"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--
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--