Video Asylum

Posted by Xico (A) on November 29, 2007 at 04:49:00

Hi all,

I've already posted this same message at the Hi-rez, but perhaps I will have more answers here.

I am thinking about buying a Marantz DV 7001 universal player. Probably I will not be able to test it extensively before deciding to buy, so I would like to know your experiences with this player.
I plan to use it really as a universal player – playing my SACDs, CDs, DVD-audio and also DVD-videos. The questions I have are all related to two points: reliability (will it play all my discs, specially my SACDs, for many years?) and sound quality.

1. My main concern are SACDs. Does the unit have the reading problems of SA 8260 and, perhaps, 8001? And soundwise, does it sound close to these audio-only players? I’ve heard a SA 8260 for sometime, and it sounded too warm to me. Is this kind of sound that I should expect from the DV 7001? And, does it convert DSD to PCM, or is it a pure DSD player?

2. CDs – How is the sound of DV 7001?

3. DVDs and DVD-audio – again, how is its sound??

4. Video – this is an upscaler player, with Faroudja processing up to 1080p. I think it should be as good, but probably better, than my Oppo 971h. I will only use it at 720p on my projector. Is it OK?

Thank you for any help,

Xico