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Sony 5400 Mod

75.33.140.211
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 09:38:28
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Well, tomorrow I'm taking it Warren G. for the Vac State 5400 Mod, for Just under $1500, including 10% Sales Tax here in the Bay Area. I'm hoping to sell my XA7 cdp and 555 SACD. Any thoughts on what I should ask? I love my 5400. I'm excited and a little nervous about getting it modded, but I'm in gamblin' mood. Will report, of course!

Delay in getting it back, 2 weeks, wrong part sent, reordered. nt, posted on November 9, 2009 at 08:18:10
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

You can blame it on me., posted on November 10, 2009 at 07:54:40
Allen Wright
Manufacturer

Posts: 4729
Location: Schaffhausen
Joined: January 31, 2002
 But the correct part has been sent and Warren should have it soon, USPS customs service permitting.

Regards, Allen

RE: You can blame it on me., posted on November 10, 2009 at 09:30:02
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Thanks Allen, no blame tho. Having made misteakes before, I realize even my Diminished Capacity is diminished these days!

Thanks (nt), posted on November 10, 2009 at 15:51:46
Allen Wright
Manufacturer

Posts: 4729
Location: Schaffhausen
Joined: January 31, 2002

Can I arrange to hear it? I can come to you, or you to me, or me to Warren's...., posted on November 4, 2009 at 23:13:10
Jim Stoneburner
Reviewer

Posts: 417
Location: Silicon Valley and Santa Monica
Joined: June 3, 2003
 I live in Santa Clara near 101 and Lawrence.
I'll contact Warren and see if I can swing by while he's burning it in.....
I'm a "serious shopper."

Thanks,
Jim Stoneburner


--

Keep your ears honest: Listen to live, unamplified music every week.
I tried send you an to email, but I'm not a Carbon Based Life Form-Who Knew?, posted on November 5, 2009 at 09:34:19
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Warren is a little reclusive I think, I didn't actually get into his shop. But you're welcome to come by, in Oakland if you decide to do that. Maybe the email system for Inmates will treat you better!

RE: Oakland, posted on November 5, 2009 at 22:24:25
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 Are you in Oakland or is Warren? I am in Oakland, also, in Crocker Highlands on the Piedmont border.

Robert C. Lang
Don't know the local geography but Warren;s address is:, posted on November 6, 2009 at 04:30:40
Allen Wright
Manufacturer

Posts: 4729
Location: Schaffhausen
Joined: January 31, 2002
 --------------------------------------------------
Warren Gregoire
Warren Gregoire & Associates LLC
1933 Davis Street, Suite 276
San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
Ph: 1-800-634-0094
Fax: 510-633-9355.
email: wga@warrengregoire.com
www.warrengregoire.com/
-------------------------------------------------

Regards, Allen

RE: Don't know the local geography but Warren;s address is:, posted on November 6, 2009 at 06:45:43
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 Right near Costco! :)

Robert C. Lang
Would be cheaper if he was IN Costco!, posted on November 6, 2009 at 07:38:10
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 I'm in Maxwell Park, Oakland.

RE: Sony 5400 Mod, posted on November 4, 2009 at 17:58:08
dale88
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Location: Western Idaho
Joined: March 17, 2006
 I am jealous. I want to know all about the changes in sound you hear. I may consider having my 5400 ES done too.

I am interested not just in first impressions, but what you think of the sound, say, one week into your listening. Then what has changed after 3 weeks. That's your homework assignment, -- smile.

This is how I look when I'm smiling!!! And, Will do. nt, posted on November 4, 2009 at 18:02:41
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 .

Good for you, posted on November 4, 2009 at 14:59:28
Metralla
Audiophile

Posts: 6413
Location: San Jose, California
Joined: January 30, 2001
 Are you getting the 5400 output board and the Terra Firma Lite?

Regards,
Geoff
Yes, the whole 5400 Mod, but no Balanced Out. nt, posted on November 4, 2009 at 16:19:10
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

RE: Sony 5400 Mod, posted on November 4, 2009 at 13:46:37
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 With luck I'll have it next Wed.

RE: Sony 5400 Mod, posted on November 4, 2009 at 11:30:29
Disbeliever
 If you use HDMI for best performance the mod will probably a waste of moneyIMO a rip off.

But I don't, and We'll see. It's possible. nt, posted on November 4, 2009 at 11:37:59
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

Out of curiosity, what do you expect or hope to hear......, posted on November 4, 2009 at 10:29:18
Chuck Y
Audiophile

Posts: 3880
Joined: August 31, 2001
 after the mods are completed, that is what about the present sonics are you trying to improve? I've been looking at this unit ergo the request.

RE: Out of curiosity, what do you expect or hope to hear......, posted on November 4, 2009 at 11:08:50
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 I like the 5400 SACD playback so much more than my 555ES, I was very surprised and happy to hear a big improvement in tone quality, clarity, ease of presentation, and musical involvement. Not so much on CD, which I still find to be thin and "White" compared to my XA7, which has much more body and richness. But from what I've gathered reading various comments on the Vac State Mod, I'm guessing it's as close to the Best out there as I can come for the money, and I can deliver and pick it up, no shipping. I expect to hear an improvement equal to or greater than I got when I started with the 5400. I expect it to be more liquid, richer colors, better long term musical involvement, etc. It will be a total Investment of about $3000, I hope the best $3000 I ever spent on Gear! Also, it will play DSD disks that I could make from the Korg DSD Recorder, from rehearsals and concerts I may be in. Cool!!! I guess this like Audio Poker- It's going to cost $1500 to get in the game. I expect to be delighted.( Cut to Homer Simpson pounding his fist into his hand: Because If I'm Not.....) Smiley Face Here.

I believe you will be..., posted on November 4, 2009 at 15:02:06
Allen Wright
Manufacturer

Posts: 4729
Location: Schaffhausen
Joined: January 31, 2002
 ...very happy with the result.

Regards, Allen (Vacuum State)

RE: I believe you will be..., posted on November 4, 2009 at 16:30:28
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Thanks, I'm really looking forward to hearing it! I was at Warren's Super Secret Bunker in San Leandro today. I hope he will have time to work on it soon, you know, in between manipulating the World Economy, and bending World Leaders to his Will ( Yes, he's the One!).

You mean he's really..., posted on November 5, 2009 at 12:40:08
Mr_bill2
Audiophile

Posts: 1708
Location: NoVA
Joined: September 17, 2002




George Soros!!
OH MY GOD!!! No, wait.. No., posted on November 5, 2009 at 16:02:17
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Maybe. He looked younger in person.

Rumours about Warren are great coloured., posted on November 6, 2009 at 04:28:19
Allen Wright
Manufacturer

Posts: 4729
Location: Schaffhausen
Joined: January 31, 2002
 He's a very focussed tech who does his work with passion and I'm sure doesn't interfer with world politics.

We had a comparison between the Upgraded 5400ES and a Marantz SA-11-s2 yesterday.

The client who brought his Marantz to compare was stunned - after the first chords of the choosen track had sounded - he let out a "WHOOP" of surprise, and when quizzed later on what he heard as the difference, said:

"The room just opened up,..I could clearly hear the two voice very differentiated...it's so much clearer...etc etc etc."

He left the Marantz for Upgrading.

Regards, Allen

Well, sure, that's what he Wants you to think! Just, posted on November 6, 2009 at 07:41:28
oldmkvi
Industry Professional

Posts: 1591
Joined: April 12, 2002
 kidding. of course! I'm totally excited about having the work done, Allen.

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