Pioneer DV-563A or Cambridge DVD-89 for audio only?

[Denis29]

I'm shopping for a decent player that can do DVD-Audio, SACD, DVD-Video, as well as plain audio CDs. I'm not interested in movies at this point, so it doesn't need to be a Blu-ray, and I don't really care about picture quality -- just audio.

I am considering a couple used players that seem to be nice units - Pioneer DV-563A and Cambridge DVD-89 - which can be had for pretty good deals.

I would prefer to spend around $100 (used units), give or take.... I realize that's minuscule budget and that better players probably cost 250-300 and up, but for my system it probably doesn't make too much sense to go all out... I have Paradigm Mini Monitors v4 as main fronts, Onkyo SKW-200 subwoofer, Polk CS2 center, and Infinity US-1 surrounds.

Any opinions for/against Pioneer DV-563A or Cambridge DVD-89? Can you recommend any other players given my needs that would be of similar affordability and quality?

 

[westcott]

I'm shopping for a decent player that can do DVD-Audio, SACD, DVD-Video, as well as plain audio CDs. I'm not interested in movies at this point, so it doesn't need to be a Blu-ray, and I don't really care about picture quality -- just audio.

I am considering a couple used players that seem to be nice units - Pioneer DV-563A and Cambridge DVD-89 - which can be had for pretty good deals.

I would prefer to spend around $100 (used units), give or take.... I realize that's minuscule budget and that better players probably cost 250-300 and up, but for my system it probably doesn't make too much sense to go all out... I have Paradigm Mini Monitors v4 as main fronts, Onkyo SKW-200 subwoofer, Polk CS2 center, and Infinity US-1 surrounds.

Any opinions for/against Pioneer DV-563A or Cambridge DVD-89? Can you recommend any other players given my needs that would be of similar affordability and quality?

I think your best bet would be an older Oppo Digital for all your video and audio needs. I picked up a Samsung BDP 1200 for under US$100

 

[Denis29]

I think your best bet would be an older Oppo Digital for all your video and audio needs. I picked up a Samsung BDP 1200 for under US$100

There's something about the Oppos or Samsungs that doesn't attract me, especially since I'm more audio-oriented than video.

I like what I read about Cambridge Audio, as well as Denon DVD-2910, Pioneer Elite DV-49A (or DV-48A), Harman Kardon DVD 48... They could each be had in my price range and can all do DVD-Audio and SACD... I'm just trying to figure out which of these would offer the best Audio CD performance.

 

[rnatalli]

There's something about the Oppos or Samsungs that doesn't attract me, especially since I'm more audio-oriented than video.

You do realize that the Cambridge unit you're looking at is an Oppo player with a Cambridge chassis and tweaked power supply?

 

[Denis29]

You do realize that the Cambridge unit you're looking at is an Oppo player with a Cambridge chassis and tweaked power supply?

Ah... No, I didn't know that. They are independent companies, aren't they? Which one got there first?

I'm looking at Denon DVD-2910 player, which was reviewed here... Seems like its MSRP was the highest out of the players I listed. Is it the better deal used now in terms of sound and performance for the money?

 

[Christopher__BA]

I have the Pioneer model you are looking at and a similar Denon (2200). Both are pretty darn good for the price and what you want them for. I don't think either one liked dualdiscs too much, but they don't make them much anymore. The Denon is hooked to my main system and the Pioneer is in my Bedroom (w/my Cerwin Vega D-7's). Needless to say, one of the reasons my wife is leaving me is due to my love of audio!! D-7's in the bedroom are not in style.....ever. And guess what.....I don't care!!! I love music!!! So take that!!! Oops, sorry. Got carried away.

 

[rnatalli]

Ah... No, I didn't know that. They are independent companies, aren't they? Which one got there first?

Oppo is an OEM for a lot of manufacturers like Cambridge Audio and Lexicon. Those manufacturers make some minor tweaks to the units, but nothing that affects performance really. From their insides, I believe the DVD-89 is the Oppo 980H. With that in mind, I have no doubt the DVD-89 is a fine unit, but in my opinion, you're better off with the Oppo itself as Oppo provides updates more frequently and excellent customer service.

 

[Denis29]

I have the Pioneer model you are looking at and a similar Denon (2200). Both are pretty darn good for the price and what you want them for.

Hehe. Sounds like you're pretty serious about the music... I guess maybe if that's a condition BEFORE you get married, then they leave you alone... But I haven't been married yet, so I'm not one to extrapolate. Anyhow... I mentioned 2 Pioneers - the Elite DV-49A and the DV-563A... Which one do you have?

Oppo is an OEM for a lot of manufacturers like Cambridge Audio and Lexicon. Those manufacturers make some minor tweaks to the units, but nothing that affects performance really. From their insides, I believe the DVD-89 is the Oppo 980H. With that in mind, I have no doubt the DVD-89 is a fine unit, but in my opinion, you're better off with the Oppo itself as Oppo provides updates more frequently and excellent customer service.

That's very useful info to consider - thank you! I would have never known.

 

[Christopher__BA]

I own the 563A. It is a nice little bugger and was inexpensive even back when I bought it. Nice, basic universal player.
The wife (soon to be ex) always knew about my hobby....for 23 years she knew it. Now she won't have to worry about it anymore. I on the other hand, will need music to get me through this tough time in my life. Music will never betray me. Wow, I'm on a roll today! And I have a root canal in two hours. Yikes!! Wish me luck.

 

[pzaur]

Denon 1930CI $59.98 +s/h

DVD-A / SACD / HDMI / Faroudja DCDi

-pat

 

[Denis29]

Denon 1930CI $59.98 +s/h

DVD-A / SACD / HDMI / Faroudja DCDi

-pat

WOW - that deal is totally killer! I may very well go for that!

But first, here's a question I ran into during my research. There's this pesky little point: only few players in this price range seem to offer direct digital output of SACD playback (DSD) over HDMI. I never dealt with this, but from what I read, this feature takes full advantage of high-density SACD encoding.

Umm, I was getting ahead of myself there... Yamaha RX-V2600 requires multi-channel analog inputs for SACDs.

This unit is not compatible with multi-stereo area audio signals
of Super Audio CDs. You can connect devices (such as a DVD
player) to the MULTI CH INPUT jacks.

So now the question is, I guess... which player will output best multi-channel analog signals. Is it the Denon 1930CI or the Pioneer Elite DV-49A? Great deal on the Denon, I must say - kind of makes it a steal.

 

[westcott]

Here is a link to the Oppo Digital audio portion review.

These numbers explain my recommendation and why other brands buy Oppo and repackage for a premium.

I like Denon too but I do not recommend Faroudjia based video. Macroblocking can occur with some displays.

With your budget, I do not know of any other alternatives. I find your disinterest in Oppo to be unjustified.

Oppo Digital Audio Benchmark Results

 

[Denis29]

Hold the phones... I think I found what I was looking for.

Yamaha DVD-S1800, currently being sold for ~$90 on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DVD-S1800BL-1080p-Upconverting-Player/dp/B000WKTG76

After much reading on the forums, I have made the following conclusions, all based on my own set-up. Since my Yamaha RX-V2600 has HDMI 1.1 and cannot do DSD over HDMI, I have to utilize the DAC in the player and discrete multi-channel analog in/out. As I said, I don't really care about video, just audio, so I am most biased toward the quality of the analog outs in the player.

There is much praise for the Oppo players, and that praise is echoed throughout the net, with a few contrarians saying that their audio DACs aren't their strongest suit, which doesn't matter if you simply pass digital audio over HDMI. In my case, that isn't the option. Pioneer Elite players, like DV-(48/49)AV get nice reviews, but they are still around $180.

The Denons, like 1930, 1940, 2200, and 2900, are nice options, but folks say that they aren't truly Denon quality since they are at the lowest end of their spectrum.

The Yamaha DVD-S1800 seems like a perfect match to my receiver - it appears that the DACs might even be the same or close to what RX-V2600 has. I appreciate also that this player seems to emphasize pure audio listening, somewhat like Denon. Oppo seems like a great *all-around* unit to me, especially for folks whose receivers accept DSD over HDMI, but it's quite pricey for a used value player. So for $90 brand new (incl shipping) and my definite attraction to Yamaha, I can't see how this option can be beat for my purposes.

So far, I feel very much at peace with this decision and happy to not have to agonize over choosing a player any more. Not an easy decision!! LOL.

As always, thanks to everyone who contributed thoughts and comments.

 

[pzaur]

That looks like a great player. I'd get it if I were in the market for a new DVD player. You've got pretty much the same requirements that I have. My Yamaha does great for SACD and does not handle DVD-A discs. Get that one and enjoy it. There is also a very well respected video chip in it. Overall, it's very similar to the Denon 1930CI and NEW.

-pat