High End Blu Ray Players vs Consumer BD Players

[lost33]

Hello,

I have an old DENON DCD3300 CD player, 1987 vintage, with the first optical output I ever saw way back then as well as variable and constant phono outputs...it was a $1200+ CD deck back then, has LOTS of real COPPER in it and its built like a TANK and weighs more than a dozen of todays plastic DVD BD players...and it still plays well and is merciless on reproducing CD material.

So when I look at all these 'low level' Sony and Pannys like the S350, S550, BD35, or BD55 is the argument still like it was, way back when??

Is the qualiy of the high end players really that discernable?? or has it become a commodity market??

I have a HD player and a BD player, a new receiver and 58" plasma etc..

But these new players look, feel downright cheap compared to the old DENON "High End Stuff"

Opinions??
Thanks
Lost 33

 

[j_garcia]

IMO, the new "low end" players you are talking about aren't what I would call low end, though I think you are simply saying the difference between the $500 players and the $2000 players is quite evident, and that is a given. Yes, one of the things you are paying for is the heavy duty build quality, and I wouldn't expect the lesser models to last 20 years; they aren't designed to. By the time they fail though, something else will have come out anyway is likely the reason why they aren't designed to stand the test of time. They way they bring the cost down is by making a cheaper chassis and you aren't paying for a copper clad, heavily isolated chassis. If you want that kind of build quality, get another expensive Denon, as they have them in the $700, $1200 and $2000 range. Denon's $500 players are just as cheap feeling as any other player in the price range.

 

[Seth=L]

PS3?

*walks away with hands in the air*

 

[croseiv]

PS3?

*walks away with hands in the air*

Not all of us are gamers....

 

[lost33]

Guess its still pretty much the same then, there is still high end stuff and low end stuff and stuff in between the middle...

One thing I noticed when i looked at the specs of a Sony Receiver compared to some Onkyo's was it out specd the higher end SONY ES with capabilities,,

Which is good I guess making the others get in line with price performance etc.

I look at the 2 new Panasonic BD35 and BD 55...they are the same except for analog outputs, but others say the 55 has better audio components and build quality.

I think I will not pay the high end premium any more and look more for the chips that the high end stuff use in the lower mid priced players...and live without all the sound and damping and copper clad chassis...

Your point about growing old in a few years seems the way the industry has gone...planned obsolence.

Thanks for the reply.

Lost33