Looking to upgrade...any clear cut winner in these choices?

[corysmith01]

I just recently began setting up a new (modest) home theater system. The final two things to buy are a new DVD player and and new TV. The TV (flat screen; HD) will probably come later this year, hoping to score some 0% financing with the holiday sales. However, in the meantime, I'd like to pick up a new DVD player.

Currently, I have a Sony DVP-NC655P 5-disc DVD/CD changer. I just purchased a new receiver, a Marantz SR8400. With that purchase, I began looking at some Marantz DVD players. Also, I've been looking at Denon. My target price range is $500-$700...however a few of these are priced beyond that, but could be do-able if they're really SIGNIFICANTLY better. Also, I'm considering going back to single disc, though I do love the convenience of multi-disc, so they're included as well. Here's what I'm considering:

Marantz DV6500 ($649)
Marantz DV7600 ($1099)
Marantz VC5400 ($549) (5-disc)
Denon DVD2910 ($739)
Denon DVD3910 ($1499)
Denon DVD2815 ($469) (5-disc)

Here are my concerns;

1) The Denon 2910/3910 both have HDCD decoding, but the Marantz don't. Do I need that if my receiver does the decoding? Meaning, my receiver (SR8400) currently handles HDCD, but does that only mean that it can play them, but doesn't decode them? Or, does it mean that it will do the conversion (negating the need for the DVD player to do so).

2) With Blu-Ray coming out, does it make sense to drop a lot on a higher end DVD player (Denon 3910; Marantz DV7600)? I would initially think not, but then I think to myself that I probably won't be one of the early-adoptors of BluRay as I'm going to assume it's going to be on the expensive side, being new technology and all.

Any thoughts/suggestions on any of these DVD players would be very helpful.

 

[WooHoo]

I don't think you are going to find a better bang for the buck than the Denon models. As far as pricing, the 3910 can easily be had for $999 or less and the 2910 for around $600 on line, but you will need to purchase a warranty. I just bought a Samsung HD-841 Universal with DVI ($180) for now until the mud clears on the future HD formats. That's when I'll plunk down some big dough on a high end player.

 

[Audioholics]

I woudl not let HD-DVD or Blu-ray influence my decision one bit at this point. Unless you plan on waiting over two years to improve your system. Announcements are one thing - shipping affordable products with equally affordable software is another.

 

[Leprkon]

I just bought a Samsung HD-841 Universal with DVI ($180) for now until the mud clears on the future HD formats. That's when I'll plunk down some big dough on a high end player.

I'm all on board with WooHoo on this one. You might look one step up (the Samsung HD-941 about $ 250) which has HDMI output and the Faroudja upscaler. You might note that the Samsung products come with decent cable sin the box, so you won't be dishing out yet another hundred bucks for a good HDMI cable.

Either one has a fantastic picture, multichannel options (SACD, DVD-audio), component and S-video and, unlike the Denon's, won't break the bank for soon-to-be-obsolete technology..

 

[ZipSkip]

I'm in the same boat, trying to upgrade my system. Anyway the 3910 looks good and it can be had for less than $900. Try out this link, might be helpfull???
http://www.mpsuperstore.com/Electronics/discr93977.htm?froogle

 

[WooHoo]

I'm all on board with WooHoo on this one. You might look one step up (the Samsung HD-941 about $ 250) which has HDMI output and the Faroudja upscaler. You might note that the Samsung products come with decent cable sin the box, so you won't be dishing out yet another hundred bucks for a good HDMI cable.

Either one has a fantastic picture, multichannel options (SACD, DVD-audio), component and S-video and, unlike the Denon's, won't break the bank for soon-to-be-obsolete technology..

Leprkon is right. To do it over again, I would have stepped up to the HD-941 but I bought the 841 on impulse! Yikes.

 

[corysmith01]

So, you guys think the Samsung is the clear cut winner? I'm guessing that cost/benefit ratio is a large part of the reason for that. I'm not at all opposed to buying one of those...it just hadn't crossed my mind. I've looked at the site and those 2 appear to be pretty solid, but how to they stack up to the Marantz's and the Denon's?...with cost aside, that is. I know that Marantz and Denon stand for long term quality and have been at it awhile and their focus is on audio...but samsung...well, they're all over the place...making cell phones and dishwashers. In terms of quality build, construction, durability, etc, can the Samsung hang?

Thanks for all the input so far

 

[T2T]

So, you guys think the Samsung is the clear cut winner?

Um, no. You might also consider the Panasonic S97 for $270 or so. That is, if you find the $60 build-quality acceptable to you. However, the sound and picture of this player is quite nice.

 

[Beegowl]

Denon 2910

The review of the Denon 2910 is a great recommendation if you want to buy at the $700 price point. I purchased the 2910 not long ago from the local retailer for about a 15% discount. Replaced an old Sony CD changer and an inexpensive DVD player. I wanted the SACD and DVD-A capabilities, just as you do. Paired with a Yamaha RX-V1500, I have enjoyed the improved sound a great deal. Redbook CDs sound better, as well. Somewhere I read that CD players all sound pretty much alike, it's the durability and more expensive parts that drive the pricing. My ears say it also makes a difference in sound quality. Movie soundtracks are more lifelike. I had to get used to slower load times, but that isn't a problem. I did toggle the TV input criteria that changed the signal to the TV causing the picture to distort to the point that I couldn't read the GUI to change it back and had to navigate by reading the manual and experimenting. I couldn't find a "restore default" function. It took me about 20 minutes to get it back. Pendejo. But, I've been quite pleased with the sound quality and build quality of the Denon.