Sony XA3ES CD Player
Hoffman
Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
appreciated.
adam...@deesoft.wa.com
Liming M. Voo
Hoffman (san...@interaccess.com) wrote:
: Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
: Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
: ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
: like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
: appreciated.
I have had one for a week and listened it every day. IMHO, it has a smooth,
balanced presentation. I don't know how to tell "stage depth" though.
Please see my other post for more detail.
Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)
Firth of Fifth wrote:
>
> Hoffman wrote:
> >
> > Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
> > Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
> > ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
> > like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
> > appreciated.
>
> what I say over and over again, but...
Then don't :)
ACDPRO is bettr
Meridian 508-20 is better
> I've owned this unit for three months...it's fantastic.
That explains it!!!! Gotta justify that purchase, right Brian!
Really - we know its good. I had one here over the weekend. But - we
hooked up DDEv3.0 and DTIv2.0, and there was a clear improvement -
sepecially in depth of image & in soundstage width. The duynamics also
improved considerably.
Cheers
Zip
Firth of Fifth
Hoffman wrote:
>
> Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
> Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
> ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
> like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
> appreciated.
Geez, the interest in the XA3ES goes in waves. I don't want to repeat
what I say over and over again, but...
I've owned this unit for three months...it's fantastic. Smooth? Yup.
Actually, double yup. Balanced? Sure. Good stage depth? No, it's great.
Well, it's hard to credit your CD player for soundstaging depth, but my
system with the player in it has placed some musical images way back
from the front of my speakers. In your face? Ixnay.
Great player. You lose the digital harshness, but retain the digital
transparency and accuracy. How does it compare to the XA7ES? I can't say
since I've never even seen the big boy. Gabe Weiner, who is a
professional audio engineer and has used both, tells me the 3ES comes
very close to the 7ES. Of course, the latter has been called one of the
best players on the market...
--
*********************************************************************
("`-''-/").___..--''"`-._ Brian E. Gabel
`6_ 6 ) `-. ( ).`-.__.`) Pennsylvania State University
(_Y_.)' ._ ) `._ `. ``-..-' Management Science and
_..`--'_..-_/ /--'_.' ,' Information Systems
( ( ),-'' ( ( ),' ((!.-' http://www.personal.psu.edu/beg103
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Stewart Pinkerton
Hoffman <san...@interaccess.com> writes:
>Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
>Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
>ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
>like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
>appreciated.
It has virtually ALL of the sonics of the XA7ES, in fact I'm just now
awaiting e-mail from a correspondent in a professional studio situation.
He has been evaluating the Meridian 508-20 against the Sony XA7ES as a
studio reference player and is getting hold of a XA3ES to see if there
is ANY audible difference! If it's of interest, the big Sony is felt to
have slightly more bass than the 508-20, but otherwise they come out
very similar, with masses of low-level detail and superb quality. My
correspondent finds the 508-20 a little cool in his ultra-high
definition professional monitor system so prefers the XA7ES, but is keen
to find out if the simpler analogue circuitry and conventional transport
of the XA3ES make that player sound worse, better or just the same as
the XA7ES.
--
Stewart Pinkerton | If you can't measure what you're making,
A S P Consulting | how do you know when you've got it made?
(44) 1509 880112 |
"I canna change the laws o' physics" - the other Scotty
Jeff Chen
adam...@deesoft.wa.com wrote:
>
> Hoffman wrote:
> >
> > Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
> > Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
> > ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
> > like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
> > appreciated.
Can anyone tell me what is the ES CD's output stage? What is the
output impedance and how its volumn control is done? I am looking for a
good CD to directly talk to an amp. I try Marantz CD-63. It is very
good. It has a 200 ohm output impedance. The output stage is discrete
cuicute. The volume control is done in digital domain. I am thinking if
ES is better.
Jeff
John William Ware
In article <551rqf$2...@newsgate.dircon.co.uk>, a...@borealis.com wrote:
> Hoffman <san...@interaccess.com> writes:
>
> >Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
> >Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
> >ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
> >like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
> >appreciated.
>
> It has virtually ALL of the sonics of the XA7ES, in fact I'm just now
> awaiting e-mail from a correspondent in a professional studio situation.
> He has been evaluating the Meridian 508-20 against the Sony XA7ES as a
> studio reference player and is getting hold of a XA3ES to see if there
> is ANY audible difference! If it's of interest, the big Sony is felt to
> have slightly more bass than the 508-20, but otherwise they come out
> very similar, with masses of low-level detail and superb quality. My
> correspondent finds the 508-20 a little cool in his ultra-high
> definition professional monitor system so prefers the XA7ES, but is keen
> to find out if the simpler analogue circuitry and conventional transport
> of the XA3ES make that player sound worse, better or just the same as
> the XA7ES.
>
> Stewart Pinkerton | If you can't measure what you're making,
> A S P Consulting | how do you know when you've got it made?
> (44) 1509 880112 |
>
> "I canna change the laws o' physics" - the other Scotty
Stewart, please post the conclusions of your correspondent at your nearest
convenience. Thanks in advance !
J_W
Stewart Pinkerton
"Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)" <z...@netrunner.net> writes:
>Firth of Fifth wrote:
>>
>> Hoffman wrote:
>> >
>> > Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
>> > Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
>> > ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
>> > like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
>> > appreciated.
>>
>> Geez, the interest in the XA3ES goes in waves. I don't want to repeat
>> what I say over and over again, but...
>Then don't :)
>ACDPRO is bettr
>Meridian 508-20 is better
>> I've owned this unit for three months...it's fantastic.
>That explains it!!!! Gotta justify that purchase, right Brian!
>Really - we know its good. I had one here over the weekend. But - we
>hooked up DDEv3.0 and DTIv2.0, and there was a clear improvement -
>sepecially in depth of image & in soundstage width. The duynamics also
>improved considerably.
That's around $2,000 total right? I'm glad to hear it's better!
--
Firth of Fifth
Jeff Chen wrote:
>
> adam...@deesoft.wa.com wrote:
> >
> > Hoffman wrote:
> > >
> > > Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
> > > Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
> > > ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
> > > like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
> > > appreciated.
>
> Can anyone tell me what is the ES CD's output stage? What is the
> output impedance and how its volumn control is done? I am looking for a
> good CD to directly talk to an amp. I try Marantz CD-63. It is very
> good. It has a 200 ohm output impedance. The output stage is discrete
> cuicute. The volume control is done in digital domain. I am thinking if
> ES is better.
From my XA3ES manual...all of the three (7ES, 5ES, 3ES) have a load
impedance of "over 50 kilohms"; no mention of output impedance (are they
the same thing?). No jargon about if the output stage is an IC or a
discrete circuit. I do know that the volume control (a small headphone
volume control type knob) is fully analog and has remote control
ability. I have driven the amplifier section of my NAD 314 directly from
the variable outputs of my XA3ES with success.
Todd Griffin
>adam...@deesoft.wa.com wrote:
>>
>> Hoffman wrote:
>> >
>> > Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
>> > Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
>> > ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
>> > like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
>> > appreciated.
I own its big brother as well as the unit you are talking about. Buy the
XA3ES. Not because it sounds better, but because it sounds the same. Also,
do it beacuse of the build quality. Build quality that many of the more
esoteric and more expensive players don't come close to. If things change
in the future(they will) it will also make a great transport. Hint: I have
talked to dealers in the back of Audio that have new or demo units of the
CDP777ES (77?-last years model)available for $700-800. This is the XA3ES'
big brother from last year and was many a reviewers reference(still is for
that matter). A few calls could get you a sweet deal.
Liming M. Voo
Todd Griffin (tgri...@intrex.net) wrote:
: talked to dealers in the back of Audio that have new or demo units of the
: CDP777ES (77?-last years model)available for $700-800. This is the XA3ES'
: big brother from last year and was many a reviewers reference(still is for
: that matter). A few calls could get you a sweet deal.
I saw one of those at a local store selling for the similar price range.
Thomas Nulla
Hoffman <san...@interaccess.com> wrote:
>Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
>Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
>ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
>like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
>appreciated.
I am delighted with my XA3ES. The depth, detail, and smoothness
appear clearly superior to the already fine D/A converters in my
TA-E2000ES in level-matched but non-blind tests. The construction
seems to be solid, and the ergonomics are superbly thought-out. In
appearance it is a dead ringer for the XA7ES.
AFAIK, no local dealer sells Sony ES, so I bought the XA3 mailorder
for well under $600. It's flattering that even its detractors are
comparing it to players costing MUCH more.
I don't think it will disappoint you.
Thomas
http://www.io.com/~nulla (high fidelity, science fiction, etc.)
*** The humor-impaired should avoid this page. ***
John Dunlavy RAHE archive, Bedini device design, much other stuff.
"Men are from Mars, bigots are from Uranus."
Stewart Pinkerton
Hoffman <san...@interaccess.com> writes:
>Anyone out there have any listening experience with the Sony XA3ES?
>Does it have any of the sonics of its $3000 big brother? I'm interest-
>ed in a smooth, balanced presentation and good stage depth. I don't
>like an "in your face" kind of sound. Any comments would be greatly
>appreciated.
As an update on my previous post on this subject, I've had some feedback
from a guy who is a recording industry professional and has been seeking
a new CD reference playback system for the studio.
Having narrowed the field down to one-box players and then to the Sony
XA7ES and Meridian 508-20 as giving the finest sound at ANY price, the
Sony was preferred in the ultra high-resolution studio monitor playback
system (somebody get the nasal hair clippers, I can still hear them
rustle when he breathes!) as the more 'lush' balance of the XA7ES was
felt to offer a more pleasant sound while not losing the superb
low-level detail and natural decay for which the 508-20 was praised.
Just for curiosity, an XA3ES was obtained for comparison, to see if the
simpler output stage and low-jitter 'Fine Drive' transport mechanism
could make up for the cheaper power supplies and give equivalent sound
for a third of the money! The bad news is that it is NOT so good as the
XA7ES, although general opinion held that it was pretty close and
fantastic value for money. Comparisons were made level-matched and using
two sonically identical CD-R copies from the same master.
Differences between the '7' and '3' were noted as follows:
The 3 doesn't sound quite as good as the 7, but considering the price
difference, it is _terrific_!
The 3 is a little 'transistory' compared to the 7, a little edgier (and
maybe just brighter, period).
The stereo image is not as deep and wide as the 7, but still good, as is
the level of detail.
On one of the tracks used for testing, there is a slight 'sss' in
one of the vocal lines, on the 7, this 'sss' sounds like it is connected
to the rest of the rest of the spectrum, on the 3, it sticks out a
little more and 'spits' slightly. Not a REAL sibilance problem, just
more natural on the 7.
The same 'Current Pulse' DAC is used as the 7 but this time the I/V,
filter, and output are all TI 5532's (not surface-mount). De-emp and
muting are done with transistors. The power transformer in the 3 makes
the Meridians' look big in comparison, as it is a puny 20VA. A single
regulator board is used for all stages including servo.
The overall construction is a bit 'cheesy', with much less emphasis on
vibration control and shielding compared to the 7. (and it ALL costs
money!)
---------------------
The bottom line here appears to be that if you can spring the $2000 or
so for the XA7ES and your system has a bright and forward 'detail hound'
balance, go for it! If your system is a little more laid back (such as
my Krell and Apogee Duetta combo) then the 'cooler' sound of the
Meridian 508-20 may be better suited. If you can't afford the price of
entry however, then the XA3ES remains outstanding value at $600 or so
typical price. From the context of the reports, it looks like it will be
virtually flawless if combined with sweet silk-dome tweeters in speakers
such as the new Mission 'Freedom' range, especially the superb 754 which
combined with the very good Sony TA-FA3ES amplifier would give quite
some $3000 system!
It's only fair to mention that this was a restricted comparison, the
$1200 Audio Alchemy ACD-Pro and $3500 Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1 are also
said to be excellent players, the SF may appeal more to tube fans!
Steve Parus
nu...@io.com (Thomas Nulla) wrote:
>I am delighted with my XA3ES. The depth, detail, and smoothness
>appear clearly superior to the already fine D/A converters in my
>TA-E2000ES in level-matched but non-blind tests. The construction
>seems to be solid, and the ergonomics are superbly thought-out. In
>appearance it is a dead ringer for the XA7ES.
How does this compare to the XA1ES ?
How does the XA1ES compare to other ~$300 - $350 CD players ?