Replacing SONY XA9000ES SACD/CD Player- Suggestions for Comparable Sound?

I've had a SONY XA9000ES SACD/CD Player for 8 years or so & the laser/disc reading mechanism is starting to go, for the 3rd time! As some of you may know, this player is a lemon (which I inconveniently found out subsequent to purchase), which contains some inherent flaw that caused SONY to pull it from the market. When working properly, however, it is a great sounding player, so I resigned myself to spending ~$400 every 4 years or so to replace the laser. Problem this time is, new replacement lasers are difficult to locate, so I am finally going to look for a replacement.

Any suggestions concerning other SACD/CD players out there with comparable (or better) sound? Don't really want to go beyond the $2K or so range if possible.

Noticed that a number of members use OPPO players. Their BDP-105 player, a combination player that plays virtually everything, has good reviews. Could anyone familiar with it comment concerning the quality of the sound coming from this unit?

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.

Steve

 

Wish I could help but I'm in the same boat with my SCD-1. From what I've been reading though Marantz seems to be the one I will eventually gravitate towards.

 

I use a Denon 1510 SACD player which I like & Marantz I'm sure will do something very good. I nearly went with Marantz myself but the looks , build & knowing BBC radio use Denon professionally clinched it for me.

 

Sony service can't find you a new laser? I wouldn't think they'd want to admit defeat like that.

 

I owned the XA9000ES. Sounded pretty good. I personally prefer the sound of the newer OPPO units, BDP-95 and 105. And they don't glitch on hybrid SACDs, which drove me batty with the Sony.

 

$400 - even at full retail the replacement assembly should be $170. Easy to fit yourself.

 

Indeed, hybrid sacds are my biggest problem. Now reads cd layer only. Eventually, if past history is any indication, it will stop reading everything. Now only does so intermittently.

 

My tech tried to obtain some when doing a similar repair & they sent him used lasers from Japan, which failed time & time again.

 

Thank you. Wish I could find one.

 

The 'XA9000ES was available for a number of years. I don't think that flaw caused Sony to pull it from the market. It was simply replaced by the 'XA5400ES at about half the cost. Some folks say the 'XA5400ES is a better player. It may still be available. I have one and love it.

Note that I am not denying that there was a design flaw with the 'XA9000ES. I just don't know how widespread it was. Nevertheless, it was available for quite awhile.

 

Thank you Keith. I should look into the 5400 as I love the sound of the 9000, when its working properly.

Got my information concerning the 9000 being defective from a friend who owns a SONY retail outlet. Just assumed he was correct as it is about to go through its 3rd laser in 8 years.

 

I really enjoy my oppo 105D FWIW, excellent all around player and really shines on SACD as well !!

 

I still have a Sony SCD-XA777ES (predecessor of the XA9000ES) and I owned an Oppo 95 for a short while (replaced it with an Oppo 93 because of the fan noise). I didn't think the Oppo 95 was in the same league as the Sony, which has a much more subtle and detailled sound (stereo playback).

 

Look at the Yamaha CDS-1000 ($1300) and CDS-2000 ($2000-balanced outputs and other upgrades). They are built like tanks ("heavy duty" overall construction, cast aluminum drawer, brushless spindle motors, well-regulated and filtered PS) and have the smoothest loading mechanism I've ever seen (it is cable rather than gear driven and should last as long as the player itself). I can vouch for the CDS-1000 having pretty much faultless (to my ears) SACD playback. I've not heard the 2000, but it supposedly does upgrade the overall SQ vs. the 1000, in addition to having balanced outs.

I've not heard the Sony 9000, but I have heard a 5400 and think the Yamaha is definitely in the same league; it's hard to say which one is "better" because at this level of performance/price, any perceived differences/preferences are primarily subjective. However, the Yamaha models are clearly the winners in terms of overall build quality and appearance, and simply exude much more of a "high-end" feel.

 

Many thanks to all for the excellent suggestions.

Very much appreciated.

 

I will give you that - my 5400 is a little ordinary in appearance. But that does not matter that much to me.

 

See if you can find an AVI Lab Series player. Minimalist design. Redbook only. Sounds terrific IMO. Build is excellent and you should get a used one for around $500 or so. Original selling price in the UK was £1500 a decade ago.

 

No problem. Sony has made great SACD players over the years, but laser problems have been a common issue. I just am not aware of Sony pulling a player from the market because of it. While most owners considered the laser failure premature, there generally was not a rash of laser failures of what would be considered new players.

 

Thank you for your comments.

May I ask if your 5400 has had any issues with reading discs, especially hybrid SACDs?

 

I've had an XA9000ES for years, and have only had to replace the laser pick up once. However, I was also told that the pick up "wears out" (not sure I understand how that works). The player is in my office, and doesn't get much use, so I've been OK. Frankly, I would be wary of the 5400 as well unless someone told me that they use a different part.

 

I would also recommend the XA5400ES. Listening to mine as I write, and it is a true delight.

 

No problems here, and I had the issue on my XA777ES, where I replaced the laser - which did solve the problem. The optical block in the 5400 has been trouble free.

 

Nope, no problemo, trouble free. Just lovely music

 

I've had no such issues with my 'XA5400ES in nearly four years.

 

Decided on the SONY XA5400ES, as it will replicate the sound of the XA9000ES at a minimum, which I love, without the issues associated with the 9000.

Thanks to all for your valued input & assistance.

Steve