Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Best DVD player for PQ & CD AQ?

In reply to:

---

but it can't play multi-channel music.

---

$1495.00 and no multi-channel ! What the hell?

Yes Mike, from the description it appears to be another example of overpriced high-end nonsense; a player which handles only one disc and offers only "uncompromising" 2-channel playback of SACDs(presumably there are no multi-channel outputs). In my view the multi-channel aspect is the only significant factor in SACDs and DVD-As.

Here are a few I've found. What are your ideas guys?

Pioneer DV-868AVi

Pioneer DV-59AVi

Denon 2900

Denon 5900

or should I go audio only with something like this...

Marantz SA-8260

I bought a new player, purely for Audio performance, but I wanted excellent DVD-A as well as pure DSD SACD decoding, in addition wanted something that made my CDs sound the best they could.

Under $1000 there was really one choice that fit that bill for me, and that was the Denon 2900. All the upgrades from the 2200 go into the audio side. Pure direct modes where all extra processing and displays can be toggled off. Proper bass management (of course DSD needs to go to PCM by default, analog BM is the only way around this as far as I know, not a big deal because nearly all SACD content was first converted to PCM for mixing anyway). This thing is a tank, weights nearly 20 lbs and has completely separete audio and video circuitry, the same Custom BurrBrown 1790 DACs found in the 5900. Beefy power supply and upgraded analog section compared to the 2200 (already a decent unit). There is a reason so many in the modding community have picked the 2900, and that is the high level of components already there. (for my 2 cents, much of modding done after this level is more a matter of difference than better, and I love the performance of the 2900 stock).

For a pure SACD player you may be able to save a couple hundred $$ and have the same performance (I don't know, I haven't personally listened to them). DVD-A isn't totally dead (seems to be picking up steam). BestBuy has a really crappy selection but, online is much better. I own 3 times more DVD-A than SACD....Fleetwood Mac Rumors, Queen The Game, Blue Man Group, Eagle Hotel CA, REM best of, etc. It is very nice to be able to have the flexibility to play both.

Even if they adopt a pure digital stream, I wouldn't be too excited. The DACs and analog stage in the 2900 and 5900 (and I presume the other brands in this $$ range) are better than those in even the best receivers (and most seperates, save for outboard DACs).

5900 and 2900 sound very close to the same, I couldn't hear a differnce until someone mentioned something...so I couldn't be unbiased anymore. 5900's advantage is the ability to do time alignment to SACD (very few do this) which of course puts you back in DSD to PCM conversion.....I wouldn't worry about this until there are more SACDs out that record and mix in DSD...nearly everything in the industry is set up for PCM production, and there are not many made pure DSD....if someone has some good suggestions let me know!

And yes, it sounds spectacular on my Axioms!

If anyone is interested, I've decided to get the Denon 2900. It should be more than enough of an audio player for me for a good long time. I'll use it for everything for awhile, and when HD-DVD arrives, I'll buy a separate DVD player. I had a moment of clarity and realized that I really shouldn't be spending $700+ on an audio player. I can get a 2900 for about $500 delivered. (I got a guy on the inside.) I just hope he can come through with a silver model. But at that price, I won't be complaining about color.

Good luck with the 2900. It sounds like it should fit your bill (provided it's silver).

I'm eyeing the 5900 or the 59ai depending on what shakes out. But I'm obsessed with the DVI so that took the 2900 out of the equation.

Good luck!

I'm not worrying about the video portion at this time, because the best connection my current TV has is only s-video. I'm going to wait for the HD-DVD and HDTV revolution to settle a bit, and then get a new TV and DVD player.

fyi - I've seen the Pioneer DV-59avi for as low as $999.

2900 for $500? Now I'm jealous... I LOVE my 2200, although I haven't gotten a chance to test the PQ yet because my plasma is on backorder w/ Dell

The new Pio did make me jealous, as I'd consider getting a DVI player. But I think I'm saving those extra $$$ for the HD-DirecTivo, which I just found out has DVI.

Yeah, I saw your posts on AVS about the $999. I'm super cautious about where I buy this stuff from though. I don't plan to buy from:

a) anywhere that appears to be a warehouse. From what I've been able to tell they often cancel orders, and to boot they insist on getting you on the phone and hocking other stuff to you.

b) an unauthorized dealer - I don't want warranty hassles. I'd rather pay a bit more and be sure the warranty will be honored rather than the old "uhh..yeah, of course we are!"

I'd be surprised from what I've learned to see authorized dealers selling the 59avi for $999 authorized already?

Thanks for the tip though.

There's details on HD directv Tivo? Maybe it's on the AVS forum, I'll have to scope it out..thanks!

-Nick