The Pioneer DV47Ai is an interesting unit, but as a DVD
player, it flunked the Secrets of Home Theatre shoot-out.
I believe you will always pay a sonic price for trying to
have it all in one box.
And, you can get really good DVD players now for $300.
Why pay $1,200 for a DVD player that flunked a shoot-out?
I just think, when you can assure yourself of a really
good DVD player for $300, why not separate it out and
spend the wad on music playback.
But, that's also because music is a high priority for me.
I also don't like to paint myself into dead-ends with
my gear. If you buy a Universal Player and then want
to significantly upgrade your sound, you go buy a CD/SACD
player and suddenly you've got a 1,000 -- 1,200 DVD player
on your hands.
That's what I did and I wouldn't do it that way again.
But, if music isn't that important to you, you're not
the type to get itchy and upgrade, and you want to save
space, I had a good experience with my Yamaha s2300 and
under those parameters, I would recommend it to you.
I would look at that player or the Denon. I would also
check out the Marantz Universal Player. The Marantz
didn't score well as a DVD player, but some have said
they can live with the DVD aspect because it is much
better than the Yamaha and Denon on music playback.
I believe the Marantz sells for something like $1,400
[New].
player, it flunked the Secrets of Home Theatre shoot-out.
I believe you will always pay a sonic price for trying to
have it all in one box.
And, you can get really good DVD players now for $300.
Why pay $1,200 for a DVD player that flunked a shoot-out?
I just think, when you can assure yourself of a really
good DVD player for $300, why not separate it out and
spend the wad on music playback.
But, that's also because music is a high priority for me.
I also don't like to paint myself into dead-ends with
my gear. If you buy a Universal Player and then want
to significantly upgrade your sound, you go buy a CD/SACD
player and suddenly you've got a 1,000 -- 1,200 DVD player
on your hands.
That's what I did and I wouldn't do it that way again.
But, if music isn't that important to you, you're not
the type to get itchy and upgrade, and you want to save
space, I had a good experience with my Yamaha s2300 and
under those parameters, I would recommend it to you.
I would look at that player or the Denon. I would also
check out the Marantz Universal Player. The Marantz
didn't score well as a DVD player, but some have said
they can live with the DVD aspect because it is much
better than the Yamaha and Denon on music playback.
I believe the Marantz sells for something like $1,400
[New].