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Which are the top DVD-A players?

I'm curious to hear from DVD-A proponents. Which are the better
DVD/DVD-A players. I'm not interested in Universal Players, I am
interested to hear your experiences with DVD-A Players. Which
ones also have great redbood play-back, are also top DVD players, etc. If I could get some info at different price ranges --
even better. Also, which are the better DVD-A's, which recordings
show the medium to its fullest? Thank you.
rsbeck
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
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.
mgottlieb
334 posts
 
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.
brainwater
520 posts
 
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.
mitch2
4,229 posts
 
There are other options, check out Muse Model 10, Model 9 Signature, and Thalia. All are reported to be excellent with redbook CD and DVD-A. Links below.

http://www.museelectronics.com/thalia.html

http://www.museelectronics.com/new.html
john_z
178 posts
 
How about the new Arcam DV27A? I have not heard this player firsthand, but I have owned their FMJ CD23 (Ring-DAC) cd-player for almost two years now and have been VERY satisfied with it. If their new DVD-A player sounds anywhere near as good on DVD-A as the CD23 does on redbook, it should be AWESOME. I've been considering upgrading my older non-progressive-scan Sony DVD carousel with a new progressive scan universal/or DVD-A machine and the Arcam will definately be on my short-list to audition. Although in my case I would utilize the improvement in DVD video perfomance much more than the DVD-A since I do not plan on replacing my 1,000+ cd's just yet.. that's why I bought the CD23 and I'm not looking back - no regrets!
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