Which are the top DVD-A players?

I believe there is less variation in DVD-A players than SACD players. Perhaps this is because the DVD-A technology is just an extension of the mature CD PCM technology: 24 bits instead of 16 and 96KHz instead of 44.1KHz. There are more new lessons to be learned for SACD. Of course the output analog circuitry in important for all formats, and can be addressed by mods. When I upgraded my universal player the SACD performance improved but the DVD-A was not significantly changed.

The "full capability" of DVD-A does include multichannel. I will put in my usual plug for Tacet discs of classical chamber music. $29 a pop from elusivedisc.com.

If you're going to rule out universal players,you are pretty much left with the Meridian, which costs a fortune. The Esoteric DV-50 universal player has very good CD performance, but can be beaten by a number of more costly units; has excellent SACD performance, but my SACD player, which costs much more, beats it; but its DVD-A side is absolutely extraordinary. I don't know where you can hear better right now, except for the Meridian.

Meridian is the leading company with the 598 and new G series coming out . The company has their propritary " smart link " that keeps the signal in the digital domain. They are also of course the creators of the MLP format. Mated with one of their processors like the Meridian 861 v 3 series and you have the finest dvd-a currently has to offer.