any further impressions from j-bone or anyone else who has picked one up? great write-up in Stereophile this month.

Man, if that thing had digital ins, everyone here would have one already... =(

Man, if that thing had digital ins, everyone here would have one already... =(

A-fucking-men.

Justin's one sounded killer at the NJ meet.

A-fucking-men.

Justin's one sounded killer at the NJ meet.

that's high praise if it was feeding the BHSE and O2.

A-fucking-men.

Justin's one sounded killer at the NY meet.

FIFY (unless there was a NJ meet that I didnt go to)

and this was one of the best, if not the best, sources at the meet.

Sorry, I'm not from around here.

Sorry, I'm not from around here.

Here? I'm here and you're not here. Unless there's a here I didn't go to.

Here? I'm here and you're not here. Unless there's a here I didn't go to.

Here hare here.

Here hare here.

Looks more like

hear, hare, hear.

Man, if that thing had digital ins, everyone here would have one already... =(

Nope I wouldn't.

Sony + moving parts = you're gonna get fucked.

The USB would still work though.

Nope I wouldn't.

Sony + moving parts = you're gonna get fucked.

Exactly why digital inputs are a necessity.

One of the posters on AudioCircle claims the XA-5500ES will be out around October. Maybe it will have a digital input.

I would buy that for a dollar!

Alan, is that another SACD player?

One of the posters on AudioCircle claims the XA-5500ES will be out around October. Maybe it will have a digital input.

Or going by past experience it will be a dumbed-down version of the XA-5400ES.

Alan, is that another SACD player?

No idea. The guy only posted that he heard from a Sony rep that the 5500ES is coming in October.

Hey may have been confused -- there is supposed to be a corresponding receiver coming out soon, perhaps that was meant?

Hey may have been confused -- there is supposed to be a corresponding receiver coming out soon, perhaps that was meant?

I think this is it: STR-DA5400ES | ES Series Home Theater A/V Receiver (7.1-channel) | Sony | SonyStyle USA

At least according to the naming system.

Well, I'm not sure about that one, but the STR-DA6400ES receiver should sound the same as this player (according to KG), and it DOES have digital inputs. But then it costs almost twice as much and doesn't seem to have balanced outs. Still tempting, though...

AudiogoN ForSale: Sony str-da6400es Faroudja DCDi

$1600

The Sony STR-DA6400ES features an ethernet port, allowing you to stream content from a PC

Anyone know if audio over Cat5 has drawbacks?

AudiogoN ForSale: Sony str-da6400es Faroudja DCDi

$1600

Anyone know if audio over Cat5 has drawbacks?

I would go and see what it supports as far as file type etc.

I looked at the receiver but with no balanced it's of little use to me. I've decided against DSD anyway. After my little DAC showdown next week I will likely be done DAC shopping for the foreseeable future.

Its hard to believe that with all the crap its got on the backside, there's no XLR out.

I've been comparing the 5400 and 6400 receivers. Basically the 6400 has ten more watts amplification, ethernet, and something called H.A.T.S audio technology. Not sure if that justifies the price increase.

Hey may have been confused -- there is supposed to be a corresponding receiver coming out soon, perhaps that was meant?

I think this is it: STR-DA5400ES | ES Series Home Theater A/V Receiver (7.1-channel) | Sony | SonyStyle USA

At least according to the naming system.

Yep, they already have receivers STR-DA5400ES and STR-DA6400ES. I believe they are introducing a preamp/processor though.