Sony XA-5400es player...Giant Killer or just Ok?

Very Good player stock and you can always have it modded by Modwright.

Chuck

So, why did Sony pull the unit from the market Rumor is that it had reliability issues. Oppo 95 would be a better choice, or a Sony 595 at $60 if you really are into sacd's.

Get a Sony 595 as mentioned above with the TRL mods. They do come up used. I have a Sony 900s with the TRL mods and it runs all over the 5400 IMHO.. The Oppo 95 is also a better choice. I had the 5400 and it is OK, not great.

A simple DAC (Wyred 4 Sound) or nicer unit (LINN DS), will trash that CD player in a very big way. And you will not have to touch a CD again either. Do not buy ANY CD player.

I suggest "do not go to computer audio yet" and get a CD player :-)

Computer Audio does not sound as good as a great CD player based on my recent experience - at least not yet. Also, it has so many twists, turns, changes, updates etc.. that I would give it more time to mature a bit.