Sony Previews Its New Flagship $3,000 SACD Player

At the recent Home Entertainment Show in San Francisco, Sony showed its
new reference standard multi-channel Super Audio CD player. The
SCD-XA9000ES features a multitude of technical advancements that enable
music enthusiasts to experience beautifully dynamic sound and take full
advantage of the more than 800 Super Audio CD titles available in the
U.S., almost half of which are multi-channel surround titles.

The SCD-XA9000ES features multi-channel management providing flexibility
and performance. Multi-channel management allows for bass re-direction
based on the various speaker systems available on the market today,
optimizing multi-channel Super Audio CD playback. Sony has equipped the
unit with a new Tri power Digital-to-Analog Converter that utilizes
eighteen separate SA DAC chips, six per channel, to deliver exceptional
precision and minimal noise for an elevated musical experience.

The SCD-XA9000ES is also Sony's first Super Audio CD player to offer an
i.LINK® digital output, making it ideal for use with the new generation
of outboard DSD converters. The i.LINK (IEEE 1394) interface has been
specifically designed to support the new "5C" Digital Transmission
Content Protection and is also fully compliant with the latest Super
Audio CD format specifications.

ES Series Enhancements

The player's optical reading system employs a dual discrete laser
pick-up mechanism, featuring two independent lasers with one optical
lens to provide optimum performance for Super Audio CDs and CDs as well
as CD-R/RW discs.