Briefly, this SACD XA5400ES is comparable to the best under $4k in terms of build quality and sound characteristics. The Red Book CD sounds better than expected from a SACD player and the SACD is full measure to compete with more expensive players. It may be wise to put on continuous play for approx 75 hours when purchased as the sound sets nicely without the slight emphasis on high frequency end of the spectrum. From 2008 HDMI was an additional function that may interest some. There is much as usual to say about the technical side of this player which has included much from the previous XA9000 player which received great reviews. It is believed that this XA5400ES is the last of the Sony line of SACD players that challenge the absolute sound while they continue to market less expensive gear. If you relish music, this will do it for you.

supeeraudiocd ( sa-cd ) is agreat format and CAN sound really "high end analog" if you choose the correct player. firstly i buyed a entry level marantz sa-cd player which disappointment me so much that i sold it. although sony scd-xa5400es has WAY better level of detail than marantz entry level SA-CD player in SACDs and CDs alike, when I listened afterwards an arcam dv135 (comparable price ) (yes, dvd-audio/ superaudiocd player) in my system I hear much more than before with the others SACD/CD players sony and marantz. Not only , perhaps because the arcam player is made in england (and i am spanish from madrid so it is not a english patriotic sentence, but i am discovering than arcam, dCS,... british digital is better), it has more botton end punch , real hi-res sound , and i didnt hear in that moment DVD-A with 192khz24bits recordings yet , amazing.
So, this sony high-res player is way better than marantz, pioner, yamaha BUT for the same price arcam brand is more punchy and "master tape" sounding (warmer, detailed, )

I have owned this super audio cd player for three months after my XA555ES died of old age with no hope of repairing due to lack of spare parts.
Initially I bought It out of necessity because of lack of funds for something better and of the good performance of my previous ES player.

To be frank I was drooling over the Esoteric X-05 which blew my mind in the demo that convinced me to purchase the luxman590 amp and B&W 803s speakers that drained my wallet dry, boy was I in for a surprise.
The first thing I have to say is that this player needs ALOT of breaking in It took mine 300 hours to reach premium performance and It is still getting better.
The second thing is that to give Its best self It needs carein placing and in the selection of cabling includinng the replacemant of the poew chord which is the most important!!

So what of the sound?
Dont be misguided by this player's modest price. A look inside at first will make you suspiciously enthusiastic, ..anyway..
At fist nothing special happened, It was ok fr the price with a very nice tension towards analytical but not clinical interpretation of the music.
After 100 Hours It became very dynamic retaining All the previous characteristics adding deep bass
At the 300Hours point musicality and consistensy arrived, now the player sounds mindblowing!!
I will not tire you with explaining how It sounds.
The only thing I have to say is that now using the same program It is as good as the ESOTERIC X-05 I so much wanted (but not anymore) with the addition that the Sony is more musical and boy does that make me happy!
Having listened at two other sony sacd players the SCD-1 and the XA777ES I can say with no reservations that It betters them both at every aspect!!

So don't be fooled by It's modest price.
This is a top class player that could cost at least three times more! now that Sony began Its production again after a mysterious 8 month break is your chance to get a taste of the digital giants in a real world price.

TOTALLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

I agree completely with what Music Buff stated. This is an absolutely fantastic player and Sony has done an outstanding job with this one. I was absolutely stunned by how much better this player is compared to my other players ( which were Meridian 506.24, Rotel 971 & 1072, Sony DVP9000es and 999es,
and Marantz cd5003). Much more vivid sound and resolution, more like live music than any of my other players. I only have a few SACDs so I use it mostly with redbook. This player took my system to a whole new level. I never expected a cd player to make such a difference. 5 year es warranty also.

I was looking for an alternative for my aging Sony CDP XA50ES and although I had another CDP-XB930QS as backup, I defenately wanted a new player.
SACD is not that important to me as there are few SACD recordings - I own at maximum 20 SACD's - so the main reason for bying this player was CD playback.

I hooked up the player to a McIntosh C46 preamp, using the McIntosh MC252 power amplifier and the JBL Ti10k speakers. I used both balanced and unbalanced outputs.
I compared the sound with the Sony CDP-XB930QS.

First thing : somehow less bass but more definition in bass. The output must be about 0.2 Volt less as the unit plays just not as loud. Highs are OK, but I have the feeling the highs are not as correct as should be : some highs on different recordings seem to sound the same. That is something you won't like...
Mids OK, transparant sound, good dynamics but I have the impression it could be better.

Anyway, the unit plays good en in any way better than any other new CD player I have heard the last three to four years.
I did not have the impression I was listening to a digital source, so this is very good, but older QS and AS Sony players are as good for this too. Music was still attached to the speakers, soundstage between the speakers. Focussed. Not bad but not spectacular neither.
Over all, good sound for the money.

Though, I would not recommend it because there are a few things Sony didn't do well :

- The balanced outputs are not using the 'balanced' standard, because the volts output is the same as unbalanced, where it should be almost double. This means the balanced outputs are useless unless you crank up the volume to compensate.
- The reaction of the player when using the buttons is not instantaneous. We are used to this with a DVD player, but, please, not on a CD player. The jotter (AMS button) therefore is worthless unless you want to get frustrated : Turning the jotter only has effect about half a second later. This results in first thinking the button does noet work and then finding you have been turning way to far and having to correct several times till you get the right track.
This alone is a reason for not buying the player but if you can get over it, and don't need the balanced outputs, then, yes, it is a good player.

For sound quality it receives 4,5 stars though because of the issues with the balanced outputs and slow reaction, I con't give it more than 3 stars for overall performance. If you don't need SACD playback, get the cheapest Sony player and one of the affordable DAC's and you will end up with a better value I thing.

This may be Sony's final statement on SACD and CD playback as they transition to Blue Ray. If so, Sony has given an awesome gift to the "audiophile" community. I have been using Sony CD players for 20 years and this unit is light years better then anything I've had in my system. The SACD playback is first rate (as expected), but the Redbook CD playback is the remarkable achievement of this player. It is superb! Kal Rubinson of Stereophile magazine called this the best CD player he has ever had in his system and Stereophile has awarded the 5400ES it's highest A+ rating. If you are like me with loads of standard CDs in your collection you should buy this player ASAP. It is truly a gift from Sony at $1500. Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to hear what is really on their CDs and SACDs. As Kal Rubinson said, it is "revelatory".