As I suspected, this topic is drawing debate, some of which -- inevitably -- focuses on the merits and demerits of DVD vs. CD players. I must humbly disagree with Natalie's commments, though she is certainly welcome to her opinion. Major Japanese manufacturers have been producing some excellent higher-end equipment for many years, and the Pioneer Elite line is certainly in that group.
I have been a serious audiophile since the mid-1960's, been a member of several audiophile clubs, and have twice supported myself professionally by selling high-end audio gear. That does not mean that my opinion is the final word, but it does mean that I've had a lot of opportunity to listen to and objectively compare a number of brands of CD and DVD players. A well-made, upper end (as opposed to high end) DVD player often has a heftier power supply than many CD players, and most of the DAC's used in both CD and DVD players are made by the same manufacturers (Motorola, etc.). Therefore, choosing a combined DVD/CD player not only makes fiscal sense for many buyers, but practical sense as well if you have limited dollars or limited space.
As I mentioned in my first post, I worked for some years for Spectra-Physics, one of the major laser manufacturers in the U.S. Lasers for DVD's and CD's are virtually a commodity today, as are DAC's and other processor chips. This isn't to say that there are no quality differences -- there are -- but pricing is based mainly on quantity, and as someone above noted, manufacturing costs are largely a function of volume. Hence, many of the boutique high-end companies that virtually hand-build their products -- but who still buy the component parts from the same manufacturers as high-volume builders -- cannot compete directly on price with larger electronics firms.
Ultimately, you should audition several units IN YOUR HOME -- both CD players and DVD/CD players -- and let your own ears decide. As Pbb noted in the preceding comment, don't fall for the high-end argument that more $$$ = better sound. Tain't necessarily so........
I have been a serious audiophile since the mid-1960's, been a member of several audiophile clubs, and have twice supported myself professionally by selling high-end audio gear. That does not mean that my opinion is the final word, but it does mean that I've had a lot of opportunity to listen to and objectively compare a number of brands of CD and DVD players. A well-made, upper end (as opposed to high end) DVD player often has a heftier power supply than many CD players, and most of the DAC's used in both CD and DVD players are made by the same manufacturers (Motorola, etc.). Therefore, choosing a combined DVD/CD player not only makes fiscal sense for many buyers, but practical sense as well if you have limited dollars or limited space.
As I mentioned in my first post, I worked for some years for Spectra-Physics, one of the major laser manufacturers in the U.S. Lasers for DVD's and CD's are virtually a commodity today, as are DAC's and other processor chips. This isn't to say that there are no quality differences -- there are -- but pricing is based mainly on quantity, and as someone above noted, manufacturing costs are largely a function of volume. Hence, many of the boutique high-end companies that virtually hand-build their products -- but who still buy the component parts from the same manufacturers as high-volume builders -- cannot compete directly on price with larger electronics firms.
Ultimately, you should audition several units IN YOUR HOME -- both CD players and DVD/CD players -- and let your own ears decide. As Pbb noted in the preceding comment, don't fall for the high-end argument that more $$$ = better sound. Tain't necessarily so........