Anyone heard the Onkyo sp 1000 yet?

Tony,
The ranking is in the February issue on page 174 but the actual reveiw was 12-04.

Whith What Hi Fi saying the 1000 compares to the Estoric and Meridian player and one of the three German rags that all raved about the 1000 saying it compares to the Linn unidisk, I don't understand why more audiophools aren't trying an SP1000.

Well, I can't answer that, but for me it's a matter of reviewing all the published material, but more importatntly hearing from real users and then listening for myself. That takes a little time for me, anyway.

I don't put much stock in published reviews; had way too many instances where my own personal experience in how something sounded was not in agreement with somebody getting paid to say something. I do still read them, though. I have no doubt the SP1000 is a potentially great universal, but I place more weight into what people like you, and other owners, have to say as a guide in my own process of narrowing down the field. The one thing that is holding my actions at bay is a report from one or more well regarded AgoNers on a direct comparison between the SP1000 and the Marantz DV9500, primarily from an audio POV. I already know they are both great for video. I'm already an owner of a DV8400. It's a nice sounding player, but it does have the characteristic Marantz sound. I hear the 9500 is less so in that regard, but by comparison to that I'm not sure how the SP1000 sounds. I know that A+B does not necessarily = C, but I am frustrated with the lack of user experience with direct listening to both of these newer units.

I suppose I could just buy both and return the one I don't prefer, but I don't know that I could get them fully broken in for a fair comparison.

Ears, one other thing: I can't find any reference in HCC that they ever reviewed the DV9500.

Tony, I looked again at the rankings and its the 8400.
The only two personal audio comparisons I have seen on the 1000 and 9500 are Daltonlannys above and some poster on a UK board (Don't remeber which) that said he had both in home and kept the 1000.

I agree there is a lack of 1000 vs 9500 personal comparisons available anywhere that I can find.

I know Crutchfield is were I bought my 1000 and they have a 30 day return policy.
I beleive Music Direct has the 9500 with a 30 day return policy also if your interested in comparing the two personally.

There was a member at the Asylum that liked the 1000 better than his sa-14 for both redbook and sa-cd but I have no idea how the 9500 and sa-14 compare either.

For the record the other models were the Arcam DV79 and Denon 3910.

Also for the record the What HiFi October 04 comparison actually says that the Estoric was passed up by both the 1000 and Meridian player.
Although the Merdian was the overall winner, the reviewer felt the Onkyo edged it out videowise, and that the Onkyo was the "real star" of the three.

I don't buy on pro reviews either, but whens the last time you saw any rag pick a usually mid fi brand over the Estoric?

Greg

Yes, I think in Lanny's case he did not have an opportunity to listen to both at the same time. But I did momentarily forget that he had at least a chance to hear both in some fashion.

It's a strong case for the Onkyo. As I still have a dedicated 2 channel rig it makes it almost a no brainer, as for MC listening there appear to be very few rivals. How does the SP1000 handle levels, distance, and crossover for both DVD-A and SACD?