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DVD-A player - while they still exist

My Denon 2910 is on its last legs. It no longer plays SACDs or CDs. I fear it won't play DVD-As much longer. I also fear DVD-A players will disappear from the market. I only know of two still around - the Ayre universal and the Oppo 95. Even Meridian seems to have given up on the format.
I only have a few DVD-As, but they're important to me. I don't want to lose the ability to listen to them.
So I'm wondering if I should buy a good player while I still can. Maybe one of the last Meridians, used? Or a new Oppo? I'd have to keep it under $4,000, preferably way under $4,000, unless it was also the best CD player I had ever heard.
Any suggestions?
achilles
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
You can rip the audio from a DVD-A and play it back on a computer based sever and a DAC if you have to. Better yet, I would suggest you explore that now since you need a new player.


+1. This is exactly what I due and stream it to my PS Audio DAC/Bridge.
dan31
17 posts
 
You may want to consider the Ayre C5xe. Very reliable and the company has a track record of longevity and servIce. It's not just DAC's, the implementation in the analog stages count for a lot. Good luck with your search.
mitch2
3,969 posts
 
The new Oppo and the Ayre listed above are good choices. You should look at the upgrades offered for the Oppo on the Modwright website. Another good choice is either of the two players currently offered by MUSE, a company with a long track record of offering well built, good sounding, high quality digital products. Their Polyhymnia is a true universal player and their Erato II (which they indicate is even better sonically) plays DVD-A, DVD, CD, and CD-R, but not SACD. Both are also video players, but not Blu-ray. One great thing about MUSE is that they will upgrade any product to their latest models.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
What file type do you rip DVD-A to, using what program, and will any DAC play it back?

Thx.
achilles OP
135 posts
 
Wow, thanks for the tips. I'm intrigued by the Arcam and Muse suggestions, as well as the PC scenario.
I'm not willing to buy another Denon player, however reliable they've been for Elizabeth. I'm on my second one and it's failing the same way the first one did. It's too bad, too, because they sound great.
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