does anyone know of one? I don't care if it doesn't play dvd video, just the audio. It would save on cables and having to buy seperate players !

You're looking for what is often called a "universal player". There are quite a few of them around these days. The Denon 2900 is one example (at the more expensive end of the scale) but I believe a few people on this board have the 2900 and are really happy with it.

I think you can get universal players as low as a couple of hundred $$ but don't remember any specifics right now.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DenonDVD-2900-reviewp1.html

[edit] Ahh, here we go. Pioneer 563A and Denon 2200 are more affordable and seem to be well regarded. I have no personal experience with any of these units other than wondering if I should go out and buy one

hi brigman

i had seen the denon - VERY pricey.

the pioneer looks good but no HDCD. Oh well, not big loss, i only have 1 hdcd.

i'll keep looking

ravi- take a look at pioneer's 578a-s. i got one a little while back for ~$120 at crutchfields retail store. its not a super fancy lookin player, but it does all the formats, sounds really good, and puts out a good picture (at least on s-video, i got an old p.o.s. tv that doesnt have component!)

looks like a good intro player, i may pick one up next month.

i wish there was a cheap one with HDCD as well, then it would be complete

I have the Pioneer 563A and it did do a fine job with everything I have thrown at it, until now. Apparently, there are a few DVD Audio discs it will not play, and I received one of these discs as a Christmas present. If you have this player you might want to check online for a list of these before you go out and buy any DVD audio discs. I know it will not play Neil Young's Greendale.

Is that one of those silly dualdiscs? If so, not much WILL play them, from what I've read (since they're too thick.)

The 578 is being discontinued at Best Buy. I got one for $95, so jump on it if your local store still has any.

Ravi - Any chance you'll be playing around w/ a HTPC in proximity to this setup? If so, you can handle the HDCD requirement via the PC. WMP9 & 10 support HDCD playback via the analog outputs to your receiver. Just a thought to ease your concerns about HDCD capability....

I don't know if it is a dual disc. It is a DVD video/Dvd audio disc if that is what dual disc means. I tried it on a cheapo Apex in my teenage son's room which is seeing duty as a cd player, and it plays the audio on that just fine. I guess it's not the end of the world.