What's a great multi format player under a $1,000?

Mdhoover

again, thanks. Thanks a lot. Price has a way most of the time of separating great from good, in audioland. I understand where the Integra is in that scheme. You've done no harm. In fact though you have allowed me to add another thought to my designs on digital playback... as well as has the folks at Benchmark... I don't know if ALL DAC's are 100% capable of eliminating 'jitter' from the transport, but given all theinfo I've seen lately they do a pretty good job at eliminating a bunch of it... and I've a fair transport already. Just not for DVD/DVDA, hence this little info request... and I'd simply not wish to throw tons of duckets at one either.

So thanks again. I understand.

Any one else having other thoughts on inexpensive multi format players out there that have above average capacity on their own for playback of the audio side of things?

I sure would like to know.

The Denon 2910 is well under that #, new, in stock form and I imagine the 3910 is as well, at least used.

Swamp....

You really think the Denon is worthwhiel? I get the impression for some, that once it's modded it is good, but not until... sort of bothers me a unit needs far more work to become acceptable. Just seems like a hassle to me. Though I'll keep in mind the 2900, and 3900 as you say...

It's odd that no one has hit on the Marantz units. they get a bunch of press, as do the Denons. My experience with Denon isn't too good... all the ones I've heard have been with so-so gear, usually mass media equipment. So I've always envisioned them as only in that category... save the modded ones. When the 'mods' are added into the fray, it's a different story altogether, isn't it?

It's begining to look a lot like a transport & DAC to me as the way to go with digital and that'll sure stretch things... and be lots harder that way 'round. though it is appreciated much to hear the notion.

I love my Onkyo DV-SP 1000. It is built like a tank & sounds very good with my Benchmark. I have not run audio outs as I listen through my Benchmark DAC but it has a similar liquid quality like my old belt driven transport, almost analog like if at all possible.

At $1K for a multi-foramt, I think your options are limited. Not sure "great" is in the cards. The advantage of the Denon is that if you like, you can have it modded later, unless you are philosophically opposed to it. If you are, then maybe you want to think about older gen multi-players like the Sony 9000ES, although it apparently has some known glitches. Or maybe a Muse unit, although I am not sure if there is on w/DVD-A that will come in under $1K. The problem with a DAC and Transport is that you can't get SACD (not even sure if you can get DVD-A) that way unless you go with the megabuck EMM stuff, IIRC. BTW, if you have DVD, you will get multi-channel.