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In Reply to: RE: Oh no, I need a new player! posted by oldmkvi on March 03, 2014 at 11:26:56
I listened to stock SCD-XA5400ES for about a year before having another modified with Vacuum State Terra Firma. I have no question that in my listening space with my components the Vacuum State mods noticeably improved Redbook disc SQ. By improve I mean zero listening fatigue without any loss in resolution gain in detail. I've heard wider/deeper soundstaging on more expensive players such as the Esoteric K-03 (the transport light years better than on the Oppo/Sony players) and a tubed EAR (Redbook only) player. With Vacuum State 5400 breathing from reeds, chair squeaks, patter of audience on live recordings all sounded better with the Vacuum State unit. There is however much honesty that everyone's situation, space, hearing, components, etc. etc. vary from that of others. I think Jack Roberts Dagogo review of the Vacuum State SCD-XA5400ES was spot on, even down to his appreciative comments about the Marantz Pearl disc player which I had in shop awhile. Even with the improvements in Dac's since 2006/7 the stock 5400 is worth buying today, but I understand many want more bells and whistles of something like the top Oppo. I had the previous top Oppo and it was pretty good especially for retail price but not my favorite compared to the bone stock 5400, but especially not as good as the Vacuum State modified 5400 but that's unfair comparison in price. Better compare the modified 5400 (either Modwright or Vacuum State) with the better Marantz players.
"When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in confederacy against him."—Jonathan Swift
Edits: 03/08/14 03/08/14Follow Ups:
Hi, I agree about the CD playback with the VSE- much, much better.
SACD is too laid back for me, and the midrange is very recessed, probabaly would be interpreted as more depth, but I much prefer the tonal balance of of the stock unit.
It's not as open and spacious, but is more immediate, solid and colorful. The VSE sounds almost hazy, due to being pushed back.
Mine was the first one done in the US, and the Analog section was still in development, and the output level is a good bit lower on the VSE.
Bill Thalman was unable to raise the VSE to the 2 volts, it's a still a little lower, and I wonder if that accounts for what I'm hearing.
I plan to send it back to Bill, to have the Analog section removed and replaced with the Current version.
I don't think I got what everyone else who has one got, I hope that he can fix that! ( for more $, of course).
I should have waited, but patience is not one of my strengths!
Will report, but will be a few weeks, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, Loving my PCM D 100, and hope to get the Z1 at some point…
Your follow-up interesting. My 5400 was upgraded by Warren G. in California 2011. I've not heard any haziness in either CD or SACD playback with modified 5400. Something is not right if you've heard haziness. Please update when you get your 5400 back and put a week or two playback on it before posting. Be interested to hear your outcome. One caveat that pertains to disc players in general, poorly recorded discs will not sound that good even on those top tier Esoteric, dCS, Playback Design, etc., let alone on more modest priced players modified or not. Bill has a great reputation and should put things straight if doable.
"When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in confederacy against him."—Jonathan Swift
Did you notice any difference in Volume control setting, before/after?
I'll call Bill tomorrow, and see what's up.
n/a
Edits: 03/21/14
Welcome and Thanks! for sharing.
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