DVD Multidisc player

[waynerm002]

I recently posted in the speaker section my need for better sounding speakers. After doing some mixing of my equipment, I found that in fact the weak link was the DVD player. Now, I am not saying that my Athena's (AS-B1) are now sounding better than the Paradigms or B&W I had my eyes on but they sound so much better now. I was using an old DVD (an open box item I snagged on the cheap at Best Buy) unit as my disc player in my stereo system (old equipment as well), a Carver CT 3 preamp and a Carver TFM-35 amp. The more I read up on equipment, I find that I am in need of a few good pieces. Hence this post. I am looking for a good DVD player that handles most if not all of today's formats, that is clean sounding.

The unit I moved from my HT system is a Pioneer DV-563a. I think it was the first DVD-A/SACD player on the mass market. That unit, along with the HK 330 and the Athena .5 system is my home theatre system. Together I find it a pretty decent match for movies and music. After hearing it with the Carver system, I do believe I need a better unit for my stereo system. Something a step up to go along with that great old system. I saw and ad for the Lexicon RT-10 (I think) multidisc player but that is way past what I want to spend for a good player. I saw a Denon unit that looks nice but some review from owners stated that they had some issues.

So I come to you, to get some insights. What are the players that you guys recommend I give a look at? I am willing to go up to $1k if it measures up. Everything will be given consideration. I have read some reviews but I want to hear about it from people that have bought them, lived with them and have some info to share, good or bad. I would prefer to have one that will last a long time as I keep things a while once I find something I am happy with. Thanks all!

 

[Rob Babcock]

I've had no "issues" of any kind with my Denon DVD-2200. It sounds great, the picture is fantastic, and the bass management works very well. I know a lot of happy '2900 owners, too; if I'd have had the money I'd have probably bought the '2900, but I've been delighted with my '2200. The caveat I'd offer is that the Denons aren't 100% perfect with burned discs, but in my experience it's hard to predict what type of luck you'll have before you try. My Pioneers (DV-45a, DV-563a, ModWright modded 653a, & 2 x DV-260's) all play my DVD-Rs perfectly, but that's the only brand I've found that will.

 

[Rob Babcock]

And don't ask me why I have so many DVD players!

 

[waynerm002]

I'm on my third one, the other two are older models. The Pioneer is the only one with the latest technology. I want to have just one that will handle them all (formats) and that I can use in a stereo only system.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I'm not sure what disc the Denon can't play- I think it plays every format in existence. By "latest technology" are you referring to i-link or DVI output? For a stereo only system I can't imagine it would matter.

There's sure nothing wrong with Pioneer- as I said, I have quite a few of them. I think my Denon is much better, but I will always keep a Pioneer around for DVD-R's. And because I just like havin' a big pile o' gear! Actually, my newest Pioneer has Modwright Level I transport mods + a Bybee on the coaxial digital out. It was modded to accept an IEC power cord, too. I won't comment on the sound quality as a transport for fear of being burned at the stake here. Everyone knows they all sound the same.

NOTE: Sorry, did you mean mulitdisc in the carousel sense?

 

[waynerm002]

Multidisc as in format, CD-R/RW, DVD-A/V, SACD, MPEG, etc.. Although I would probably use it in the HT when I upgrade the rest of the system. Maybe there will be one of the two formats that is the standard for stereo one day. Who knows, I might just only use it in the HT and find a good SACD player for the stereo system.

By latest tech, I meant DVD-A, SACD, MPEG and such. The others just plays standard DVD. All things in time I guess.

 

[Rob Babcock]

My Denon is good enough that I got rid of my CD player. Again, most people here insist they all sound they same, and maybe they do...but my Denon sounds great to me and the picture is definately better than any of my Pioneers.

Honestly, though, I have the '563a and there's nothing wrong with it. Over the next year or so I'm sure the selection of universal machines will get better. I probably could have afforded the Denon '2900, but I figured as fast as technology changes I didn't want to spend much more than $700 on a player, what with hi rez digital connection just around the corner. I'll likely replace it, not with the current generation but probably the next.

 

[mitch57]

I am also considering upgrading my current DVD Changer (JVC which plays DVD Audios but not SACD). It's a 7 disk changer and I love being able to load it with various CDs/DVDs/DVD Audio/DVD Videos.

I am considering the Denon DVD 3910 because of all the features. But I'm not sure if I need all the bass managment capabilities since I have the Denon 3805.

I am also considering the Integra DPC 8.5 which is a 6 Disk changer that plays anything including SACD and DVD Audio.

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DPC-8.5&class=DVD&p=i

The Integra is $500.00 cheaper then the Denon and it holds 6 Disks versus the Denon's one. But will it sound as good as the Denon? Will movies look as good on the Integra as they do on the Denon?

I like the Denon Link 3rd edition but don't know if it's worth the extra $500.00. Plus I really do hate to give up the ability to store more then one disk at a time.

What do you guys think?

 

[outsider]

I'm using the Marantz 6400 multi-format player. I chose it over the Denon 2200.
The Marantz appeared to be built a little better and it's $50 less.

As for comparing the two units side by side, it's difficult to pick which one performs better. They are both excellent for their price.

 

[waynerm002]

In doing some searching today, I came across a few reviews of DVDs that seem to be good players. I guess one good way is to take a vote and see what people have and why they like it.

What DVD players do you have and why do you like it? This question is posed to all who want to respond.

 

[mtrycrafts]

And don't ask me why I have so many DVD players!

You are ready for a rainy day

 

[Rob Babcock]

I'm ready for another Great Flood! Okay, I will at least explain the load of Pioneers. As I already mentioned elsewhere, Pioneers are totally bombproof with DVD-Rs in my experience, so when I found a 2nd DV-260s I snapped it up against the day the player in my bedroom system might crap out. Then I found a good deal on a DV-653a, so I ordered it. But before it even showed up, I saw a fellow AC inmate was selling his Pioneer 656, with Modwright Level I transports mods, Bybee, etc. The price he was asking was less than what Dan charges for the mods, not counting the Quantum Bybee, soooooo.....

I already had the Denon, and it's killer with video and hi rez, but I keep the modded deck in my system for playing DVD-Rs.

 

[waynerm002]

I decided that for now I am going to stay with the Pioneer DVD-A/SACD player in the HT system and look for a SACD capable CD player for the stereo system. As my system is old I am contemplating selling it and getting something newer that I can use for stereo or surround. At present I am in a holding pattern to see if anything else will be out by the end of the year.

 

[waynerm002]

Got one

Ok, last night I was out checking out CD players and had my mind set on a Rotel unit, the RCD 1072 to be exact. Well, the shop did not have one available and the rep told me about the CD changer, also from Rotel, the CD 1055. I listed to it and it sounded quite nice with his speakers so I decided to take one home for a trial. First I decided to try it with Sting's latest CD, Sacred Love, as I have both the SACD and normal CD versions. Well, I noticed quite a difference between the two discs. Now, it is a bit strange as I thought the Stereo CD track on the SACD disc would have been the same as the normal CD, given that this is not a SACD player.

Again, another reason to keep my speakers. They sound so much better with this player that I was leaving the room and listening at a distance to make sure I was not just making this all up in my mind. I let it play a couple of discs while I browsed the web and then had to go make sure I did not add any tonal bias on the preamp. I was just amazed at the sound! The bass and highs were so clean that I had to audition other discs from my collection. Well, all this playing around lasted until about 2 in the morning and I have to say that this hobby is going to become expensive!

I plan to go locate some HDCDs today to hear what makes them so special, as this player is able to play them. All this research and information from this site is getting me to appreciate my old gear even more. However, you know I am thinking if my old stuff sounds this good, what will it sound like with some updated gear? Curiosity killed the cat, they say. In my case it will probably be breaking the bank. Once I find that good system though, it will be around for years before I do this again. Probably.

 

[av_phile]

CD players with HDCD capability like all ROTEL are said to have superior digital filtering abilities that can make even non-HDCD materials sound marginally better. Do make a google research on HDCD to find out what they say about it.

 

[waynerm002]

Av_phile, I have been doing a little more research online and in the latest issue of Stereophile. I saw a review of the Cambridge Audio Azur 640C CD player, I was meaning to give it a try but was not sure if I should. While the Rotel CD changer is not such a bad unit, I really was not in the market for a changer. I wanted the 1072 but the dealer was out of them. This makes me want to give the CA unit a try to see how it compares to the Rotel. I can say it is definitely "brighter" than my old DBX DX5 player however, I do like the sound of the older unit with the material that I listen to. The older unit seems more suited to my tastes, when it work properly. I know this is probably because I am used to the older unit but while the Rotel sounds cleaner, it is not really making me say, "oh yeah, this is a keeper."

I have tried it with my older Carver system (preamp/amp) and my CA integrated amp, with both units, I am still not impressed enough. Is there any other CD units you would recommend I try that is in the $700 range?

 

[av_phile]

Do make it a point to audition that Rotel 1072. If it's any better than an old 1070 I heard last year compared to most Yamaha. Marantz and HK flagship CD players, then it's worth the wait. Offhand I could think of an ARCAM CD player also with HDCD ability (can't remember the model), though I think they're all made in CHina these days, if that's a concern for you. Could be wrong though.

I'm not sure what being "bright" means. If it's about revealling more detail in the highs, then why not? Often, a high noise floor in digital players can obscure faint and subtly encoded musical details that are revealed in a player with very lower noise floor. It has about the same effect as high jitter rates often exhibited by some players.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Often, a high noise floor in digital players

What is this based in?

can obscure faint and subtly encoded musical details that are revealed in a player with very lower noise floor.


Maybe, maybe not. Maybe your room's nois floor is too high to hear small level details. Maybe those detailes are masked no matter what. That is why and how perceptual coders work so well, sound not audible discarded. Yes, you know, progress in that world of audio science where they use statistics.

It has about the same effect as high jitter rates often exhibited by some players.

Which players? Are you sure that jitter is audible beyond just a guessing game or ones imaginations?

 

[Unregistered]

Jitter has become a 'buzzword' and it is nearly meaningless. Even cheap players exhibit jitter less than 30 picoseconds. Anyone who claims that 30 trillionths of a second of jitter is audible has far better ears than any normal human being.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Jitter has become a 'buzzword' and it is nearly meaningless. Even cheap players exhibit jitter less than 30 picoseconds. Anyone who claims that 30 trillionths of a second of jitter is audible has far better ears than any normal human being.

Who said audiophiles are normal?

After all, they can hear the different insulations, copper grain structure, long or standars, proximity to the floor or not, and the list is endless