SONY XA-5400ES

PW22.06.2009

Digital sources

The Sony image fades like an old photography in the audiophile community. And this is pity as the XA5400ES is a very good CD player, great SACD player and amazing multichannel player. On top it is absolute bargain at its asking price.

100% reference

Function and form

97%
Ease of use
67%
Sound
88%
Appearance

Sony's HATS technology (= High Quality Audio Transmission System) transfers HDMI data upsampled to 2,8224MHz with negligible jitter levels. The jitter values of the X5400ES have even improved over its predecessor, the already great performing XA9000ES. To make a use of the HDMI link a similarly capable device is usedd - Sony's STR-DA2400ES receiver can be a good match (it converts the DSD into PCM standard, however, so full SACD will not be available).

The XA5400ES is a visual copy of the XA9000ES. I regret it is not available in Sony's champaign finish, Sony only offers black version. Most controls are available from the top slanted part of the player's face plate. I like that Sony continues using the toggle button to select and play the tracks. As a bonus the player offers quality variable phono output. It is not any surprise that ergonomy and control is clean and intuitive.

The XA5400ES provides XLR and RCA outputs plus switchable coaxial and optical outputs from its transport section. The digital outputs (except of the HDMI) will not allow you to use the DSD signal.

Bass management

Weight
77
Slam
74
Articulation
76

Clarity & delicacy

Detail
72
Air
70
Transparency
70

The playback in stereo mode is very good. There is sufficient amount of resolution, great dynamics and bass that digs deeper than with most competitors. The XA5400ES continues in the typical Sony house style - the music is served on a golden plate with typical elegance and a hint of sweet softness. Consequently the music is not sterile or cold rather very polished and sophisticated the same way like Luxman or Accuphase's high-end players. When the playback is switched into the SACD mode the playback of the XA5400ES challenges most CD players within five thousand euro range. For example, when I compared the Sony with my resident Accuphase DP-78 I found little to no difference for SACD discs. 

Tonal accuracy

Timbre
71
Dynamics
70
Temporal resolution
70

The miracles start to hapen when the player is paired with the Sony multichannel amplifier. Welcome to The Pleasuredome is a focal point of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's SACD remaster. In multichannel the listener is thrown into the middle of forest of sounds that absorbs him like a tornado whirling in hypnotic rhythms. This disc is a great example how to cleverly exploit the multichannel capabilities without cheap tricks. I was totally enthralled.

Spatial resolution

Holography
83
Soundstage width
83
Soundstage depth
83

When listening to orchestral music in the SACD multichannel mode the additional channels mostly do not provide a lot of musical information rather their task is to recreate the atmosphere and ambience - like with Beethoven's Symphony #3 (Osmo Vanska, Minnesota Orchestra). The sound was full of textures and dynamic contrasts that ranged from almost whispered passages and detonating fortissimos. Through the Sony it was pleasure to savor the inverted positions of the players with the string section on the right and cellos on the left. In the stereo DSD the sound was maybe not comparable to the best high end players I auditioned but the multichannel experience is something that must be heard - it certainly elevates the listening experience to new levels. When I switched back to 'only' stereo it was like the world collapsed.

Price as reviewed:36 000,- Kč

Recommended resellers

Sony Czech, Praha

Associated components

  • Sources: Accuphase DP-78, Pioneer PD-905
  • Amplifiers: Audio Research LS17/Reference 110
  • Loudspeakers: Usher Dancer Be-10

Gallery

ACCUPHASE DG-58

The Accuphase DG-58 is a 4th generation 'voicing equalizer' of Japanese manufacturer. The device won me over with its impeccable finish, top notch operation and a friendly user interface. It comes in traditional satin gold with high ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
96%

ACCUPHASE DP-720 SACD

Accuphase engineers further expanded on the features that had made their   DP-900/DC-900 transport/DAC combo so phenomenal - the result is the one-box DP-720. This player is built with almost fanatical attention to detail. The ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
94%

AUDIOLAB 8300CD

The 8300CD is a preamplifier, a CD player and a DAC (ESS Sabre), all in one neat package. Audiolab offers 8300MB monoblocks that are half-width of the 8300CD so the two monos and one source component create a compact high end system. ...

Recommended resellers

Horn Distribution, Praha, +420 272 656 485

Sound
44%

AUDIOQUEST Dragonfly Red

The original USB DAC of Audioquest happened to be a small revolution back in 2012. Four years later there are already more newborn dragonflies – v1.2, Black and Red. This review is focusing on the latest Red version that has ...

Recommended resellers

AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232

Sound
48%

AYON CD-07s

Smooth liquidity is another typical element of the Ayon sound. The sound is analog-like, viscose, fluid, flowing, smooth. You may as well discard all these adjectives and replace them with the single formulation: the Ayon is a ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
63%

AYON CD-35 Signature SACD

The CD-35 is one of the most versatile digital players available. In its “Signature” version (the one we used throughout this review) it replaces a CD and an SACD player, a highly capable DAC, and an excellent preamplifier. Thus the ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
91%

AYON CD-5s

The Ayon CD-5s is not a revolutionary different CD player from Ayon CD-07s which we used as a benchmark. However, its topology and component base are fine tuned to perfection plus a bit of high-end attractivity is thrown into the ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
77%
Back to category