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Universal DVD player for HT, SACD and DVD-A

Wondering what players are musical enough to do well by SACD and DVD-A discs, but also provide great picture quality. I have a separate 2-channel system for redbook CDs so the player doesn't have to excel at that! I have no DVD-A or SACD discs, but would like to discover this media, so need to replace my cheapo Sony player.

The HDTV I have right now (a Toshiba 46H83 rear projection unit) does not have a HDMI connection, just one DVI and some component video connections. In order to somewhat future proof the DVD player (I know, there is no such thing) I would like it to have both a DVI and HDMI connection. I also need an optical connection for audio to my receiver.

Any such beast out there? My budget is about $500, but I could swing a bit more if the player is considered worth it.

Holly
oakiris
brownsanandy
92 posts
 
The pioneer 578 all in one player is now down to $79 at CC due to the fact that they have dropped the Pioneer DCD/SACD players all together. It was only $199 retail and had some very impressive reviews. One magazine said it sounded as good as anything 10x the price.

It did pretty well on the benchmark tests as well.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,713 posts
 
DVI-HDMI adapters are common. DVI and HDMI switches are also pretty common although good HDMI switches are not cheap and begin around $200.

Kal
theaudiotweak
2,805 posts
 
Holly the Denon DVD-5910 has the latest greatest Burr Brown dacs, an upgrade over the 3910..I may get to hear a tricked out version of the 5910 on Wednesday..Tom
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
Oakiris, I don't have a recommendation for a current Universal-Disc Player, but I own and love an absolutely stock Denon 2900, so probably you can't go wrong with the 3910.

Do understand that to get 6-channel hi-res sound out of your UDP you'll need 6 analog interconnects and inputs for them on your preamp/processor/receiver. I'm using and loving an all-analog Audio Refinements Pre 5*; all digital-to-analog processign in my system is done by the player. I'm also buying and LOVING multichannel SACDs and especially DVD-As of classical and large-scale film music.

* an 'interesting' name for a 6-channel preamp. Must be French!
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oakiris OP
206 posts
 
If I had a dedicated home theatre room I would go for the Denon DVD-5910, but $3500 is way more than I can justify for my casual HT use! Please let us know what it sounds like,though, Tom; it is supposed to be something special indeed.

Thanks for the info about the switch, Kal; I saw one for about $240 that looked good. On the other hand, I have read that since my HDTV is CRT based, a DVI connection really won't make much difference to the PQ, and component cables may do just as well. I need to figure out what player to get first, anyway, and then I'll consider the switch.

The Denon DVD-2910 is actually on my short list, along with the 3910. Price wise, the 2910 has the edge, and it has received some good reviews.

What I really need to do is find a local dealer and give some DVD players a test drive! Maybe I'll check into that later this week.

Holly
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