low cost Universal DVD Players (SACD/DVD-A)

[trancedigital]

I am looking for low cost Universal Players (SACD/DVD-A). So far I have found these:

1. Pioneer DV-578A $160 @ Crutchfield.com
This is a new model upgraded from the older DV-563A. Incompatibility issues with certain DVD-Audio titles has been rectified. Video D/A converter has been improved to 108Mhz/12bit.

2. Toshiba SD-5960 $180
This is a new model upgraded from SD-4960. This unit has problems. Best Buy has taken them off the shelves. Toshiba is offering full refund for consumers who have already purchased the unit though. Toshiba customer service rep told me that a brand new model will come out in a couple months with all the problems rectified. The model number will be changed too.

3. Samsung DVD-HD841 $175
This is again a new model.

4. Apex AD-7701 $225 Amazon.com

If anyone has information or model numbers for more low cost universal dvd players, then please post. Thanks

 

[Audioholics]

Thanks for posting this - very helpful and relevant as more and more people want to get into DVD-Audio/SACD without having to hook up 2-3 players.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I've read (but can't confirm) that the new Pioneer universal does downconvert DSD to 88 khz PCM. This news comes from a professional modder that specializes in Pioneer universal mods. He claims that (once modded) DSD still sounds good despite the downconversion, but I don't know how it sounds stock.

Probably plenty acceptable for the price. Still, it might be best to try to snag a '563 if you're in the market.

 

[Unregistered]

I just got a 563-A off eBay for $100, from pioneer.