Decent DVD Player

I have a Pioneer Elite DV-37 which I like very much: outstanding picture quality, excellent audio, and fine construction. I bought mine discounted for $650 (MSRP is $1000) -- if you are interested in contacting the seller, drop me a private E-mail.

Pioneer DV-37 (or is it the DV-38 for 2002?). Progressive scan. Good player. If you can pick up a Sony DVP-9000ES it is awesome (I own one). Sony has also just come out with a new progressive scan DVD player that lists for about $299 I think. This is a cheaper alternative. My vote for preamp, purely for audio/video, still goes to the B&K Ref-30 over the Acurus. Good luck.

Jacasio:

I concur with the above. Most of the players Pioneer make are decent players to begin with. But according to your equipment level that is listed above, I would be looking at one of their "Elite" players at the very least. Both of the players I am going to list are both progressive scan players, so both of them should deliver a superb picture. But what you want afterwards will depend on your needs, wants and priorities.

(01). The Pioneer Elite DV-C36 is worth looking into if you want the convenience of a changer.

(02). The Pioneer Elite DV-37 (which is the one that I also have) is worth looking into if you are into a machine that lets you fine tune the machine according to the display that you are using. Also, if you want outstanding sound quality (which I have recently discovered, having to try it out in my audio system and came away flabergasted........ I may have found my "high-end" CD Player, even though I been using it as my DVD Player for the last seven months. Hey, so much for getting a Meridian 506.24 or an Arcam CD72. Gee, I think I may have saved myself about $1000.00. I think I am going to keep the DV-37 in my audio system for now on, and I'll just get me one of those newer and affordable progressive scan players for my TV for a Christmas present) and build quality. I concur with "Sdcampbell" completely. I purchased mine locally. I paid $700.00 for my machine (my dealer sells it for $800.00...... just because I was an excellent customer to him for about 20 years, he gave me $100.00 off on my machine when I bought mine). But it retails for $1,000.00.

Also, I would also look at the Panasonic RP-91 and the Sony DVP-S9000ES (which has recently taken a price cut (according to my dealer, anyway). I believe you should be able to land one for about $1,100.00).

Let us know what you will eventually decide on.

Good Luck.

--Charles--

I use the original Sony DVP-S7000. It's a great player, although it DOES NOT pass a DTS signal. The later model the 7700, does. Both occasionally pop up used for less than $500. Build quality is excellent.

Jason,

Most of the comments you've received are on the money - the Pioneer Elite line offers exceptional performance/value. If you're hawking value, then the DV-37 is the choice; if you want absolute performance (short of about 5K), then the big brother DV-38A is it. While I am a Sony fan, the 9000es is older and cannot compete with the DV-38A (I've had them side by side for comparison). If you want any help in the acquisition, just drop me a line - good luck,

Mark