In search of a quiet DVD player

[bumpy]

I have been looking for a new SD Universal DVD player, and am appalled at how cheap and noisy the current generation of <$400 players are. It's beyond me how anyone can put up with the constant whirring, buzzing, and chirping that these players make just trying to spin a disc. And this isn't just no-name stuff - I've tried Yamaha, Denon, and Pioneer units and they're all too loud to put up with. Can't I buy a quality piece of equipment anymore?

I need a quiet universal player (SACD & DVD-A) that has a high quality audio section, has no trouble with +/- R/RW discs, and can also do PAL to NTSC conversion and play AVIs. Any recommendations? Thanks!!

 

[j_garcia]

Based on what you are saying I don't think you are going to find what you are afte in the under $400 realm unless you look used. You might give the Oppos a shot, I have the 980 and had the 970 previously and no complaints, though the audio section is good not great - it will be about par for the price range you are considering at a lower price. Cambridge Audio's players are based on the Oppo's internals and should have a bit better audio section, though I have not heard them myself.

 

[Hi Ho]

I setup sub $400 players from Yamaha, Denon, Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, and Toshiba daily and I have never experienced any of the noises you're speaking of. The only player I have ever heard a peep from is the Cyberhome one that I won at Safeway. That thing squeaks and chirps like crazy. My Toshiba HD-A2 and Panasonic DMR-ES15 DVD recorder are dead silent.

 

[Lightning Steve]

I know where your coming from. One of my biggest complaints with DVD players is the noise.
I have a LG up converting DVD player, $100, and it's silent!

 

[j_garcia]

What I was getting at is, if he is complaining about sub $400 players, then he isn't going to be happy with pretty much any of them.

 

[bumpy]

Hi Ho: Which models of these players have you heard to be quiet? Panasonic and Sony are out of the running since AFAIK they don't do PAL to NTSC conversion.

Lightning Steve: What model of LG do you have? Does it play SACDs?

So far I've tried and returned:
Philips 642
Oppo 970
Yamaha C750
Yamaha S1500
Denon 1940ci
Pioneer 48av

All had various unacceptable issues, but the common thread was a noisy transport. How is a person supposed to enjoy listening to music or movies containing quiet passages when the player is emitting enough mechanical noise to be heard from 10 feet away?

I also tried a Denon 2910, and it was nice and quiet. (!!!) Unfortunately, when it got warm (and boy, did it get warm) it would start having problems playing DVD-R discs that played just fine in all other players I tried them in. So, it went back too.

 

[Davemcc]

I actually took my Denon 556 in for warranty service because I thought it was unacceptably loud. They just said that that's the way it is.

I am currently in the process of moving my Cambridge Audio DV89 Universal Player into the bedroom system where I also want a quiet player. I will report back on how quiet it really is once I get it set up. I have to get some of the components in that system back from a neighbor that I lent them to, but as soon as I do that, I will make a report.

 

[Hi Ho]

Hi Ho: Which models of these players have you heard to be quiet?

Honestly, I haven't seen any that made noise other than the Cyberhome that I won at Safeway. Maybe I'm just not listening for it since I'm usually playing movies at high volume.

 

[j_garcia]

It all depends on your personal tolerance level. I have owned about a dozen players and I can hear most of them during quiet passages or while spinning up, some more than others, but it doesn't bother me. Call it a necessary evil.

 

[bumpy]

But that's just it - it's not necessary. There's no technical reason they couldn't be whisper quiet. It's only because most have accepted it that manufacturers are able to sell "qualilty" players with cheap noisy transports. I want a silent PC too, but seemingly will only be able to obtain one by researching parts and building one myself.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, that's what I mean about personal tolerance level - if it bothers you, then you will have to take the steps necessary to deal with the issue since it is evident that the manufacturers are not so concerned with it. The quietest player I have is the 2900, I can't say I've really ever noticed it make any noise aside from spin up. That was a $1000MSRP player though...you can pick one up for $300 (including a Sliver one in the classifieds here...) but I don't think it meets all your requirements.

 

[Davemcc]

I am pleased to report that the Cambridge Audio DV89 is virtually silent during playback. There is a slight chirping when it first loads a disc, but that's it. I have to have my ear right next to the player to hear that its operating. From a couple feet away, it's dead silent.

It is a universal SACD/DVD-A player. I know I have played burned discs in it, but whether +/-, I don't know what format they were. I also don't know about PAL/NTSC conversion or AVI format. I've never had cause to try.

 

[bumpy]

Thanks for the info Dave. There are no local dealers in my area that carry Cambridge Audio, but if I feel daring at some point I might order it from Audio Advisor or something.