Blu-Ray player for system with stereo audio?

[TManiac]

Hi,

I'm thinking of grabbing a Blu-Ray player. I only have an all-analog stereo receiver and have no intentions of upgrading.

I'd like to get a player with good quality analog stereo out, and that also functions well as a CD player (I know they can all probably play CDs well, I'm thinking more of the interface).

I was thinking of the Panasonic BD65. Any better ideas?

Do I need to worry about DACs and such? I know Pioneer used to advertise high end DACs on their blu-ray players but don't seem to anymore...

Suggestions welcome!

Thanks
TMANIAC

 

[j_garcia]

I sometimes use the BD65 for cd playback in my stereo only system and it sounds like every other player in the price range. It definitely isn't at the level of my Oppo, but it does just fine.

 

[TManiac]

I sometimes use the BD65 for cd playback in my stereo only system and it sounds like every other player in the price range. It definitely isn't at the level of my Oppo, but it does just fine.

When you say it isn't at the same level, do you mean in terms of sound quality?

Thanks
TMANIAC

 

[washburn]

I have the Panny BD 65 and couldn't be happier - brilliant pic and sound quality, and it's a LOT of bang for the buck. Internet offerings from VieraCast is not bad, either...

 

[TManiac]

Thanks Washburn,

Are you using the analog outs?

TMANIAC

 

[j_garcia]

When you say it isn't at the same level, do you mean in terms of sound quality?

Thanks
TMANIAC

Yes. The Oppo is an audio beast and costs about 8X the price of the price of the 65, so I'm not really trying to compare them, and the Oppo has pretty much bested all other players I've owned. All I am saying is, while the 65 may not be an audiophile's dream unit, it does quite well for analog audio with both movies and music.

 

[washburn]

Thanks Washburn,
Are you using the analog outs?
TMANIAC

Yeah, I only have a 2.1 sound system, and never had any interest in multi-channel audio, so for my needs it's brilliant.
The sound quality for CDs was VERY good, but i do have a dedicated CD changer (NAD) that I use with an external DAC, which is better than the Panny for music, BUT the Panny 65 comes VERY close to my main CD transporter/DAC combo's sound. For movies, the SQ is brilliant. Dialog is clear and crisp, and effects can shake the house and still be refined.
I am sure there are better Blu Ray players like the oppo for sound, but when you think of the price, the Panny is hard to beat. Like a poster said, the oppo costs 8x more but its SQ (i have heard one) is certainly NOT 8x better. Not even 2x. But it does provide all kinds of adjustments and formats and options for the hefty price, which, for some, might be useful.
In my case, where movies and music are separated areas in my sound system, the Panny does great on BluRay/DVDs, and Streaming content (Netflix, etc)

 

[j_garcia]

There is a difference in PQ with the Oppo when it comes to upscaling SD DVDs. The Oppo does a phenomenal job with DVDs, but that may or may not be the important factor. For Blu-ray, the PQ isn't going to be dramatically different, and to be honest, the BD60 I had before and the BD65 I have now both do a very good job at upscaling also. Good enough that I think you would have to be pretty picky not to be happy with it.

I have an SE, and the analog audio is quite impressive. It does do things that I need that the Panny does not, and that's why I have one