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Although an experienced audiophile, I am as ignorant of video as knowledgeable about audio.Can you experts out there recommend to me a combo DVD/CD player that has better than average CD performance and at least average DVD performance. I would spend up to $500. Thanks.
Neal
Follow Ups:
The previous poster is one of the few people who had good luck with the Pioneer 3 series. However, he may well be right (see my comments below about the new Elite).The new DV-47A, though it requires MUCH burn in (4 to 5 weeks) is excellent in all regards, except build quality. The consensus is, this should not have an "Elite" name tag on it from that perpective, but deserves it elsewhere.
Phillips makes a DVD deck that has excellent sound and SACD, but no DVD-A. Apex will shortly introduce another deck with all. My guess is that it will also require significant burn in. Their previous version got so panned by the general public (most of whom reviewed it within 30 min of unpacking) that it was taken out of production.
The TNT website may prove informative.
I went a different route myself, I got a Chinese player with the Sage progressive chip and VGA/RGB out (no Chroma bug, far better video performance in general). I did not expect the build quality to be much, I was pleasantly surprised. Nor did I expect the CD quality to be much. I was also pleasantly surprised here. Before I give it a thumbs up, however, I want to have it around a bit more, otherwise I would give you the brand, especially since I got it for $210 shipped.
In video, it replace my HTPC. I have not been dissapointed.
The CD is good enough that I will allow the SACD/DVD-Audio format wars (as well as the Firewire/USB war) to die down. In these formats, the technology is changing at the rate of computers. En fin, before you get the player it will be obsolete. Just keep it in mind. Then buy what you finally decide on.
Absolutely terrific video quality (progressive scan, a huge variety of user-controlled settings and features, various modes for 4:3 and 16:9 monitors) and pretty decent for audio. I have a California Audio Labs Icon Mk II CDP and the sound I get using the analog outs of the Panny through DH Labs ICs is quite comparable -- smooth and relaxed yet detailed, a little more rolled off in the highs than the CAL and not quite as strong in the bass, especially the lowest registers. But since the unit's in my home theater setup, I can wick up my sub a notch to compensate.Well built unit that, in the gold finish, is quite handsome too. Should be available right at your price point.
P.S. This unit is being (has been?) replaced by a new model. Since I'm happy with the '91, I haven't been following it to know the model number or the "enhancements" that were made.
i'm told that progressive scan is necessary since the quality is twice as good. i have the pioneer dv-37 and it has excellent picture qualiy, it has progressive scan, as well as sounding excellent as a cd player. plus it plays cd-r's, a big plus. i only paid 200 for it.i am also using a rotel 985 dvd player as a cd player. it does not have progressive scan, but it's an excellent cd player (probably as good as can be had under 2,000), but it does not play cd-r's. i also paid 200 for it, a fantastic deal for the cd playing. it's is also suppose to have an very good picture, but not progressive scan.
i have not compared the rotel to the pioneer. my guess is that the pioneer is a better dvd player. the rotel is probably a better cd player, but the pioneer is really excellent in that regard too.
Thanks for all the advice. I ended up buying a lightly used Toshiba DVD 9200, principally because it is A - rated in Stereophile's recommended AUDIO components. I am sure the video is top flight for my purposes, but it is the audio I am most concerned with. Will report wehen i install and try out.BTW, do all DVD's have their music tracks in DVD-Audio format, or is this a separate format? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Neal
DVD-A is a seperate format. Soundtracks on DVD-V are mostly DD or DTS, plus 2ch PCM for compatability purpose. It has to specifically say DVD-A.DVD-A playback is a pain. Requiring a display to navigate through the graphical TOC.
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