Pioneer DV 37 Question

I have a Pioneer DV-05 (the previous model) and it makes a pretty good CD player. I've never compared it to the above two. I think it would hold it's own, but I'm sure they all sound a little different. If you're looking for CD only you might want to think about some other players too (like a used Rega Planet), but if DVD is important, Pioneer makes great DVD players and they pass a 24/96 signal. If you desire, you can always upgrade and ad an outboard DAC later. There are plenty of places that offer 30-day trials and return policies...you can order all three and compare them yourself.

I have a 38a and stock the CD sound was nothing to write home about. Quite honestly, the sound wasn't that much better than the Pioneer 525, it was replacing and if that was the end of my plans, I would have been rather unhappy. But I had purchased it to have ModWright (www.ModWright.com) do a complete mod of the unit (full transport and standalone mods, three Bybees and an Audiocom clock upgrade and the sound is now incredible. It's like a whole new player. Unfortunately, I haven't compared it to either of the brands you mention. I don't think you'll find too many players which will best it though.

Trip:

I also happen to own a Pioneer Elite DV-37 right now. And while I have bought it originally to use it as a DVD Player, I found out later on that the DV-37 has a very good audio section too. It definitely makes my JVC XL-509TN CD Changer sound like shit. It trounces the JVC so bad, I don't hardly even power up the JVC now. I only use it when I am either having company or throwing a party. But now, how does it sound compared to a dedicated CD Player remains to be seen. I am quite sure if I go out and buy something like an Arcam CD72 or a Music Hall and hook it up, I'm sure they're going to kick the DV-37's butt. But for right now, since I am debating whether or not I am going to get either a Pioneer DV-47A (which is another DVD Player, but instead of the 10/54 video processing that the DV-37 has, it has 12/108 video processing, and it has DVD-Audio and SACD playback) or a Marantz 8260 SACD Player (I want a SACD Player...... and the Marantz seems to strike a chord with me right now........ and at just $1,050.00, the price isn't all that bad either). But as long as you aren't expecting "state-of-the-art" CD playback from the DV-37, you should fine. But again, I don't expect ANY DVD Player to be a sonic equivalent of a dedicated CD Player, and sorry to say, that also applies to the Pioneer Elite DV-37.

--Charles--