Sacd / Dvda universal players

I kinda of discredit the marantz and pioneer because they do not play SACD in true DSD they down mix to pcm. I think they are missing the boat there but I feel it is probably easier for them to make it universal that way. I stand corrected about them being second gen but until they have fully DSD capability I would not really consider them as universal players I am interested in.

"Deven8":

In your first list of affordable universal players, I have read reviews of four of those players, and so far, what I have read has not compelled me to go out and spend a grand on any of them. Of all of the ones that are on that list, the one that seems to be the most promising so far is the Yamaha S2300. The Integra DPS-8.3 has left me going ho-hum so far. I don't know anything as to how the Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai stacks up, but my initial impression of its predesessor (the DV-47A) hasn't been too impressive. And I am disappointed by every review that I have read on the Marantz DV8300, so I have pretty much crossed the Marantz DV8300 off my short list. The jury is still out on the Denon DVD-2900, and understandedly so. A month ago, I was really interested in this machine. But now, with the negative press that (affordable) universal machines have been getting so far, I had to scale my enthusiasm of this machine back a little bit, as I am supicious about this machine as well. With exception of maybe some circuitry (or might I say lack thereof) that is inside the DVD-2900, it appears to be the offspring of the flagship Denon DVD-9000. And the build quality seems to be top notch for what is essentially a $1,000.00 machine. I "REALLY" want to like this machine so much. But I have to see what the press says about it first before I even think about adding one to my system. And also, I will add that a used Sony DVP-S9000ES and the newer DVP-NS999ES have also topped my shortlist.

But right now, I applaud your move in going with a less expensive player such as the Philips. Because that what I think I am going to do also. I think the road I am going to take right now is to get me a Philips DVD963SA (which lists for about $500.00, but if I shop around on the net, I think I can get me one for about $400.00 plus shipping) as well. Try it out in my system for a month (in reference to redbook CD playback), and then if I feel the need and desire to, just add an anti-jitter system and an outboard DAC (either a used Camlot Arthur or MSB Link DAC II or III and P1000 Power Base Power Supply) to it, and wait until the dust settles.

Once the dust settles for once and for all, I'll go ahead and invest in either a reference CD player or a reference quality universal player then.

--Charles--

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.

The Marantz 8400 DOES NOT convert DSD to PCM.

--Lenard

I am inclined towards the two box solution. High def. video recorders/players are just around the corner. A good SACD/CD player now and a DVD-A/highrez DVD player tommorow is my gameplan.