Best CD sound from a DVD player

Maybe we all should be looking at the Marantz DV8300 which is the latest "one box wonder". I know... its ugly but look anyway!!! This thing plays SACD, SACD MultiChannel, CD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, MP3, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW and video CD. Damn!

With its component video/progressive scan and 12-bit video DAC, I presume its at least at par with the Sony DV-9000ES for video.

How's the audio???? I doubt much of the Marantz SA-1 technology flowed into this box - maybe the SA14?.. Also, its Marantz's first attempt at a DVD-A machine - so that is questionable - but at least you've got it.

This is certainly one machine which could benefit from modifications. Maybe if enough of us started knocking on Dan Wright's door - he'd round up Jena Crock and build a upgraded tube analog output, power supply, and parts upgrade for under 2K - which is about what it costs to do full upgrades to a XA777ES.

By the way.... anyone here ever listen to one of these things?

The Camelot Roundtable is supposed to be a very good CD player and about the best available DVD player. The MK 1 version can be found here used for around $2k. I just bought a used EAD TheaterVision P for about $1200 which is very good on both CD and DVD. No SACD on either though.

The proceed PMDT is fabluous but may be over your range. It is software upgradable. A lot depends on your surround processor. If your using player for this than other issues come into play. The pioneer 47/A has all the features for a good price. I have heard sony's comparable unit has a better processor for more money. If like most people today with multichannel systems you are doing outboard processing decide the level of money. The proceed is incredible. The pioneer great for less.

BWhite--Just bear in mind that the DV-8300 uses Crystal's second-best DAC chipset, not their best one. I have to admit, though, that I haven't heard the unit myself, nor have I seen any available reviews for it (I check online twice a day while I'm bored at work and thinking about music). And yes...it's ugly. If I ran the world, every single component on earth would be available in silver/aluminum finish. (I suppose I would call that place, "Great Britain.")

Thedautch - ya.. I think the DV8300 uses the CS4392 DAC vs. the CS4397 (SA-1). However, I do not know what DAC Marantz uses in the SA14 - it might be the CS4392.

The 8300 is definately a tier two product in the Marantz linup but then again, people have had good results modifying Sony's lower end SACD players and DVP9000ES units.

In this regard, Sony SCD-1, 777ES, and XA777ES absolutely kill the 9000ES but we don't read about many 9000ES owners complaining.

So - maybe the DV8300 is a good candidate for mod. While its SACD / CD performance might not be up to the level of the top tier SACD units, it has capabilities that these players can only dream about.