Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

Jsbail: If I were interested in, or needed a DVD player (because I already have a DAC that I like the sound of) picking up the 9000ES would be a no brainer. If I were in the market for both playbacks - DVD/CD-w-DAC - (SACD would just be the icing on the cake). We have played less than 10 videos in 10 years, which is why DVD does not interest me. I would like to eventually use my CAL player, as a stand alone, in another system and will take a look at what's available then (as I would need another player/transport). Now to drive everyone crazy: Has anyone seen the Japanese (domestic) version of the 9000ES with the champagne front cover and case? There were a few auctions of this model on Ebay a while back and it was very striking (more so than a black box), IMO. I wonder if a dealer could order this version (which looked similar to the top of line Marantz model)?

Dekay----I'm in the same boat as regards DVD. I can't imagine why anyone buys movies today, or even rents them for that matter. I'm now on digital cable and there's more stuff available, either HBO, etc., or PPV, than I have time, or wish to take time, to watch. I know there are music videos of classical content, but the few I've seen are so contrived I have no desire to watch them, much less to own them.

I think I'll probably hold off buying anything right now, and see what Sony comes up with in the next few months. I've heard rumors about an SACD player in the $500 range. It's gotta happen sooner or later.

As far as uncertainty is concerned, I think the thing that ISN't uncertain is that SACD/DVD will take over, just as CDs took over from LPs.(I recently read that Doug Sax Mastering is selling their analog cutting lathes and gearing up for SACDs, so LPs may soon be in their final death throes.) I keep hearing of chips being the truly next big thing, but that's probably a few years away and will be really traumatic for many companies and consumers.
Jim

The reason people buy and rent dvd sotware is because it is superior to crap digital cable and has dd and dts,and in the case of the sony 9000 over 500 lines of resolution.I personnally do not like music in multi channel or the video.But if you ever experience a good looking and sounding setup,so called digital cable is like cable in comparison.the 9000 just made sght clas aa right next to the cal audio 2500,and if they counted sacd sound quality it would be a class above the cal player.

Ears--- I think it's great that video has that importance to you. I suppose I'm very lucky in that the few movies I watch are quite satisfactory, to me at least, on my 19" TV set! In all honesty, I see very, very few movies advertised in which I have any interest whatsoever, whether watched on my set or on a screen as big as the side of a house, with detail like a fine color photograph. I've got enough obsessions already without adding video to the pile!
My only justification for switching to digital cable was for a greater variety of programming----primarily for Speedvision. Yeah----cars are one of my obsessions! Porsches specifically.

If I were into high rez video I would no longer be agonizing over the purchase of a 9000ES----it would already be in my rack!
Jim

ah, hence the 914 nut handle,video comes a far distant second to audio for me also.But if my family wants to watch movies,i make the effort to have decent sound and picture quality.there are a lot of old classics on dvd also,not just the latest blockbusters.Although not quite a porshe i do have an oo lightning that i drag race and beat new vettes with.It is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.Phillips is supposed to have a car sacd player coming out,but i would not be able to hear it in this particular vehicle.Iknow what you mean about obsessions,i always need more than one hobby,audio is just one.