My Sony XA7ES was purchased to replace an aging (1990) Marantz CD94 MK2. Improvements were substantial and comparable to my analogue system (Linn LP12/Koetsu). Previous comparisons with other "new generation" CD players and outboard expensive DAC's using the Marantz transport were generally disappointing with marginal or negative improvements.
My system comprises: Audio Research SP11/D125, feeding Appogee Duettas. In this system the Sony produced superb bass/midrange and excellent resolution of treble. I would describe the Sony as having a neutral non fatiguing sound. Build quality and reliability has been first class. Interconnect Cables are very important if you want to get the best from this machine.

I purchased the machine as an ex demonstraion unit for $2450 and while not cheap feel the value is very good for the money.

There can only be one. If you are talking 44.1kHz and 16 bit and nothing else, then I cannot think of another CD player to go for. The other positive reviews in this section ought to suffice, but I feel that I need to say that it is every bit as good as the Wadia 860 that I'm familiar with and better than the Meridian 508. However, with the Sony being priced way below the US$3000 list in most countries, the choice has to be a no-brainer. There really can only be one.

Solid chassis, Solid Performance, Neutral, Good soundstaging, warmth, Nice Style & Design, 5 years warranty back up at bargain price. Do the math right, why buy Krell, Meridian,..... OWN ONE and You Will Understand.

I have owned the Sony XA7ES for about 2 yrs. I chose XA7ES for its velvety sonic presentation and superb revelation of details compared to other more expensive US, UK and Japanese cd players. It sounded perfect in balanced mode and require good cabling to sound at its best. I had used it on a combination of systems comprising Copland CSA 8, ARC LS15 pre-amp together with ARC VT50/VT100 and Mark Levinson 332 power amps with remarkable results. Furthermore, the price in Singapore dollars, $2,650 (approx US$1,500), makes it an irresistable choice for price and performance.

i bought the Sony Xa7ES CD player 2 weeks ago for a special price (~15.000 ATS). after the "playing/burning-in" i must say that this one is the best cdplayer i heard ever. my componentsare: CYRUS 3 + PSX (AMP), MISSION 774 (Speaker), QED -silverline-connection
MONSTER-420-Interlink-connection. i compared it with the MARANTZ CD67SE and a AKAI CD69 which i have, too.
the sound is impressive with full details and space. the bass is the best one
i heard yet - low and accurate.

The XA7ES is one terrific player! Incredible sonics and build quality. I had owned the Mark Levinson 39 but after hearing the Sony I could not justify the additional cost of the 39. Probably the best player at its competetive price point. Great job Sony!

This is something of side issue, but the new Sony DVD player (so far, $1000 no matter where you buy it), uses exactly the same processors and converter as the top line Sony ES CD player. Some of the reviewers have mentioned how very close the DVD play sounds like its more expensive sibling. I had bought the DVD for AV use, but auditioned its CD quality. To my surprise, it completely blew away the separate transport and D/A (plus jitter filter device, plus separate high buck power supplies) that I had been using. No question, the sound with the Sony DVD was extremely spacious and detailed, without traditional CD harshness. I don't doubt that ES player may add some additional refinement, but the DVD gets you 95% of the way there. I really made investment in the DVD worthwhile, since no matter what happens to the format, it will always be an excellent CD player.

This is a post follow-up review. Since I got my XA7 in 10/96 I have only better things to say about it. The transport is silky smooth as is the sound. When I feel like playing my music loud, This player can really produce great sonic impact with out being harsh. I don't typically play my music loud, But when I do, The XA7 really performs. The Sony CDP-XA7ES deserves 5 stars

I got this XA7ES a couple of months ago And it is GREAT! sounding. High build quality and I think this player is built for the long run This player retailes a $3K but it can be had for much less. I got mine for $2445. Exellent player @ $3k, let alone $2.4K. Deserves more than 5 stars!

The sony xa7es usually retails at US$2000, its list price is US$3000.I'm suprised the previous reviewer didn't mention that fact, or did he buy it at $3000? Given that theres nothing in the US$2000 retail range that can touch the Sony, it has to be "best in its class". Its a refined player that renders female voices.. well, just audition it.
people observed that it doesn't have the same detail and transparency as the Krell or Mark Levinson 1 box players. Heh. the fact that to get a decent comparision they have to look to players *that* expensive really says something.

The closest competition should be the sonic frontiers which is only 50% more expensive (retail wise).

oh yeah, ignore, the technical aspects like fixed pick up, display in drawer, etc,etc. It doesn't have much to do with the sound. The XA5ES, about US$1050 retail, sounds brighter, more forward (=harsher?) than the XA7ES while having the fixed pick-up etc... its the sound that counts.