If you really don't care about picture quality or video features, then buy a $50 cheapo DVD player from some budget store and put the bulk of your money into a CD player. You'll get better quality audio than with a universal player at your price point. If you have to have one box, something like OPPO or Denon, as the other posters suggested, would be a good place to look.
Best Audio DVD Universal Player Arcam, Denon...?
I am in the midst of a search for the best "audio first" DVD player within my budget. I don't care about picture quality or features, I simply want the best sound possible (for the buck). Price range is $400 - $900 new or used.
I currently own an Arcam DV135 for my primary system, great sound, warm, could use a bit more detail / upper range.
I am finalizing my second system (basement), currently use a Pioneer Elite DV46, good detail, a little bright, lacking depth / mid bass. I picked-up a second hand Denon DVD-2900 (because of the price) to see if it would magically solve my dilemma. While the mid bass improved the detail and upper range worsened.
My current contenders are:
1) A second hand Cary DVD-6 - built like a tank, supposed to have excellent sound... ?
2) New Denon 2930, recommended by an audiophile buddy as a good budget "audio first" player, he did warm the limitation in high frequency... ?
3) Second hand Arcam DV78 / 88. As good as my DV135??
Can anyone chime in with their 2 cents?
I currently own an Arcam DV135 for my primary system, great sound, warm, could use a bit more detail / upper range.
I am finalizing my second system (basement), currently use a Pioneer Elite DV46, good detail, a little bright, lacking depth / mid bass. I picked-up a second hand Denon DVD-2900 (because of the price) to see if it would magically solve my dilemma. While the mid bass improved the detail and upper range worsened.
My current contenders are:
1) A second hand Cary DVD-6 - built like a tank, supposed to have excellent sound... ?
2) New Denon 2930, recommended by an audiophile buddy as a good budget "audio first" player, he did warm the limitation in high frequency... ?
3) Second hand Arcam DV78 / 88. As good as my DV135??
Can anyone chime in with their 2 cents?