Universal DVD player for HT, SACD and DVD-A


Wondering what players are musical enough to do well by SACD and DVD-A discs, but also provide great picture quality. I have a separate 2-channel system for redbook CDs so the player doesn't have to excel at that! I have no DVD-A or SACD discs, but would like to discover this media, so need to replace my cheapo Sony player.

The HDTV I have right now (a Toshiba 46H83 rear projection unit) does not have a HDMI connection, just one DVI and some component video connections. In order to somewhat future proof the DVD player (I know, there is no such thing) I would like it to have both a DVI and HDMI connection. I also need an optical connection for audio to my receiver.

Any such beast out there? My budget is about $500, but I could swing a bit more if the player is considered worth it.

Holly
oakiris
Holly, I have a 2910 in my HT setup right now. I purchased it primarily for its HDMI output. It does upconversion to 720p which is the native resolution on my JVC LCoS TV. I did not want to spend much on a player at this time. I prefer to save the funds and place them either, into my two channel or wait until HD-DVD or Blueray becomes available.

The 2910's picture quality is very good in both progressive 480p and the 720P outputs. I think it has 5 options for video output. Both 480i and 480p via the Component outputs and 480p, 720p, and 1080i via the HDMI outputs. Its very nice to have a selection and again, the picture quality is very good considering this players very modest price. It easily bests my previous Sony NS900v.

SACD sound is quite good. Again better than the previous Sony. A well recorded SACD sounds substantially better than its redbook counterpart. Leading me to conclude that the Redbook playback portion of this DVD player isnt all that. In fact, I much prefer using the DACs in my Processor for Redbook playback. Its Redbook is comparable to the Sony but far less palpable than a Jolida JD100 and it gets really beat up by a RA CD55. As it should at it price point.

I do not have any DVD-A's to date so I cannot comment much on this format. In fact in my area there arent many, if any, DVD-A's available, and so far, I have placed all my proverbial "eggs" in the SACD hand basket.
Impatience is a virtue, isn't it?? I purchased a Denon 3910 from an Audiogon member yesterday. He included some really good SACD discs in the deal and I am very pleased with my purchase, even though I haven't received it as yet. The good things I read here and elsewhere about the Denon products persuaded me, and since I couldn't afford (or justify) the 5910, I decided on the DVD-3910. This will be my first foray into the world of SACD so I am pretty excited about it.

Even if SACD is a dying format, according to some, I figure I can pick up a pretty good collection of discs before they are unavailable. This collection won't replace or supersede my red book CD or vinyl collections, of course, but I think it will be a great complementary addition.

Thank you all for your responses and assistance.

Holly
How does the Denon DVD-3910 compare sonically and picture wise to the Onkyo DV-SP1000?