Experiences with Blu-ray players


I'm starting to build a home theater and am investigating BD players. I could use some stories of experiences others have had.

I'd like to keep good 2-channel capability, but I do have a few multi-channel SACDs so I'd like to be able to play them as well. My 2-channel gear consists of Theta source, Cary preamp, Threshold amplification and Avalon speakers. Given that, I'm thinking that a BD player with analog audio outs and a multi-channel preamp might be best for my particular priorities. My wife would kill me if I brought home the Ayre, so I'm in the sub-$2k realm. The reading I've been doing brings the following manufacturers to mind as having products I could afford and might like:

Oppo: Seems to be the default player for the past couple of years. I like the 7.1 analog audio output and the universality of the transport. The high, generally positive traffic on the various forums seems a good sign, too. I am concerned about it's 2-channel audio performance, though.

Cambridge: Ditto with the 7.1 analog output. A bit more talk about the sound, but less about the video.

Marantz: The 7007 has only two-channel analog out, but 7006 has 7.1 analog audio out.

Arcam: Reliability problems? I haven't experienced any with my Arcam DVD, but I don't own any other Arcam gear, so my experience is limited.
128x128macdonj

Showing 4 responses by kr4

There is no SACD output via digital coax from any consumer product. Coax conveys the RedBook layer only, afaik.
01-04-13: Gammajo
Yes, but it reads and plays them, which works for me having as the poster does only a few of them anyway.
Duh. Any CD or DVD or BD player will do that but all you are hearing is the CD layer. No SACD.
Gammajo-

I scanned the manual and cannot see any reference to (1) downmixing SACD or to (2) DSD/SACD output from the coax jack.