DVD Player Recommendations Please
Posted by: John on 02 March 2003
I'm lookng at jumping into the home theatre idea and would some suggestions on what DVD players I should consider. I plan to use a projector (Maybe Sony lowest price model) and run the sound through my Naim system 52/135/NBLs. At this point I'm only considering a sterio for the audio as a centre speaker won't work well between my NBLs and I can't accomodate rear speakers.
How far has the DVD technology come along? Are there big differences between a the budget line, mid line and high end?
Any help is appreciated.
John
How far has the DVD technology come along? Are there big differences between a the budget line, mid line and high end?
Any help is appreciated.
John
John,
As Chris mentions, I would also second a Sony DVD player, and agree with his comments re the 9000ES. But then I would, as I own one..
The top 'mainstream' brands would most likely include Toshiba, Sony, Pioneer, and in the UK Arcam, and Meridian if you have lots of $$.
As Chris suggests, one needs to audition and pick the player that most suits YOU.
For me, the most balanced performer overall, for picture, and sound on movies, was the Sony. I did not audition Meridian, as it was more than I was prepared to pay, but did audition the others (top models).
The 9000ES has been superseded by the 999ES, which offers improved video DACS, and multi-channel SACD surround sound capability.
An American review placed it ahead of the Arcam FMJDVD27, in picture performance, and at less cost to boot.
In my experience, I've found the top Sony equipment to be beautifully made and finished, a pleasure to use and live with, and very much up on the top tier re performance, excluding high end cost no object exotica etc.
As usual, YMMV, but I would suggest that Pioneer, Sony, and Toshiba would be a good place to start re having some demo's.
Good Luck,
John...
Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary
As Chris mentions, I would also second a Sony DVD player, and agree with his comments re the 9000ES. But then I would, as I own one..
The top 'mainstream' brands would most likely include Toshiba, Sony, Pioneer, and in the UK Arcam, and Meridian if you have lots of $$.
As Chris suggests, one needs to audition and pick the player that most suits YOU.
For me, the most balanced performer overall, for picture, and sound on movies, was the Sony. I did not audition Meridian, as it was more than I was prepared to pay, but did audition the others (top models).
The 9000ES has been superseded by the 999ES, which offers improved video DACS, and multi-channel SACD surround sound capability.
An American review placed it ahead of the Arcam FMJDVD27, in picture performance, and at less cost to boot.
In my experience, I've found the top Sony equipment to be beautifully made and finished, a pleasure to use and live with, and very much up on the top tier re performance, excluding high end cost no object exotica etc.
As usual, YMMV, but I would suggest that Pioneer, Sony, and Toshiba would be a good place to start re having some demo's.
Good Luck,
John...
Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary
"The best value in DVD players is still the Sony 9000ES" Chris Bell
Have you heard the Rotel DVD-1080 retailed for $1,500 now selling for $1,000, soon to be discontinued? Knowing how Rotel matches up against Sony, I would think the Rotel would have the upper hand. I'm using one and it sounds pretty good for DVD's DVD-A as well as CD's.
Have you heard the Rotel DVD-1080 retailed for $1,500 now selling for $1,000, soon to be discontinued? Knowing how Rotel matches up against Sony, I would think the Rotel would have the upper hand. I'm using one and it sounds pretty good for DVD's DVD-A as well as CD's.
I'd go for a new Arcam DV27 (£1,600), or maybe wait until the DVD-A version is available. For the money there is not a better sound player on the market. I'm sure Gordon will agree.
Richard Wilson
Student and Freelance Installer
Richard Wilson
Student and Freelance Installer
As to the choice of say a 'mainstream' Japanese DVD player, or the likes of the Arcam, it depends on what you want it for IMHO.
If it is to be a dual purpose machine/usuage, ie DVD/movie, and CD/music use, then I would recommend the Arcam DVD 88, or the 88+ (although I haven't auditioned this latest update to the 88) as it is probably the best compromise solution going re an excellent picture, movie and CD sound out of one 'box'.
However, should you already have a top level CD player, Naim etc, and simply want the DVD for movie use, then in picture terms, the Sony and Toshiba will comfortably outperform the Arcam.
Movie sound is a bit of a mixed bag, with the Arcam having more prescence in the midband, but the Sony/Toshiba having more overall detail, and a much larger sense of scale in the sound, along with a much greater sense of weight in the bass.
The Arcam has a very 'polite' sound for movies IMHO, which some may well prefer, depending upon whether you like your movie reproduced as if in a small room, or a large theatre as presented by the Sony's and Toshibas etc.
However, for CD/music, I would prefer the Arcam, as it has better Prat, and a smoother, warmer presentation. Of course, YMMV, hence it's always important to listen for oneself to find what suits YOU.
I'm currently very impressed with some of the 'mainstream' Japanese products, both in terms of value for money, and performance.
Stepping aside from any real, or imagined biases as to where equipment is made, or social perceptions of class/quality, etc they generally appear to hold their own very well in the market place.
As usual, sometimes products simply excel, regardless of manufacturing origin, or should I say origins plural, as so many products these days are best described as assembled somewhere, as the parts are all part of global manufacture, only the final 'recipe' providing a lot of difference from one to the other.
As an example, although one should never go by magazine reviews other than as a short list re evaluation purposes - always audition and trust your own ears - a respected American journal placed the Sony TAE processor second only to it's reference, AND ahead of the likes of Tag, Meridian, and Lexicon etc.
Not all that glitters is gold, and not all exotica wipe the floor of the more 'mass produced' mainstream, and sometimes so called pieces of exotica are shoddily made, trading on their sound, perceptions of mystique, and at times myth.
Good luck
John...
Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary
If it is to be a dual purpose machine/usuage, ie DVD/movie, and CD/music use, then I would recommend the Arcam DVD 88, or the 88+ (although I haven't auditioned this latest update to the 88) as it is probably the best compromise solution going re an excellent picture, movie and CD sound out of one 'box'.
However, should you already have a top level CD player, Naim etc, and simply want the DVD for movie use, then in picture terms, the Sony and Toshiba will comfortably outperform the Arcam.
Movie sound is a bit of a mixed bag, with the Arcam having more prescence in the midband, but the Sony/Toshiba having more overall detail, and a much larger sense of scale in the sound, along with a much greater sense of weight in the bass.
The Arcam has a very 'polite' sound for movies IMHO, which some may well prefer, depending upon whether you like your movie reproduced as if in a small room, or a large theatre as presented by the Sony's and Toshibas etc.
However, for CD/music, I would prefer the Arcam, as it has better Prat, and a smoother, warmer presentation. Of course, YMMV, hence it's always important to listen for oneself to find what suits YOU.
I'm currently very impressed with some of the 'mainstream' Japanese products, both in terms of value for money, and performance.
Stepping aside from any real, or imagined biases as to where equipment is made, or social perceptions of class/quality, etc they generally appear to hold their own very well in the market place.
As usual, sometimes products simply excel, regardless of manufacturing origin, or should I say origins plural, as so many products these days are best described as assembled somewhere, as the parts are all part of global manufacture, only the final 'recipe' providing a lot of difference from one to the other.
As an example, although one should never go by magazine reviews other than as a short list re evaluation purposes - always audition and trust your own ears - a respected American journal placed the Sony TAE processor second only to it's reference, AND ahead of the likes of Tag, Meridian, and Lexicon etc.
Not all that glitters is gold, and not all exotica wipe the floor of the more 'mass produced' mainstream, and sometimes so called pieces of exotica are shoddily made, trading on their sound, perceptions of mystique, and at times myth.
Good luck
John...
Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary