Sacd / Dvda universal players

I am also trying to figure out what to do about a universal player. I own an XA777ES, which gives me multi channel SACD but no DVD A or video. I have thought about a DVD player with the DVD A feature, but to get a true audiophile unit is another $3 to 5K, and I have two players and my current PMDT is then surplus, which is getting a little ridiculous.

What have you heard about there being agreement on a digital output standard for SACD and DVD A in the very near future?

Don

I thought about the DV-50 as well, but after several calls to TEAC I can't get a straight answer about future service and support. One time they say Esoteric is being reintroduced to the US market, then whien I ask who the dealers will be they call back and left a message saying there were no plans to sell them in the US. I love some of TEACs gear and the DV-50 looks like the best thing currently made, but I'm not going to spend $5K and not have a repairable transport.

I've got a Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai home for audition this weekend and so far I really like what I hear. It's not the DV-50 in terms of quality of build, but as Eldartford said, it's a good unit (similar to the one he recommended, but newer) for the $800 the dealer said it will be if I keep it and I can wait to shell out several K until the format wars settle out.

I based my audition of the DV-47Ai on an article in the British press. I have a daughter who just spend a semester there and I have had her send me their audio magazines. I find that their reviewing is much more like ours was 20 years ago. They don't rave about everything and they do point out flaws and limitations where they see them. They also don’t seem to follow the current bent I see in the US audio magazines that more expensive automatically is better.

I found the Pioneer quite good, and at a street price of $800, very reasonable. I already have a top flight SACD player in the XA777ES, so I wasn't as concerned with the lack of pure DSD. I also separate my stereo and home theater, because I don't feel any of these multi-channel systems measure up to the state of the art in 2 channel reproduction. The medium is too young. My goal is to have a player that does a good job (not necessarily the absolute best) but can take whatever my mood calls for, from CD to DVD A and make it listenable. I feel the Pioneer does that.

I also opted for the McCormack MAP-1, to get a multi-channel analog pre-amp. I haven't taken possession of it, as the dealer didn't want to give up his only unit. I'm not expecting the same level of fidelity as a true high end stereo, but from the auditions, I think that surround is much better then just a few years ago. I have the Proceed PMDT/PAV/PDSD combo, which was about the state of the art just a few years ago (and certainly priced like it). I was amazed that the DVD, analog pre-amp combo bettered its sound, at least to my ears.

I do agree in a year there will be better players and that’s why I love Audiogon. I’ll sell some gear, like the Proceed combo I will shortly put up for sale, and some lucky person will get a system which has been carefully maintained and experience a far better setup then they might otherwise afford. And we audio fans, always in search of the best sound, will be looking for something better then we have today.