Great Blu-ray or DVD player for CD Transport


So I'd like to switch to a universal player to watch movies and listen to my CD's. My main concern is redbook CD performance through digital out (SPDIF or AES/EBU), not video. Even a DVD player that looks good on a 42" 720P HDTV is fine with me. Having a blu ray player would be nice but frankly I don't care too much. Faster CD loading times would also be a plus.

I currently am using an Oppo 981 DVD player as a transport. It's ok, but tends to sound a little bright compared to other dedicated CD transports I've used. The player would be used with a TACT M2150X digital amplifier so I don't need a DAC. Something under $500 used would be preferred.

Any thoughts?
dsutfin
Dsutfin, does DV-79avi do Multi-channel SACD/High Res. DVD
Audio Disks? Will it downmix these to 2 Channels? This has
atleast 1/3 wider and deeper Soundstage than Redbook CD.
No faky or fuzzy Dolby Surround Sound here, not when downmixed. Sounds crystal clear without ANY Digititus in the high frequencies. First time that I have ever heard THAT, off of an Optical Music Disk!
I have an Onkyo DV-SP1000(same as Integra DPS-10.5) and could not be more happy. This unit is rock solid(26+ lbs) with one of the smoothest and quietest transports I have ever seen. While the internal DAC's are good(Wolfson), used as a digital transport is the way to go. Here is an ad for one that just sold.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1284950508&/Onkyo-DV-SP1000-sacd--dvd-a--c

Take a look at this thread with photos.

http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/p/121839/1229300.aspx

Bill
Checked out Onkyo DV-SP1000 on forums.klipsch, Willland.
It looks like a very nice Unit. The claim on forums.klipsch
is that it will not do HD DVD. I don't know if this is true
or not. If it is then it will not do Multi-Channel HD DVD
audio, nor will it Downmix these to two Channels. I am still amazed at how such Players can still wring out even
more performance out of 2 Channel Redbook CD. Still think
that 2 Channel SACD/HD DVD Audio sounds worse than CD.
Probably why the guy in forums.klipsch moved his HD DVD
Player. I think that the Manufacturers tried compensating
by utilizing Multi-Channel SACD, and Multi-Channel HD DVD
Audio. Downmixing these to 2 Channel,IMHO, set a whole new
Standard when done correctly. No-one even seems to be aware, or there would be more Audiophiles familiar with this. Could be the HD Multi-Channel Downloads completely
blotted these Disks into oblivion, sad!
Pettyofficer,

The Onkyo DV-SP1000 is a pre-BD/HDDVD universal player. It will play all formats(CD, SACD, DVD-A, DVD, etc.) except for Blu-ray and HDDVD. Redbook CD's sound awesome. I have never played any SACD's or DVD-A's with this player. By the way, that is my player in the photos on the Klipsch forum. I am actively looking for a second Onkyo DV-SP1000 or Integra DPS-10.5 in black to use with my bedroom system.

Bill
Willland,
You say that the Onkyo DV-SP1000 is a pre-BD/HDDVD
Universal Player. Then you claim that it will play all
formats(CD,SACD,DVD-A,DVD,etc.) except for Blu-ray and
***HDDVD***. I will give you and Onkyo the benefit of the
doubt, but first which is it? Does it play High Resolution
Multi-Channel DVD-Audio and Downmix to 2 Channels? Does it
play Multi-Channel SACD and Downmix to 2 Channels? If it does, I stand corrected. If it does, I might try to
purchase one. I am just trying to find out for information
purposes only. Sorry for the misunderstanding!