Oppo DV980h$169 brand new. If you want to splurge get the DV-981HD. It's $229. |
Rapogee,
I have both a Sony DVP-9000ES and a DVP-N9100ES. The 9100ES has HDMI and can convert DVDs to 1080i; the 9000ES has no such capability.
Both are very good for CD/SACD playback as well, but I prefer digital CD with DAC processing by my Proceed PDSD to analog CD from either Sony. That is, I use either Sony only as a transport for CDs.
db |
Denon 2200, 2900 or similar models. Amazing sound & picture, will play almost anything. |
Ditto...Denons!!! If you don't need HDMI, very tough to beat and very affordable on the used market. |
I know that you are not interested in Blu-ray or HD-DVD but a few months ago I purchased a Toshiba XA-2. What amazes me most about this machine is the way it plays standard DVD's. The upconverting chip it uses makes the DVD's almost seem like HD.Like you I listen mostly to concerts, classical and rock and operas. It is one of the most satisfying pieces of gear that I have bought and that means many. Don |
OPPO DV981HD: $229 new with outstanding picture. Plays standard DVDs (not HD-DVDs despite the "HD" in the model designation)and a universal player to boot. They have a money back guarantee. I never sent mine back. Amazon carries them with free shipping. |
If you can find one, the Pioneer DV-79Avi is excellent with audio and video. Plays anything you throw at it except for the new hi-res video formats and it is built like a tank. CGray market models can be had for around $500 new -- you may run into a used one for $400-$500 on eBay if you're patient.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue30/pioneer_dv79avi.htm |
Oppo DV981HD, yessss!!!!! Unbeatable for money. |
Oppo 981 is quite the machine but using HDMI into my Sony SXRD tv there is macroblocking or pixelization (maybe not right words as I'm not a videophile) but the super clean picture comes with its issues. Maybe its my Sony?
But hey back to the point, its a great player and you'd have to spend a lot more money to better it... |
Something to consider, if you don't have an outboard video processor and upconverter, you definitly want a dvd machine that will upconvert to a higher res than 480i. Oppo has been getting great press. |
I used to have a Sony 999es that I liked alot. |
I used both Sony and Denon. Sony has bright pictures, somewhat over saturated, and depending on your preference you will love or hate it. Personally I like the vivid colors of Sony. Denon in comparison looks soft, even with upscaled to 1080i via HDMI/DVI. Denon provides a lot more options in the menu, so you can tweak them any way you like. I exclusively use HD/DVD player now even for playing standard DVDs.
If you don't want HDMI/DVI digital connection, make sure you check the spec on the video DAC, as the quality of video DAC significantly impacts the output from analog component output. If you are using digital connection video DAC quality is moot. |
I have a Sony NS999ES with modification from ModWright. Can't be happier. I compared side by side with the Sony NS9000ES and the modified Sony beat the old beauty sonically hand-down. The older (NS9000ES) has an excellent build with remote and power cord. However, the NS999ES is much better with the picture quality, media format tolerance, and the exceptional sound from the mod. |
So are some of you telling me that the DV-981HD for $229 is a better buy than the DVP9000ES or Toshiba 9200 hands down for music and movies for a 2 channel system, its hard to believe but I presume this means, sound/picture/ built quality and reliability? |
My Sony DVP 9000 ES is a wonderful DVD player and OK/good on CD SACD also. I do not think the newer cheaper players will match the Sony video or audio but of course are very good values none-the-less. That being said, I was going to replace my Sony with a Toshiba HD DVD as people say the video on DVD is on par with the older Sony. (HD DVD player audio on redbook CD reported as being poor). Maybe now is the time to put Sony up for sale cheap for all you old format diehards. |
You have lots of good answers here and the Oppo's sure have a good reputation. I'll just add that I'm considering the Toshiba HD-A2, A3, and A30, all can be had for at or less than $300 (new). They also have a good rep for upconverting standard DVD's and if a movie or concert comes along in HD-DVD, oh well, you can play that too. |
Panasonic XP30, XP50, Denon 1600, 220, or 2900 would be the best used bets. |
