Universal Players: Video Quality?

FWIW I own a DV-50 now, and have tried the "S" version, the Denon 3910, the Integra DPS 10.5, the Simaudio Orbiter, the Lexicon RT-10, the Krell Showcase, and the Meridian G98 (it think it was the 98). The Krell I never tried the video on, but the audio was really good.

For video only, the Integra was the best stand alone solution. But ultimately I got rid of it because it had a severe lip sync problem that was random and intolerable. Even my wife couldn't stand it. Its audio was only very slightly better than the 3910 in my system.

The 3910's video was pretty good, but the 3910 and the 10.5 were the bottom of the bunch when it came to audio. I even went through the trouble of modding a 3910 for a serious amount of money and it still was not as good as the stock DV-50. That whole experience was an expensive mistake.

To get the video up to the Integra level that I got spoiled to, I got an iScan HD+ for a DV-50. With the external video processor, the video surpasses any stand alone unit in my set-up, plus I get significant picture controls over any input. Keep in mind many DVI players do not offer any picture control when using DVI. The same is true for displays.

My findings with the DV-50S were mixed. The audio was great as would be expected. Here’s is where it gets convoluted - I have a Sharp XV-Z10000U DLP projector, and when I used the DVI from the DV-50S to the Projector, it passed all of the test screens with flying colors. I was very pleased. But, to me there was something missing and I couldn't figure it out until I was watching Shrek 2 with my kids. When I toggled between DVI and Component on this one scene I could see that Shrek had significant facial stubble when using component (this is good detail), but much of that stubble was missing when I used DVI. It was washed out and did not show the detail. I messed with whatever settings I could, but I could not fix it. I was very bummed. It may be because the scaler in the Sharp is not that good because I see big differences when I feed it different resolutions. I just cannot explain it, but I saw it.

That is when I got out of the "S" and back into a standard DV-50 and got the iScan. Now I have the great audio AND even better video than what the 10.5 delivered. And surprisingly, I am using the component connection between the player and processor which is not ideal due to extra d/a-a/d conversion.

For audio, the Simaudio was very nice. To me even a little better than the DV-50, but it has no channel level controls for its multi-channel output. Since I use different speakers and amplifiers all around, I need to set the output volume/level of each channel to balance the sound for mc-music. My pre/pro only has a multi-channel pass-through, so it couldn’t do it. This is an important feature that anyone who wants to explore multi-channel needs to be aware of. I was surprise to learn how many players could not set these levels because most use the same Pioneer platform. Ultimately I kept the venerable DV-50…still. There is a reason this player is used as comparison to many other players…it is just a very solid all around performer.

Also, the Meridian was incredible for two channel, and it is just a transport! It was probably the best sound in my system, but I wanted a universal. The Lexicon and the Krell sounded very similar, and both were very good. But, again the Krell is not a universal, and I didn't try the
HDMI output, and the lexicon was not quite up to the DV-50 level on audio, but it is close. The RT-10's video by itself is horrible too…in my system, but then again I did not use the iScan with it.

So for me, the DV-50/iScan HD+ has given me satisfaction for both audio and video together. If I had to step down a bit, a close second that I would not hesitate to try is a Lexicon RT-10 with the iScan. The Lexicons are going for $1600 on Agon (a bargain), and you could get one modded with an SDI output at JVB digital and be truly set.

This is the longest post I have ever written…sorry, but I toiled through this experience. I am really happy it’s over. It gets very old real fast. Ultimately, only you can judge what sounds right, and what is worth the money, time, and effort. It is all very system dependent, but this was my personal experience. Good Luck.

I've had a few universal players and currently use an APL modified McIntosh MVP861. The stock player is "essentially" a McIntosh re-engineered Denon with a hot-rodded power supply in a nice case. The video on the player is fantastic! Easily better than the Denon 3910 (which had strange macroblocking issues).

The sound quality of the stock MVP861 is just hideous. Dark, closed in, undynamic, etc. Terrible!

I took my MVP861 to APL HiFi who has a very popular and highly regarded modification service for the Denon 2900, 3910 and other universal players. I begged them for help!

Fortunately APL was able to help.

Most high end modification services focus on re-building the stock (cheap) power supplies but in the case of the McIntosh APL said it was an awesome power supply - and they doubt that they could improve it.

What APL did do to improve the sound was to parallel the DACS and add a DSP Clock. Not an expensive modification.

I must report, the sound of the revised McIntosh is way, way, way, better than I ever expected. Even Alex at APL was blown away saying that the MVP861 sounded somewhere in-between his modified Denon 3910 and Esoteric UX-1.

Good stuff on this post. I too use an older Camelot Tech, Roundtable MKIII for both DVD and CD playback in my media room. CD audio sounds awesome, with no outboard DAC inline, and the video quality, running component as Roundtable lacks DVI/HDMI outputs, is very solid, detailed and filmlike. My display is a front projector single chip DLP with Faroudja processing 720p native res. I have a separate stereo system in another room with Camelot Morganna used as Transport with a BelCanto DAC inline. I don't listen to much music in my theater room until I get one that can play DVD-Audio and SACD. My concern is getting into an HDMI player to tide me over until HD DVD/ BlueRay shakes down. I'd heard the Denon 2910-3910 are nice inexpensive options. And what about a current model ARCAM Universal player with DVI/HDMI outs? Also reasonable and very well-reviewed?? Anyone seen it?

DBLD: What make is a dv-50?

Thanks,
Bob

The DV-50 is made by Esoteric. Does the Arcam play both DVD-A and SACD? I thought it only did one one these formats.

Dbld,

My experience with the Esoteric is just the opposite. I had the DV-50, and had it upgraded, and found the picture to have a much more detailed display via DVI, almost adding a three dimensionality to the picture on the 61" Samsung DLP RPTV.

Ken