Pioneer DV-578A Universal DVD-Audio/SACD Player Review

[vinodude]

Wow did I write that?/

I just did the same thing..Went for the Dennon and came home with the pioneer. I am just begining to build my HT so I could not do it all at once, I bought a Yamaha-2400 and the pioneer. My initial thought was to use this as a bridge until I get a hi-def TV in early 05. But now that I have used this I think is great... I really like the DVD-A sounds and the dvd-video looks great on my regular 32" proscan of 4 years.

Great Buy very happy for 129.00 on sale.

 

[surveyor]

I have tried a couple of units and both have problems playing the neil young greendale and some newer dvd-a (Seal). One was manufactured in 5/04 and one 6/04.

Are you having this issue?

Don

Don, I bought the Emerson, Lake & Palmer (DVD A disk) Brain Salad Surgery yesterday at Hastings.
It will not play correctly on my Pioneer DV-578A. It plays, but with much distortion.
I was about to take the new disk back to Hastings, but I tried it in my other unit (Sony DVP-S360. It played fine in the Sony.
That is my first problem with the Pioneer so far.
Cheers

 

[moverton]

The multi-channel capability is a real difference/improvement in potential ability. But the new formats have not offered anything in the way of *proof* that they are superior to CD in any other way. Please note that you can not assume the mix/masters of the stereo CD layer are the same as the stereo SACD/DVD-A layer -- therefor this in istself is no fair comparision.

I suspect you are partly correct. They could record CD's in a way that sound very good, but they usually don't. Also, a little surround really does make the imaging easier to attain. I guess the questions is: "is spiting the record companies worth forgoing the obviously better results from sacd/dvd-a disks (whatever the cause)"?

This is what the record companies are hoping for, I believe. I also suspect purposely compromised CD versions in order to make the 'new' formats seem better. I would no more trust the pieces of crap running the record industry then I would trust a hungry crocodile to not eat my hand off if I attempted to pet him.

-Chris

 

[rgriffin25]

Don, I bought the Emerson, Lake & Palmer (DVD A disk) Brain Salad Surgery yesterday at Hastings.
It will not play correctly on my Pioneer DV-578A. It plays, but with much distortion.
I was about to take the new disk back to Hastings, but I tried it in my other unit (Sony DVP-S360. It played fine in the Sony.
That is my first problem with the Pioneer so far.
Cheers

If you are playing a DVD-A disc on a Sony DVD player you are playing back the Dolby Digital version not the DVD-A (No Sony DVD player supports DVD-A). I am not saying it is the disc to blame for the problem. I am suggesting that you find another DVD player that does play DVD-A.

 

[surveyor]

If you are playing a DVD-A disc on a Sony DVD player you are playing back the Dolby Digital version not the DVD-A (No Sony DVD player supports DVD-A). I am not saying it is the disc to blame for the problem. I am suggesting that you find another DVD player that does play DVD-A.

I will clarify here, the disk would not play on the Pioneer in any format, it by default apparently detects the DVD A format and won't default to Dolby Digital. The disk in question is apparently recorded in Dolby Digital also.
I've read that this is not a problem only with the lower cost multidisk player like the Pioneer.The more expensive ones will do the same on occasian.
I've experienced no problems playing any other DVD A disks with the Pioneer, yet (knock on wood).

Kelly

 

[surveyor]

I'm relatively certain that the new Pioneer downconvers DSD to 88.2 PCM. According to Alex Peychev, this isn't a true DSD machine. That isn't the kiss of death at the price point, but he claimed the '563 was a true DSD machine.

That said, he is impressed with the sound and build quality of the '578A.

This is from the Operating Instructions Page 36.
Note that High sampling rate DVD-Audio discs(193kHz or 176.4kHz) autimatically output down sampled audio through the digital outputs.

 

[Rob Babcock]

So I see. However, that doesn't have anything to do with DSD- SACD uses DSD, DVD-A uses PCM. I've been told (although I've not heard it from Pioneer) that this machine converts DSD to PCM. At the price, that's still not a major issue IMO.

 

[surveyor]

So I see. However, that doesn't have anything to do with DSD- SACD uses DSD, DVD-A uses PCM. I've been told (although I've not heard it from Pioneer) that this machine converts DSD to PCM. At the price, that's still not a major issue IMO.

Sorry for not further clarifying Rob! I would take it that you are correct about the DSD down convert issue though.
I should have headed my message with something like all the info supplied by Pioneer about what the DV-578A down converts.

Kelly

 

[Adler Victor]

DV-563A -> DV-578A

I just move from 563 to 578 this weekend.

This is my change log:

1 - I can't notice any degradation of sound on DVD-A neither on SACD
2 - The 578 can play DiVx
3 - The new one doesn't have volume control on the 5.1 analog outs
4 - Poor MP3 GUI on the 578
5 - 578 if faster than 563 to load all kinds of media
6 - The 578 can play WMA, 563 don't
7 - I think that 563 had more bass, and the 578 sound is more clean on DVD-A

I think that 578 is a totally new player that only shares the same from panel layout from the others Pionner DVDs. All conectors in the back panel are in different positions.

 

[adlervft]

DV-563A -> DV-578A

I just move from 563 to 578 this weekend.

This is my change log:

1 - I can't notice any degradation of sound on DVD-A neither on SACD
2 - The 578 can play DiVx
3 - The new one doesn't have volume control on the 5.1 analog outs
4 - Poor MP3 GUI on the 578
5 - 578 if faster than 563 to load all kinds of media
6 - The 578 can play WMA, 563 don't
7 - I think that 563 had more bass, and the 578 sound is more clean on DVD-A

I think that 578 is a totally new player that only shares the same from panel layout from the others Pionner DVDs. All conectors in the back panel are in different positions.
Reply With Quote

 

[surveyor]

Sorry for not further clarifying Rob! I would take it that you are correct about the DSD down convert issue though.
I should have headed my message with something like all the info supplied by Pioneer about what the DV-578A down converts.

Kelly

SACD Frequency Response 4 - 88,000
DVD-Audio Frequency Response 4 - 88,000
No Direct Video Input (DVI)
I found some more specs, it definately downconverts.

Kelly

 

[surveyor]

I'm relatively certain that the new Pioneer downconvers DSD to 88.2 PCM. According to Alex Peychev, this isn't a true DSD machine. That isn't the kiss of death at the price point, but he claimed the '563 was a true DSD machine.

That said, he is impressed with the sound and build quality of the '578A.

I read that the 563 converts DSD to PCM also.
Here's the link.
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/pioneer_dv563a.htm

 

[Rob Babcock]

I guess I have no "proof," but I do know Alex is the guy that identified the problems with the SACD1000 and created the tech fix that Philips adopted. While that's not a slam-dunk, it does show Alex really knows those machines. His sole business is modding players, mostly Pioneer & Philips, and I think he's done a lot of in-depth research of the '563A (it was a very popular product for his mods). He's spent more time "under the hood" of the '563A than probably anyone except the team that designed it.

In any event, it was still a nice machine for the $.

 

[surveyor]

I guess I have no "proof," but I do know Alex is the guy that identified the problems with the SACD1000 and created the tech fix that Philips adopted. While that's not a slam-dunk, it does show Alex really knows those machines. His sole business is modding players, mostly Pioneer & Philips, and I think he's done a lot of in-depth research of the '563A (it was a very popular product for his mods). He's spent more time "under the hood" of the '563A than probably anyone except the team that designed it.

In any event, it was still a nice machine for the $.

I've read that the moded 563 will hang with machines up to the $2500.00 range.
Do think he would modify the 578?
Kelly

 

[Rob Babcock]

Alex has a Circle over at AC; he's been asked about the 578, but I don't remember what he said. Frankly, it's been tough to get ahold of him lately. Since his modded SACD1000 won "Most Coveted Component of 2004" at Stereotimes, he's been very busy. So much so that I think he hired an assistant to help him.

When last I checked, he was waiting for a schematic to decide if the mods he does would be worthwhile. I just can't recall if he's decided yet. I'll see if I can get some info for you.

 

[surveyor]

Alex has a Circle over at AC; he's been asked about the 578, but I don't remember what he said. Frankly, it's been tough to get ahold of him lately. Since his modded SACD1000 won "Most Coveted Component of 2004" at Stereotimes, he's been very busy. So much so that I think he hired an assistant to help him.

When last I checked, he was waiting for a schematic to decide if the mods he does would be worthwhile. I just can't recall if he's decided yet. I'll see if I can get some info for you.

I would be interested in modding my 578, if Alex finds it to be feasable.
Thanks,

Kelly

 

[Rob Babcock]

Here is a link to the discussion at the APL Circle at AC.

 

[surveyor]

Here is a link to the discussion at the APL Circle at AC.

Looks like the 578 mod is out for me. I'll just wait and pick up a really good Denon or Pioneer, etc. later.

Thanks Rob.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

After reading this thread and more I finally said what the heck; bid on and won a 563A on eBay today since it is "true" DSD. Since the rest of my system is still stereo the bass management and such don't really matter for now. But I'll finally be able to hear (or not) what the fuss is about!

My first baby step towards 21st century audio!

Maybe by time I assemble my multichannel system there will be an affordable (<$500) universal player with decent bass managememt and i.link. Hey, a fella can dream...

 

[surveyor]

After reading this thread and more I finally said what the heck; bid on and won a 563A on eBay today since it is "true" DSD. Since the rest of my system is still stereo the bass management and such don't really matter for now. But I'll finally be able to hear (or not) what the fuss is about!

My first baby step towards 21st century audio!

Maybe by time I assemble my multichannel system there will be an affordable (<$500) universal player with decent bass managememt and i.link. Hey, a fella can dream...

It a good unit, from all I read.
Enjoy