xa5400es, emm labs, Meridian for classical piano.

Don't make a final decision until you check out the oppo 95. I've compared the 5400 to the 95 and my ears give the edge to the 95. Source media in the comparison was female vocal, not piano, so it may not be fair.

You want to compare the Oppo to an $18,000 player?

You can get the xa5400es for under $1000.

I have both the Sony 5400ES and the Oppo 95. I modified them using Dan Wright of Modrights tube mods. I also had the Playback Designs cd player that retails for 15,000.00. The Sony and Oppo both sound way better than the Playback. Overall I prefer the Oppo 95.

Had PD, 5400 (regular & modwright), Accuphase 75V, and EMM is the best for me, so I'm settled with EMM now (permanently I believe). EMM has the most reach and the most transparent, controlled, satisfying bass for me. (I even auditioned the Burmester and still liked EMM better.)