Onkyo DV-SP1000 or Pioneer DV-59AVi?


Hi Guys,
I am putting together a relatively budget system for my Den, and I am looking at purchasing a great sounding universal player.
I have narrowed down my choices to either the Pioneer DV-59AVi or the Onkyo DV-SP1000.
I have briefly listened to the Onkyo, but not the Pioneer.
I like the idea of the Pioneer because of its solid reputation for reliability, Burr-Brown DAC's, and its reputation for good sonics and supposedly great video.
Being able to purchase it online in the $750.00 to $850.00 range delivered also helps!
I like the Onkyo because of its SOLID construction, great video, and according to the European press...great sonics.
On the other hand, I have read that some of the Onkyo's have a lip-sync issue, maybe some slight video noise, and the price is slightly high compared to the Pioneer.
I also don't know how good the Wolfson DAC's are in the Onkyo?
Has anyone out there owned both of these units, or compared them?
If so, could you tell me how they compare both sonically, and on video?
Please don't bring up the Denons or the Marantz DV-9500, as I have already ruled them out.
Thanks for your help guys!
audio_girl

Showing 5 responses by audio_girl

Tvad,
Even if it is "the current king of the hill at anywhere near this price range", I would not want to deal with the possible issues, I have read about, that I named above.
I have two local friends who also had numerous QC problems with the Denons. One wound up buying a used Esoteric DV-50 and the other wound up buying a used Arcam FMJ DV-27A.
Thinkat,
From what I have heard and read from various sources, the Denons seem to have some quality control issues, some of them refuse to play CD's, and some seem to suffer from some slight macroblocking issues on certain video material.
These things are what made me rule out the Denons.
Angela
Which kinds of displays are most sensitive to macroblocking?
Which kinds of displays are most sensitive to CUE issues?
Thanks!
I have decided that I think I will purchase BOTH the Onkyo DV-SP1000 AND the Pioneer DV-59AVi and compare them head-to-head on video and on all the different formats, and then sell the one I like the least.
Thanks for all of your responses!
The best price that I could find on the Onkyo 1000 was $1,499.00 + shipping at Onecall.com.
Has anyone out there found a lower price than that?