[bobnfrances]

I have an old Sony CDP-650ESD from the 1980's.   How much better are the newer SACD players & which one do you recommend?
Thanks

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Quote:

I have an old Sony CDP-650ESD from the 1980's.   How much better are the newer SACD players & which one do you recommend?
Thanks

 
The SCD-595 WAS a good buy, but now sellers are charging more than original retail price.  I still have one in the box sitting in the closet.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SCD-CE595-5-Disc-Super-Player/dp/B00029U13A
 

 

[purk]

Quote:

 
The SCD-595 WAS a good buy, but now sellers are charging more than original retail price.  I still have one in the box sitting in the closet.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SCD-CE595-5-Disc-Super-Player/dp/B00029U13A
 

 
 
Those is nice, but the best of the Sony 5-Disc changer is the Sony SCD-C333ES.  It is the first generation with dedicated stereo output jacks.  The SCD-C555ES was more modern machine with a multi-channel playback; however, the C333ES received more favorable reviews due to its superior 2-channel playback.  Speaking of a modded player, my SACDmod C555ES was a golden stardard 7 - 8 years ago.  
 
Oh, the CE595 was developed as a based machine for the SCD-C222ES if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Tony Plachy]

Quote:

I have an old Sony CDP-650ESD from the 1980's.   How much better are the newer SACD players & which one do you recommend?
Thanks

 
There are many good SACD players out there, some have been reviewed in this forum.  It would help in giving you suggestions if we knew what your budget is for a new player. 

 

[purk]

Quote:

I have an old Sony CDP-650ESD from the 1980's.   How much better are the newer SACD players & which one do you recommend?
Thanks

If you have the fund, get the XA5400ES while it last.  Very good machine in a stock form.

 

[Tony Plachy]

Quote:

If you have the fund, get the XA5400ES while it last.  Very good machine in a stock form.

 
A ditto on this, I bought a 5400 as a back-up in case my 11 year old SCD-1 or my 11+ year old DVP-S9000ES fail.  The 5400 sounds very good and very close to the sound of my vintage players.  I got mine for around $1100 about two years ago. 

 

[purk]

Quote:

 
A ditto on this, I bought a 5400 as a back-up in case my 11 year old SCD-1 or my 11+ year old DVP-S9000ES fail.  The 5400 sounds very good and very close to the sound of my vintage players.  I got mine for around $1100 about two years ago. 

I do miss my SCD-1.  It is such a beautiful player to look at and operate.  Sadly, the redbook on it has been surpassed by the current players and DAC in a $1000 range.  Still, its SACD playback still hold its own against today's player.  Speaking of it Tony, do you prefer the redbook on the 5400ES more than the SCD-1?  I did.

 

[Tony Plachy]

Quote:

I do miss my SCD-1.  It is such a beautiful player to look at and operate.  Sadly, the redbook on it has been surpassed by the current players and DAC in a $1000 range.  Still, its SACD playback still hold its own against today's player.  Speaking of it Tony, do you prefer the redbook on the 5400ES more than the SCD-1?  I did.

 
The only time I listen to CD's is in my car.  I cannot remember the last time I played a CD in my main system.  My digital listening indoors is almost exclusively SACD.

 

[Audio-Omega]

Is 5400ES still in production ?  I haven't seen the 220/240 volt version anywhere and that version is nearly double the price.

 

[zerodeefex]

I'm thinking of putting my XA-5400ES up. What is a reasonable used price for the thing these days?

 

[purk]

Quote:

I'm thinking of putting my XA-5400ES up. What is a reasonable used price for the thing these days?

Probably around 750 to 850 used on ebay.  I sold mine on audiogon for around $775 a year ago.

 

[Tony Plachy]

Quote:

Is 5400ES still in production ?  I haven't seen the 220/240 volt version anywhere and that version is nearly double the price.

 Apparently it is (at least in the 120V version):
 
http://store.sony.com/p/SCD-XA5400ES/en/p/SCDXA5400ES
 
The only place I could find it for sale was the Sony website.  I bought mine about two years ago at j&r in nyc, but could not find it on their website today.

 

[zerodeefex]

Probably around 750 to 850 used on ebay.  I sold mine on audiogon for around $775 a year ago.

Thank you! I'll try for $725 locally then. Super helpful.

 

[sterling1]

I still enjoy my Sony VDP-S9000ES; but, since it's a stereo only player for SACD'S, and most of my SACD's are multi-channel, I've been thinking about buying a 5400ES to enjoy multi-channel, which is now possible, with the 5400 back in production. Thing is, the 5400 does not have multi-channel RCA output, only HDMI; and, I do not have HDMI input on either of my pre/pros. If there were some sort of HDMI to RCA converter out there it would be a done deal. Not having found such a converter, I'm also thinking about buying an OPPO 105 for multi-channel SACD playback. I don't expect either of these players to sound better for stereo recordings than my S9000ES; but, I am excited about the what it might feel like to listen to my tunes in multi-channel over my magnificent surround sound system with it's bass management.

 

[purk]

Quote:

I still enjoy my Sony VDP-S9000ES; but, since it's a stereo only player for SACD'S, and most of my SACD's are multi-channel, I've been thinking about buying a 5400ES to enjoy multi-channel, which is now possible, with the 5400 back in production. Thing is, the 5400 does not have multi-channel RCA output, only HDMI; and, I do not have HDMI input on either of my pre/pros. If there were some sort of HDMI to RCA converter out there it would be a done deal. Not having found such a converter, I'm also thinking about buying an OPPO 105 for multi-channel SACD playback. I don't expect either of these players to sound better for stereo recordings than my S9000ES; but, I am excited about the what it might feel like to listen to my tunes in multi-channel over my magnificent surround sound system with it's bass management.

 
I also have the N/P/E9000ES just like you and I've been through that road.  I believe your best bet is to sell the combo, and upgrade to the STR-DA9000ES & DA7100ES and take the advantage of the Sony digital amplifier system via i-link connection.  The DA9000ES is around $800 to 1200 depending on the condition.  It has more power, but the DA7100ES is nearly as good and can be obtained for nearly half the price in the used market.  The above amplifiers in connection with the DVP-9100ES playing SACD via i-link connection is just pure bliss and for a relatively good price.  My N/P/E 9000ES are now retired and now in a backup status.