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The new line of Sony DVD/SACD players

Just in time for xmas, my musicdirect catalog came in mail this week. In it, I found an interesting Sony ad, depicting thier line of relatively inexpensive players. They changed up thier $1000 model, making it a little more normal looking. Who knows what else, if anything, they did to it?. The most interesting is the single disc player for $299 (the DVP-NS500V). To me, a poor man, that sounds like a good deal. Lots of toy-value, but i do not have time to watch movies...just time to type. Knowing Sony, it probably plays DVDs well. It will be interesting to see how well it plays SACDs, and to a lesser degree, CDs. Has anyone checked this out yet? It seems to me, however, that the average person who would buy this might not get a large increase in sound quality. The improved signal generated by SACD, relative to CD, might lose its steam after going through a dude's reciever, generic cable, and polk speakers. I really don't know, though. Does anybody here? I might check one out, compare it to my RCD-971. Hopefully my friend, who is now looking for a DVD player, will buy it. Then maybe we will get the low-down. Good luck to Sony in puching SACD. I am guessing that this player will be the most significant model in attracting attention to the format.
ohlala
2001impala's avatar
2001impala
102 posts
 
Previously, I have listened to the sacd format through semi- reference components. And was also skepticle as to the potential advantage for systems souch as you have described. However, a couple of weeks ago I took the liberty of stopping by a local Circuit City and auditioned one of Sony's new less expensive line of sacd players and was quit impressed. I would suggest that you do the same.

PS. You might consider upgrading your speaker cables and interconnects a bit audio advisor carries a variety of cheap cables.
memeboy
46 posts
 
I purchased the NS-500V about 2 months ago, mostly for the DVD video. I hooked it up briefly to make sure the 5.1 SACD was working, and it sounded pretty darned good with the enclosed demo disk. I have also listened to the SACD demo disk in stereo for a few hours and it sounds both smooth and very detailed. I hear no glare or edginess. In fact, it sounds good enough that I have put a hold on most of my CD purchases in the hopes that I can get the same material in the SACD format. I have been using a Yamaha receiver and Spendor SP1 speakers. I have not had time to hook up the NS500V to my Audio Research amps. Maybe I'll have time over the holidays. The problem is that I need a 6 channel volume control and cannot find one at a reasonable price.
ohlala OP
1,242 posts
 
Oh, I wasn't talking about my system, but the system of the average Joe who frequents BestBuy-type establishments. Although I can see now how my post would be read that way, I was not referring to purchasing one myself. I just think that it is an interesting product in general, maybe someone I know who does not want to spend a lot of money on a system would enjoy it.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I bought the DVP-NS500V two weeks ago. For under $300 it's a fine "training wheels" SACD player, but don't expect to be blown away. Do expect a long break-in period during which it sounds pretty bad. I'd love to see a comparison between this unit and some of the earlier, more expensive SACD machines.
puroagave
17 posts
 
I've been using one for the last 2-weeks and I think it's a giant killer for the price. If you've been thinking of getting into SACD on the cheap, then this is the ticket (BTW, video is also excellent on my non-HD set). Paid $248 + shipping from www.legacyaudiovideo.com
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