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Sony 9000es v. Phillips 963SA - anyone compared?

OK, the Sony is the internet darling, we know that. Infinitely modifiable, very well built, good stock performance, especially at the going rates.

The new Phillips at a retail of $500, with switchable 24/192 upsampling of redbook, and capability of playing CD-R, as well as SACD, is getting some good buzz.
Sony typically has excellent reliability, but POOR service experiences abound (I've had a few).
Phillips, onthe other hand, at least with the 1000 SACD, had some questionable reliability, and I've not heard anythign re: service experiences.

SO,

anyone compared the Redbook and SACD performance of these machines?

Should I sell my 9000ES???

thanks!
gthirteen
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,755 posts
 
Muralman1: I believe a DVD-A disc can be played by any DVD player but not necessarily the DVD-A layer. They also encode a DVD only layer which is what the Sony would use.
gofaststang
32 posts
 
I have a Sony 9000ES and it has played every DVD-A I have tried. It is probably playing the DVD-V layer. I think the DVD-V layer is 24/96.

I'm still a little confused about the difference between DVD-V and DVD-A, but I think DVD-A can play back a sampling rate of 192, whereas DVD-V can only do 96. However, many DVD-A layers seem to be 96, which means they are the same as the DVD-V layer.

So the Sony lets me enjoy both formats with one player, while the market sorts out which will survive.

If anyone can help clarify or correct my understanding of DVD discs, your comments are welcome.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
That is good news. It is DAD and DVD I am interested in. The DAD Rachmaninoff I have is very promising on my cheap DVD player. I am hoping upgrading to the Phillips will do even better.
hdm
1,056 posts
 
As stated above, the Sony and Philips do NOT do DVD Audio, but will play the DVD video layer which all DVD players will do. So if you upgrade to the Philips muralman, it will NOT play the DVD audio layer, so it will NOT do even better with DVD Audio because it doesn't do DVD audio. That is not to say that its redbook performance, or playing of the audio portion of the DVD video layer will not be as good as your other player-perhaps its redbook performance will be superior to the DVD Audio on your other player (I doubt it but who knows), but it (and the Sony) will NOT be playing DVD Audio.

Hope this is clear.
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