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McIntosh MCD500 vs. SONY SCD-XA5400ES duel, anyone?

Dmitry

Dmitry

Jazz Freak
I have a Sony SCD-XA5400ES; if anyone along the Rhode Island-NYC corridor would be interested in a side-by-side audition of the two, I could bring it over, or vice versa, host you.
I am really curious to put these two against one another.
 
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Hello Dmitry, and welcome to AK. Nothing to offer other than a question. Could you tell us where the SCD-XA5400ES was made?

Have owned the SCD-777ES and SCD-1 in the past and found the MVP-861 to be the better sounding and easier to use piece.
 
MX117.MC7150 said:
Could you tell us where the SCD-XA5400ES was made?
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In the world of high end audio the single biggest problem that manufacturers face is finding enough buyers, I still can not understand why Sony discontinued the XA5400ES with such a heavy demand for that product.
The player is assembled in Malaysia.
Comparing the two players is not so simple, Sony is MCH player via HDMI, Mac is Stereo only.

Vahe
 
The SCD-XA5400ES is made in Malaysia.
MCH performance is not interesting/feasible to me. I'm strictly 2ch.
 
Dmitry said:
MCH performance is not interesting/feasible to me. I'm strictly 2ch.
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For an unbiased opinion post your question on SA-CD.net.
This is McIntosh form and all Mac product are considered superior to other brands.

Vahe
 
sony vs. mac

i replaced my scd-777es with my mcd500. no comparison. mac is better is all regards. sony was good at the time, but too slow, no digital inputs, no balanced outputs, and sound not as full. i realize the mac is a decade newer, but there was no comparison.

peter
 
pagpc said:
i replaced my scd-777es with my mcd500. no comparison. mac is better is all regards. sony was good at the time, but too slow, no digital inputs, no balanced outputs, and sound not as full. i realize the mac is a decade newer, but there was no comparison.

peter
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Peter, for the purpose of a reverse comparison, I have the 1997 McIntosh MCD7009 and the 2008 Sony SCD-XA5400ES, and Sony trounces the redbook performance of the Mac in every aspect - detail, soundstage, definition, instrument separation, etc.
That is why I am so curious to put the MCD500 and the SCD-XA5400ES in a side-by-side audition. I hope someone steps up to the plate.
 
I previously owned two Sony ES CDPs and while they were both excellent, solid machines, they, with no disrespect to the Sonys at all, didn't hold a candle to my MCD500. The Mac is light years ahead of both in build, operation and sound.
 
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I've compared the 2005-vintage Sony DVP-555ES to the McIntosh MCD7009, and there was no contest, Mac won hands down, in every aspect of the red book playback. Then I compared the Mac to the Sony 5400ES, and Mac was soundly defeated.
 
Dmitry said:
I've compared the 2005-vintage Sony DVP-555ES to the McIntosh MCD7009, and there was no contest, Mac won hands down, in every aspect of the red book playback. Then I compared the Mac to the Sony 5400ES, and Mac was soundly defeated.
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The MCD7009 was first manufactured back in 1995, your Sony XA5400ES is from 2009. A lot of changes have taken place in the digital world during the past 15 years. I suggest you bring the Sony into a McIntosh dealer and do your own comparison. Also, bring your American Express card along, don't leave home without it! :D
 
bradleyc said:
The MCD7009 was first manufactured back in 1995, your Sony XA5400ES is from 2009. A lot of changes have taken place in the digital world during the past 15 years. I suggest you bring the Sony into a McIntosh dealer and do your own comparison. Also, bring your American Express card along, don't leave home without it! :D
Click to expand...

I don't want to waste McIntosh dealer's time. I am not in the market for a new sacd player yet, having just purchased the Sony 5400, even if Mac clearly bests it. This 'side-by-side' would be strictly for fun, and experience for all the parties involved. I could also bring the MCD7009 along.
 
For what it's worth - I don't have the XA5400ES, but I do have the XA9000ES, which preceded it. I compared it to the Mac 301, and on two channel redbook, I thought that the Mac sounded better, much more natural with better bass. With two-channel SACD, however, the Sony was just amazingly transparent and detailed; in some ways better than the Mac, although a little "clinical". The 5400 seems like a bargain, but my experience would lead me to suspect that the Mac will sound better on redbook - whether it's worth the price difference is another question, and that depends on what you can afford.
 
The way I would describe the difference between the 1995 MCD7009 and the 2008 SCD-XA5400ES is that Sony is quite a bit more transparent, precise, clear, in other words, McIntosh sounds 'dated', if such a description is indicative of anything. I will keep the old Mac for transport duties, in case I will be purchasing a DAC in the future. It's the last remaining component from my first decent stereo, and will stay with me for sentimental reasons, if nothing else. We've been through a lot [of music] together.
I am sure that there are better cd players than the one in SCD-XA5400ES, but as a single box, it's a bargain, especially if one considers the remarkably good SACD performance.
 
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I am very interested in the XA5400. There are still a few out there new. I may get one before it's all gone. I don't understand why Sony killed the player. They keep bring out crap and killing the good.

If I were you, I would call Mike at Audio Classics. I'm sure he would be happy to let you play around with the MCD500. If the MCD500 wins, I'm sure you will be itching to get one so AC may have a future customer for being so kind in letting you play there. :) It's a win win.
 
I don't think Sony officially killed it but there are some resource constraints in some countries. I'd love to get the 500 but the Sony fits my current disc player budget better. It would be very interesting to hear them both back to back. Both have gotten a ton of rave reviews.

Jblnut
 
Anyone do this comparison yet? I am selling my 7009 specifically to get the Sony 5400 based on what I've read here. I just can't afford the new Macs as they are very expensive for my budget.
 
I don't have the MCD500, but I do own a 5400. You will not be disappointed in the Sony. I almost want to get two. Maybe......
 
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