give it a 4 star as an "overall" general CD player.

When my Sony CDP605ESD CD player died after about ten years, I had adecision to make: fix it for about $400.00 or buy a new XA1ES for $350.00 list.

I'm bought the XA1ES, and it was definitely the right choice. My B&W 801 studio monitors support the fact that it is sonically superior to what was a more
expensive unit. It makes the speakers seem more transparent, and the musical
detail on a well-recorded CD is extremely satisfying. For example, listen to
the natural sound of the jazz group Bebop and Destruction on "The Day
After." Maybe hard to find but worth the effort. (Check out musicsearch.com.)

Easier to locate is "Dave Grusin presents West Side Story." The story is in the listening.

If Sony compromised anywhere, it is on the construction, which is rather
cheap and does not resist shock and vibration as well as my former player. You'll have to spend twice as much as the XA1ES to get the "audiophile"
version.

I give the XA1ES player four stars out of five. But if you don't care
about the mechanical stuff it could deserve five.

Great, natural sound.

Build quality.

This is the first review I've written on Audioreview, so bare with me. I purchased this player way back in 1996, it replaced a Yamaha 501. I thought it sounded great, better than the Denon and NAD models I was comparing it with. I don't remember what the models were since it was almost 5 years ago. Anyways, I've been more than happy with it since then. It's been completely trouble free for the last 4 years. When I first purchased it, it ate one of my discs, so I took it back to the dealer and they exchanged it for a new one. Then after about a year it ate that same disc! (teaches me for making it play DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince!) So I took it back again and they replaced it free of charge. I threw that CD away and haven't had a single problem with it since, even after marathon playing sessions lasting over 2 days straight! My only real gripe with it is that it seems a little lacking in the build quality, it just doesn't feel like a piece of ES gear. But I guess its better than Sony throwing some extra unnecessary weight in it.

Similar Products Used:

Various Yamaha and Sony models.