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DVD-A and SACD player combo

I know very little about these two formats but I do know that I want to stay with a 2 channel audio system. I have a decent progressive scan DVD player that I use to watch movies and it connects to the TV's S-video input and the TV's speakers. I suspect it will stay connected to the TV as I don't watch many movies and don't really want a HT set up. I know Pioneer already introduced a player that plays all formats but it also plays DVD Video disks. Has any one heard about a player that is still focused on audio output only that will play redbook CD's, DVD-A and SACD's. I would want to use it in my 2 channel system and would have no need for video playback.
msnloeth
aroc
760 posts
 
I doubt you will find a 2-channel "audio only" DVD-A and SACD player in the near future. The push for this type of "universal player" seems to be one that will play ALL discs, including DVD-A, DVD-V, CD, SACD, etc (maybe mp3, VCD, HDCD, etc). So you will most likey have no choice to buy a DVD-A player, that ALSO playes DVD-V.

Although, a 2channel-only DVD-A/SACD player without video or DVD-V would have its merits in the hi-end crowd. Maybe Accuphase will make one?

As a final note, some players with have some sort of "video-defeat" mode, to take the extra circuits out of the signal path for audio-only playback. Maybe you'll have to settle on that?
soix
2,133 posts
 
I agree with Aroc. One word of caution that I didn't see mentioned above--the Pioneer universal player converts SACD to PCM, which probably seriously compromises the quality of the SACD playback. The point is that this is still new technology and there will be lots of little-known bugs like this that are definitely not optimal for an audiophile-type person. Personally I'm waiting until things stabilize or at least until there's a digital connection so I can upgrade with a high-quality DAC in the future if need be. Best of luck.

Tim
keis
176 posts
 
Read this month's Stereophile. The front cover and a review of just such an animal. And they give it a good review.
flex
292 posts
 
In response to Tim's comment, my understanding is that the old Pioneer 2-ch universal player converted DSD to PCM, but that they got much flak for it and redesigned the new one to mimic the data handling of the Sony SACD units. This point should be clarified with Pioneer again.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
The new pioneer 47 sells for $1200 and does not convert DSD to PCM like th AX 10 did.
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