Dedicated cd player vs all in one dvd player

[RhapsodyInBlack]

Just wondering what the consensus in here is in regards to cd players and dvd players. Im a bit overwhelmed with all the information and choices out there and thought it may help with the decision making progress.

Would it be more advantageous to go with a dvd player ( under $ 300 ) that will provide quality video and audio applications....or...separate components to get the best of both worlds....my ht usage is pretty much split 50-50 so i definately dont want to skimp out on either end....any thoughts would be appreciated....thanks !

 

[s2pdname]

Personally, I am looking at buying an inexpensive universal player. I am into hi-rez music as well and want SACD & DVD-A capabilities. However, becuase I know I'm going to spend money on the looming cloud that is HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray, my current budget is very low.

Don't know if this helps you, but these are some of the considerations that I are currently driving my decision making.

Good Luck!

 

[jaxvon]

You'd be better off getting a good universal player. If you have good DAC's in your receiver, then a $200 player and a $1000 player won't sound any different when you use the digital connection. Just look for a player in your budget with good video performance. Once you get there, it will have good DAC's anyway (for SACD audio) and the digital out can be used for DVD and Redbook CDs.

 

[RhapsodyInBlack]

I appreciate the advice from the both of you....I basically decided to go with a universal deck that would offer the best of both worlds,and the advice given will shoot me in that direction for sure.The only reason why i was a bit unsure is because of the temptation to have one of the high volume cd changers ( 100 - 500 disc ) put into the mix....i certainly dont need a dvd changer at the time,and i doubt i ever will since i'm more of a netflix renter than a video purchaser....again...thanks for the advice..i appreciate it....now,the next question ( they never cease to end it seems ! )

any suggestions on a decent quality dvd player that will offer dvd-a,sacd and quality video ? If worse comes to worse,i suppose i could live without the dvd-a and sacd options as most of my music isnt offered in that medium anyways...by the way,i have a fairly decent receiver ( yamaha ) that should be able to handle whatever formats i throw at it...Also,video quality is highly important,however,i'm still using s-video until prices come down a bit on dtv's....once again,much appreciate the suggestions/advice.

 

[jaxvon]

What kind of budget are you looking at? Denon makes some really nice units, but they can get kind of pricey. And also, do you plan on getting a TV or display that will utilize component video?

 

[hifiman]

When DVD players first hit the market I bought the Sony unit that was just below their flagship DVD player (I don't remember the model number). Anyway, at that time every publication on the planet claimed that DVD players were inferior for CD playback. That Sony unit was stolen. I still wish I had it because it was a pretty good DVD player, but even better, it was an awesome CD player. So now times have changed for the most part: It seems people have finally accepted the notion that well-built DVD players will do a good job on CDs as well.

 

[Sleestack]

I have a number of players:

Denon 3910 (currently getting Underwood's Ultimate Upgrade)
Denon 5910
Meridian G08
Onix CD-1
Onix XCD-88


If you use digital connections, I don't think there is a difference. Some say there is, but I can't hear it.

When you use analog connections it is a very different story. The universal players don't compare to the Meridian G08 (or CD-1) for redbook playback. That being said, the G08 is fairly expensive. When you are looking at dedicated CD players in the sub $500 range, I think most high quality universals compare favorably.

 

[brian32672]

I could go on with a super long list of the cd and dvd players I have had.

But as of now, I am happy with the one I got.
It will play all the formats you are looking to play.
And has more connections than any dvd player I have ever seen.

It has VGA out, HDMI output, 5.1 output, component video out, coaxial digital out, optical digital out, analog audio out, s-video out, composite video out, etc..

It is a upconverting dvd player, but will play fine at all video formats, and even will do Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, DVD audio, DVD-R, DVD+R, MP3, Jpeg, DVD-+RW, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, etc...

It is also firmware upgradeable.

Cost is 199.00 to 225.00 depending on promotion.

Picture is superb. And sound is great, but mainly that is because of THX receiver.

Its a NeuNeo HVD-2081 (link)http://www.neuneo.com/body/product/hvd2081/feature.asp

However the Denon units have gotten a lot of praise and may be a choice for you, also I have heard that the Oppo is good as well.

To many decisions.........

 

[RhapsodyInBlack]

I could go on with a super long list of the cd and dvd players I have had.

But as of now, I am happy with the one I got.
It will play all the formats you are looking to play.
And has more connections than any dvd player I have ever seen.

It has VGA out, HDMI output, 5.1 output, component video out, coaxial digital out, optical digital out, analog audio out, s-video out, composite video out, etc..

It is a upconverting dvd player, but will play fine at all video formats, and even will do Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, DVD audio, DVD-R, DVD+R, MP3, Jpeg, DVD-+RW, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, etc...

It is also firmware upgradeable.

Cost is 199.00 to 225.00 depending on promotion.

Picture is superb. And sound is great, but mainly that is because of THX receiver.

Its a NeuNeo HVD-2081 (link)http://www.neuneo.com/body/product/hvd2081/feature.asp

However the Denon units have gotten a lot of praise and may be a choice for you, also I have heard that the Oppo is good as well.

To many decisions.........

I ran across that neuneo doing some product and model research online,and it definately caught my attention for al the reasons you explained above. The only reason i held back from going in farther with it is because of a lack of user feedback and reviews of it....i'll take yours as a great review and experience with that player and will definately put it on the list of options...thanks !

 

[RhapsodyInBlack]

I could go on with a super long list of the cd and dvd players I have had.

But as of now, I am happy with the one I got.
It will play all the formats you are looking to play.
And has more connections than any dvd player I have ever seen.

It has VGA out, HDMI output, 5.1 output, component video out, coaxial digital out, optical digital out, analog audio out, s-video out, composite video out, etc..

It is a upconverting dvd player, but will play fine at all video formats, and even will do Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, DVD audio, DVD-R, DVD+R, MP3, Jpeg, DVD-+RW, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, etc...

It is also firmware upgradeable.

Cost is 199.00 to 225.00 depending on promotion.

Picture is superb. And sound is great, but mainly that is because of THX receiver.

Its a NeuNeo HVD-2081 (link)http://www.neuneo.com/body/product/hvd2081/feature.asp

However the Denon units have gotten a lot of praise and may be a choice for you, also I have heard that the Oppo is good as well.

To many decisions.........

by the way,brian...i noticed you have the bic accoustech speakers ? enjoying them so far ? have you had them long enough to judge the long term quality factor ?

I ask this because i too have the bic accoustech,but i've only had them in place for less than a week....was curious how well they may hold up and last for me. I'm hoping that they will last long enough to stick around until i get the upgrade bug.

 

[brian32672]

by the way,brian...i noticed you have the bic accoustech speakers ? enjoying them so far ? have you had them long enough to judge the long term quality factor ?

I ask this because i too have the bic accoustech,but i've only had them in place for less than a week....was curious how well they may hold up and last for me. I'm hoping that they will last long enough to stick around until i get the upgrade bug.

Here is my thread on the outlook of the Acoustechs....
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12020