Showing posts with label sacd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sacd. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black)
Average Reviews:

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I purchased this unit a week after it went on sale. I had been investigating the device for some time prior to the actual release. I used this to replace a Yamahe DSP-A1 purchased about 10 years ago. I wanted to simplify my cabling by switching to an HDMI capable receiver. The availability of 4 HDMI inputs was a big selling point for me.
After initial setup I put the unit through it's paces with SACD recordings of Elton John's Madman Across the Water and the Alman Brothers Eat a Peach. The SACD 5.1 sound from my PS/3 over the HMDI was exceptional, wonderful depth to the soundfield. The video upscaling in this unit is far superior to that included in my 50" LG Flat Panel and has made watching non-HD signals much more palatable. Using blu-ray DTS HD and DD Pure HD both sound amazing. I also purchased a Rhapsody subscription account to use with the unit and love the virtual library of hundreds of thousands of CDs at my fingertips through the remote. I have found several albums on Rhapsody that result in a "unable to play" error, I am not sure if they are encoded in a format other than MP3 or if this error also occurs when using Rhapsody on a PC, these were usually extremely obscure recordings.
The onscreen Ipod controls are great and the album cover display is a great addition, now if they could only get the album, flip view from the iPhone or iPod touch working for scanning through and selecting albums/songs that would be truly fabulous.
The lack of inclusion of wireless networking is a big mistake in my view, how many people would have their ISP drop right next to their stereo system? I overcame this easily with the purchase of a "Wireless Gaming Adapter" which attaches to the Ethernet port on the receiver and connects it to my wireless network, this solution has worked well and runs about 50-100 dollars.
My biggest concern with the unit has been the adaptive sound leveling. This is a great feature to make sure you don't get blasted out of the room when commercials come on at twice the volume of your show. Usually this feature mutes the sound and makes the adjustment very quickly but every now and then it has difficulty setting the volume accordingly and drops the audio for as much as 10-20 seconds, very annoying when using DVR functions to skip commercials then having to go back 2-3 times to get the audio enabled again at the end of the commercials. Once the unit could not seem to set the audio at all and it required selecting a different source before sound was enabled again.
Overall I am quite happy with the unit and hope that a software/firmware upgrade may alleviate the audio level drop issues at some point in the future, while sometimes annoying this issue comes nowhere close to outweighing the great benefits of this receiver.
Pros:
Exceptional sound quality
Great video upscaling
Extensive features listing
Amazing array of device connections
Cons:
Not in everyones pricing range
Initial configuration not for the inexperienced
No built-in wireless networking (could have been a design decision to reduce potential degration of the audio signal)
Infrequent extended audio drop outs when relevelling the audio between programing and commercials or when changing stations
Some CDs visible through Rhapdosy cannot be played

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V3900BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black)

Yamaha's next generation 7.1-channel Network AV receiver offers unsurpassed versatility, access to today's most popular music sources including Internet Radio, Rhapsody online music service, music streaming from PC, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready, USB, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, as well as extensive multi-zone custom installation and convenience features, plus a Web Browser Control.

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Monday, August 27, 2012

Sony DAV-IS10 5.1-Channel Micro Satellite Home Theater System with TDM-IP1 iPod Cradle Review

Sony DAV-IS10 5.1-Channel Micro Satellite Home Theater System with TDM-IP1 iPod Cradle
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UPDATE: 8/29/10
It's now broken. Just 3 years into owning this system. It display's the message: "Protector - Push Power". After looking in the manual and attempting the fixes indicated there (check speaker cables and vents, neither of which appeared to have a problem)and contacting tech support, who indicated to unplug the system for 30 mins. It is still not working. I am quite dissapointed, as this was not an inexpensive system. I am not inclined to pack this up, ship it and then pay to have it repaired and shipped back. I would rather put that $ into another and hopefully more reliable system.
On doing some research for the error message on the internet, I see others have had this problem and apparently did not receive any solution to the problem, other than sending it in for repairs.
At this point, I would recommend NOT BUYING this system, as it appears to have an inherent flaw.
**************************************************************
I just bought this system a couple of weeks ago and am very happy with it.
It's especially good for those with limited space and/or who want a limited visual impact from their sound system. Which were top considerations in my choice. It's a nice system, with only a couple exceptions (*See comments below...)
First, the control module, with DVD player is very compact (a little over 8" X 8" X4") and has a clear display (although, it would have been nice if the numbers and words displayed were a little bigger... minor issue). It has many adjustments that can be made for different sound "fields", ie: DTS, Dolby II, etc. and can also be connected to your i-Pod or Computer, with connector modules available through the Sony On-line store. There are settings for component or HDMI setups. There is one HDMI out to TV and also seperate connections for Component cables if you are not using HDMI. The multiple connection options worked well for me, as I was able to connect to my Satellite receiver and another DVD/VHS player.
The DVD player produces an excellent picture, which I have set for 1080i "upscaling". A nice feature is, that if you stop the DVD at some point, it remembers this and will start back at this point, when you either hit play again or even if you have removed that DVD and put it back in. I think the manual said it remembers the last 10 different DVD stopping points.
Now, getting to How it Sounds... I rate it 4 out of 5. It's got deep bass, full middle range and crisp highs. *The one thing that is critical with this system, is that the sub-woofer unit, which contains both the mid-range and bass speakers; MUST be placed as close to the tv as possible (and preferrably in back of), as it is reproducing a large part of the middle (voice) range. The sub-woofer can NOT be placed in front of the screen (or way off to the side), as you will then notice the voices coming from the sub-woofer unit and not the screen. If placed correctly, on either side of the screen and slightly behind or directly behind the screen; the system does a good job of creating the perception that all the voices are coming from the screen and not the sub-woofer/mid-range unit. Also, the mid-range speaker (for voice) is in the top of the sub-woofer unit and cannot be blocked, so it cannot be placed inside a cabinet and forget about using the top of the unit as a "plant stand"! ; )
One note of caution, DO NOT try and pick up the sub-woofer; by using the sub-woofers ports as "hand holds". Although, they would appear to work perfectly for this, the bass speaker sits just inside of these ports and you could easily damage it.
The 5 speakers are amazingly tiny and do a good job on the highs and "upper level" mid-range (the lower middle range, being handled by the middle/sub-woofer unit). The system comes with wall brackets for each of the 5 small speakers. I purchased the speaker stands (available seperately through the Sony On-Line store and are ridiculously high priced!), which are designed to work specifically for these speakers and are fortunately well made. Without the stands, the speakers can easily be placed on tables. They are very light though and can easily be knocked off, so a little "double sided" tape may be advised in this situation.
*The AM/FM receiver works well and although it sounds "ok" playing music CD's, this is not this units main "strength". You'll probably prefer another sound system, dedicated to playing music. The issue I noted, is that you have to make some adjustments to the bass, middle and treble and selected "sound fields", to bring out the best of your music CD and unfortunately, these settings are not "stored" in the system for just music; so you have to reset everything when switch to watching TV or a DVD. Almost more trouble than it's worth. I would not recommend this system for those who want to frequently switch between listening to music and watching TV/DVD's.
The remotes buttons are logically placed. They are varied in sizes with a couple raised "points" to help locate the correct ones in a darkened room. I would have appreciated, at this price range, an illumination feature; which it does not have.
If you have a newer Sony TV, it will also turn on the TV and sound system simultaneously. I have a Samsung hdtv, so I have to turn on each seperately, but interestingly enough, when I shut off the TV (using it's remote), this Sony system also shuts off at the same time.
It has a relatively clear and comprehensive manual, which is definitely required for all the adjustments and settings you'll need to make to get it calibrated and set up between the tv and different components. Although you can get through most settings, using the on-screen menus, without referring to the manual.
I am very pleased with this system. The construction of all components if of high quality materials and when set up correctly, it's impressive in the sound it creates from the tiny speakers working along with the bass/mid-range sub-woofer module. If you are looking for a top "audio-file" system, this probably isn't the system for you. If you have limited space and want a fairly unobtrusive looking system, with good quality sound, it's definitely worth considering.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DAV-IS10 5.1-Channel Micro Satellite Home Theater System with TDM-IP1 iPod Cradle

The Sony DAV-IS10 5.1 Channel Home Theater System is a micro all-in-one home theater system for customers who want big surround sound with elegant décor. The system comes with 5 incredibly small satellite speakers and a unique subwoofer with proprietary DSP processing for flexible room placement. The DAV-IS10 is equipped with a DIGITAL MEDIA PORT input that works with various DMP accessories (sold separately) which include a PC Client Ready device (TDM-NC1), Bluetooth® receiver (TDM-BT1), and Audio Docking Stations (TDM-NW1 and TDM-iP1) compatible with select Network Walkman¿ and iPod® products, and allows you to play back your stored music through the micro system. To complement its DMP compatibility, the DAV-IS10 can control select BRAVIA® televisions with BRAVIA® Theatre Sync¿ via the HDMI¿ interface. With One Touch Play, operations that took several steps have been reduced to one.

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Sunday, July 15, 2012

OPPO DV-983H 1080p Universal Up-Converting DVD Player with SACD and DVD-Audio Review

OPPO DV-983H 1080p Universal Up-Converting  DVD Player with SACD and DVD-Audio
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Pros: Excellent picture quality, quick operation response, and great audio.
Cons: Costs more than other DVD players, but well worth it if you have a good collection of DVD.
Summary: The ultimate DVD player for DVD collectors.
My trusted Panasonic RP-82 with SDI modification stopped working. In searching for the best DVD player to replace it for my theater room and a new one for the bedroom, I read many reviews and compared a lot of products. I even bought and returned several players, some several times more expensive than the OPPO DV-983H. In the end, I settled for not one, but two DV-983H and are very happy.
During my research, I read reviews on CNet, Stereophile, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, and several other places. The reviewers all have nothing but positive words for the OPPO DV-983H. Real user experience from discussions on avsforum.com also appears to be very positive. There is a shoot-out article on the online magazine Playback, in which the DV-983H scored the highest among Cambridge Audio, Marantz, Denon and Yamaha.
My surprise came when I called OPPO to order the players. They were out of stock. I was put on their waitlist for two weeks and then received an email to place my order. At that time the player was not available on amazon.com. By the way, the guys answering the phone at OPPO seem to know what they are doing. They answered my questions about matching with my other devices and explained what would be the best setup to me.
Once the players arrived, one went into the theater room. There it was matched to a Panasonic PT-AE2000U 1080p projector and a Yamaha RX-V3800BL A/V receiver. The audio and video connection was over a single HDMI cable. Everything worked beautifully. The image on my 103-inch screen was stunning. I could see details that I've not seen before. The surround sound was also amazingly clear and enveloping. As a DVD collector, I apprecaite it most that older movies discs from my collection worked really well in the OPPO player. The black and white films were shown with proper level of black, white and gray. With some other players I tried, I could see a green or purple outline around the B/W figures and it was very annoying.
The other unit went to my bedroom setup with a new Sony Bravia Z-Series KDL-40Z4100/B 40-Inch 1080p TV. Again this was the perfect match. The picture is first class. My bedroom set also has a pair of NuForce S-1 speakers driven by their unique Icon amplifier. When I'm not watching a movie, CD played through this player and the NuForce set sounds like from a really high-end system. Next I need to buy some SACD discs to try. The DV-983H can play SACD and I've read good reviews about that.
Overall, I am extremely happy with the two OPPO players. Considering how much money I've spent on buying my collection of DVD discs, the cost of the players is totally justified. With these players in my setup, I can wait a year or so until the Blu-ray players are mature and stable enough and the cost of Blu-ray discs comes down before I start buying movies in Blu-ray.

Click Here to see more reviews about: OPPO DV-983H 1080p Universal Up-Converting DVD Player with SACD and DVD-Audio

DV-983H is the new flagship model in OPPO's line of award-winning up-converting DVD players. Featuring Anchor Bay's leading video processing technologies, 7.1-channel audio, and 1080p HDMI up-conversion, the DV-983H Universal DVD Player delivers the breath-taking audio and video performance needed to make standard DVDs look their best on today's large screen, high resolution displays.The DV-983H provides a rich array of features for serious home theater enthusiasts. By applying source-adaptive, motion-adaptive, and edge-adaptive techniques, the DV-983H produces an outstanding image for any DVD, whether it's mastered from an original theatrical release film or from a TV series. Aspect ratio conversion and multi-level zooming enable users to take full control of the viewing experience � maintain the original aspect ratio, stretch to full screen, or crop the unsightly black borders. Special stretch modes make it possible to utilize the full resolution of ultra high-end projectors with anamorphic lens. For users with an international taste, the frame rate conversion feature converts PAL movies for NTSC output without any loss of resolution or tearing. Custom home theater installers will find the DV-983H easy to integrate into whole-house control systems, thanks to its RS-232 and IR IN/OUT control ports.To complete the home theatre experience, the DV-983H produces stunning sound quality. Its 7.1 channel audio with Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding offers more depth, spacious ambience, and sound localization. Additionally, the player supports DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro-Logic II to accommodate any sound track found on a DVD. Music lovers will enjoy the precise rendering of CD, Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio. The DV-983H incorporates high resolution 192kHz, 24-bit audio D/A converters, isolated power supply circuitry, and quality passive components to deliver clear treble, deep bass, and a broad dynamic range.

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Philips DVD963SA DVD / SACD Player Review

Philips DVD963SA DVD / SACD Player
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When I recieved my Philips 963SA SACD player, I was not immediately aware of its potential. Although I did not buy it to use as DVD player, I had to read through a complicated instruction book to find that it needed to be set up with a television in order to switch off many of the video functions and arrive at its purest output. Once I had successfully configured it as an audio only product, I was immediately surprised at its detailed, realistic reproduction of CD's, using its upsampling option. This sound far outstrips anything I've heard in my home, and my last CD player was a California Audio Labs product. As an SACD player, it's superb. I own several SACD's that I had formerly purchased in their CD format. The difference is incredible. Detail, smooth string sound, impact - all of these qualilities are apparent from the first hearing. I haven't used it as a multichannel player, so I can't evaluate it it that configuration. But I am enthusiastic about it in stereo. And things get better as the player ages, like a fine wine. Is it as good as $1,000 + machine? I don't know, but it's certainly worth what I paid for it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Philips DVD963SA DVD / SACD Player

Progressive Scan DVD / Multi-channel SACD Audio / Built-in DSD, DTS & Dolby Digital / CD Upsampling to 192kHz - 24 bit

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Denon DVD 3910 - DVD player Review

Denon DVD 3910 - DVD player
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I use the Denon unit to up-convert older DVD's for play on a 60" SONY HDTV. It does a great job, better than the up-convert function of the SAMSUNG bluray player (which is also quite good). The picture quality is not as good as the true HD when playing a Bluray disc, but the differances are subtle and my investment in the older discs is preserved. I have been told that this unit is the "standard" and I can see why.

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DVD-3910 is endowed with technology to unleash the full impact of both DVD-Video picture quality and Super Audio quality. Using dual 12-bit, 216 MHz video D/A converters, the DVD-3910 faithfully preserves the delicate signals often lost in D/A conversion.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Yamaha DVD-S1800BL 1080p Upconverting DVD SACD Player Review

Yamaha DVD-S1800BL 1080p Upconverting DVD SACD Player
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I've owned this player a good couple months now and have been very pleased with its performance. Very user friendly GUI and the machine operates easily. Discs load quickly and the transport is dead quiet. The picture quality is excellent be it composite (good), component (better) or HDMI (best). What's even better is the sound quality of CD's and SACD's thanks to four, 2 channel Burr-Brown dacs. It has a nice array of features, such as Audio Direct Mode, SACD Bass Management, SACD On Screen Text, Display Dimmer and an above average set of picture controls. These allow the user to really fine tune the image for optimal picture quality. Furthermore, it does a fantastic job up-converting Standard Definition DVD's to High Definition 1080P. It's also compatible with DVD-A, mp3, wma, divx and jpeg discs as well. The remote, although it's not back lit and lacks an eject button is still very user friendly, ergonomical and makes functional navigation a snap. The users guide is well laid out and easy to understand. Other notable features include, Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS built in decoders, gold plated pin terminals, one optical output, one digital coaxial output, Noise Shaped Video (NSV) with Faroudja DCDi processing that helps eliminate jagged edges and blurring, Wide Screen Mode selections, Screen Saver, Program & Repeat Playback for CD's and Progressive Scan. You could probably spend hundreds more on a universal player and still be hard pressed to get the performance of the S1800. So, if you're not ready to make the leap into blu just yet and want a great sounding CD/SACD and DVD-A player with DVD up-conversion for improved Standard Definition DVD viewing, consider the Yamaha S1800!

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Yamaha Universal DVD Player offers the assurance of extremely high video and audio quality as well as large collection of features like 1080p-compatible HDMI output and DVD-Audio /Super Audio CD playback. It allows the DVD player to transfer digital video and audio signals directly to an HDMI equipped monitor or projector, instead of having to convert them to analog. This player plays discs recorded in the MP3, JPEG, DivX and WMA formats. This multi channel music formats provide a surround sound music experience that is much more natural and lifelike than normal stereo.

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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Sony DVP-NS90V HDMI/SACD 1080i Upscaling DVD Player Review

Sony DVP-NS90V HDMI/SACD 1080i Upscaling DVD Player
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There's no need to take anybody else's word for specs on this Sony DVD player when you can view or download, for free, the user's manual at http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=DVPNS90V&LOC=3. I've been running this Sony DVP-NS90V player through a Sony widescreen HDTV and a Pioneer amplifier/receiver for several days now, and I find almost none of the problems and limitations mentioned by previous reviewers. One, for example, states that there is "no bass management," yet you can (a) route more or less signal to the subwoofer by selecting "small" or "large" for the front speaker size (see page 76 of the user's manual), and also (b) increase or decrease the bass from -15 dB to +5 dB (see page 77 of the manual). Whether you prefer analog to digital audio, or you think SACD's are tops, is a matter of opinion, taste and choice and not an objective evaluation of a playback unit. I, for one, prefer DVD-Audio, and I mention this for an important reason: Some product ads and the user's manual clearly warn that this unit "will NOT play DVD-Audio discs." Happy surprize: it most certainly will! For my DVD-A's that have optional Dolby 5.1 and/or DTS tracks, the player simply ignores the primary DVD-A format (normally output via the 6 analog cable connectors) but still plays the Dolby or the DTS via the digital audio (optical or coaxial) connectors. For "pure" DVD-A's (without Dolby 5.1 or DTS tracks), it conveniently outputs the audio BOTH via the 6 analog AND the digital connectors. And in all cases above, the audio is full multi-channel surround, and not downmixed to 2-channel PCM, nor Prologic pseudo-surround. The only DVD-A function it lacks is the video slideshow often included on DVD-A's, and so displays only the "jacket image" onscreen. The Quick Setup allows any DVD newbie to be up and running in a short time. And the Custom Setup is so detailed with so many fine tweaks and trouble-shooters that it's bound to please even the high-end audio-video geek-freaks. In short, you'll find this to be a superior universal player, provided you read the user's manual (all 84 pages of it!), follow it, and connect equally high-quality, compatible equipment capable of exploiting its many fine features.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DVP-NS90V HDMI/SACD 1080i Upscaling DVD Player

Superior technology from a single disc DVD player. The DVP-NS90V single disc DVD player packsimpressive technologies that enhance your movie and music experience. Precision Drive System corrects a warped disc's response for fewer image errors by adjusting the lens rather than the entire optical block for more accurate source playback. Other features such as the Precision Cinema Progressive technology detect image changes at the pixel level instead of at the scan line level like most traditional DVD players do. By measuring algorithms, the DVP-NS90V adjusts for pixel behavior resulting in sharp backgrounds with moving objects that are virtually free from motion artifacts. The DVP-NS90V also offers MP3 Playback ,when using MP3 encoded discs, so you can select the perfect music folder to round out your day.
Precision Drive 3 System Past generations were only able to compensate for warped discs by moving the entire optical block, which took more time and limited the amount of correction possible. Sony's new Precision Drive 3 system simplifies the process by moving the lens-instead of the entire optical block-for faster and more accurate error correction.
Precision Cinema Progressive Technology Other DVD players detect image changes at the scan line level-Sony's Precision Cinema Progressive (PCP) system detects them at the pixel level. The picture is more faithful to the source-whether film or video-because separate, optimized algorithms are used to handle the differing pixel behavior. Separate algorithms are also used to process the moving and still parts of an image, resulting in sharp backgrounds with moving objects that are virtually free from motion artifacts.
MP3 Playback Playing MP3 Music on a Sony DVD player is easy. Just insert an MP3 encoded disc and press MENU. A blue screen pops up to display your folders. Scroll down the list using the remote or front panel cursor control to select the folder you want. The green files screen pops up to show the files in the selected folder. Select the file you want to hear and you're done. Finding music couldn't be easier.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player Review

OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player
Average Reviews:

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This machine played all regions right out of the box for six months until I put in a Chinese movie. Then a Hongkong Region 3 did not work but a Korean Region 3 did work. I had to find the hack from a review for the 971 model also sold by Amazon.
It took less than a minute and Oppo's record is back to perfect. Here is the relevant information from the other review:
There is also a multi region hack on videohelp which is:
Press Setup on remote control to access the setup page
* Enter 9210 on the remote
* A secret menu will pop up
* Select 0 to 6 in region code. 0 is multi region
* Press Setup on remote again to exit

Click Here to see more reviews about: OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player

OPPO Digital's DV-970HD was developed following the success of the OPDV971H, the award-winning upconverting DVD player which scored the highest against hundreds of brands and models in independent DVD player benchmark tests. With experience garnered from the OPDV971H and insightful input from the A/V enthusiast community, OPPO packs the DV-970HD with high performance and enthusiast grade features, all at an incredible value. Today's traditional DVDs and DVD players are intended for low resolution, standard definition televisions. The DV-970HD, designed for every HDTV owner, up-converts standard DVD to high-definition signal, producing clearer, smoother, and crisper video on HDTV and projectors. Its HDMI output ensures a pure, straight digital path for video and audio. In addition to its up-conversion feature, the DV-970HD can output a native 480i/576i resolution over HDMI, making it an incredible digital transport for use with high-end video processors or scalers. Featuring a stylish, slim, and modern design, the DV-970HD includes an integrated 4-in-1 flash memory card reader to allow viewers to enjoy their digital pictures and music. It also offers a USB interface for expanded connectivity. The DV-970HD is one of the most versatile players on the market, providing support for DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), DVD+/-RW and CD-R/RW. It is also compatible with DivX(R) video, XviD, Audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, WMA and other digital audio and video media formats. The DV-970HD supports NTSC or PAL disc and television systems. As video is only part of the equation, the DV-970HD also features excellent audio with Dolby Digital surround sound and Pro Logic II decoding. A high-quality certified HDMI cable with gold-plated connectors is included, adding even more value to the already feature-packed product. The OPPO DV-970HD provides most of the performance of the highest-rated OPDV971H, but at a lower price and includes even more features.

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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Onkyo DV-SP506 1080p Upscaling Super Audio CD/DVD Audio/Video Player - Silver Review

Onkyo DV-SP506 1080p Upscaling Super Audio CD/DVD Audio/Video Player - Silver
Average Reviews:

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I was on the fence with this player, I narrowed my choices down to this Onkyo and a Pioneer Elite DV-58AV and ended up going with the Onkyo since it was lower cost and new (I could only find refurbished DV-58AV's at the time for $100 more). I'm happy to say I was not disappointed with this player. It passes DSD bitstream over HDMI straight to my Onkyo Receiver (TX-SR706) and the sound is as good as my old Sony DVP-S9000ES for SACD's, passing DSD to a my receiver was key to this though as I found that using it's internal DAC's for SACD wasn't as good as Sony ES SACD player. DVD-Audio also sounds very good when using this unit's internal DAC's using the Analog 5.1 channel out, in this case it did sound better than having it pass over HDMI like the SACD's. I actually bought this to only play SACD's & DVD-Audio primarily, which it does very well (especially at this price) so I was pleasantly surprised when I played a DVD in it, the up-conversion is done very well, it even does a better job of up-converting than my BluRay player (Sony BDP-S500) with standard DVD's. If you're looking for a great up-converting DVD player you can't go wrong, If you want to use this as a SACD player I have to say I was impressed when sending the DSD steam to the receiver, as for DVD-Audio I really don't have another player to compare it to, it sound good, not as good as it does with SACD's but much better than the CD versions of the albums. To sum up, this is a great multi-format player for the price, I think the majority of listeners & movie goers would be impressed with the quality and performance.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo DV-SP506 1080p Upscaling Super Audio CD/DVD Audio/Video Player - Silver

As Onkyo�s first 1080p upscaling Super Audio CD and DVD Audio/Video player, the DV-SP506 is built on a platform of robust,performance-focused A/V processing and HDMI� capability. HDMI is the pipeline through which your DVDs are transformed all the wayto high-definition video quality.The DV-SP506 also delivers multichannel PCM audio and Direct Stream Digital (DSD) over HDMI.Toenhance audio quality and system integration, the player draws on two proprietary Onkyo technologies�VLSC and RIHD. Audioquality is further boosted by three high-end Burr-Brown audio DACs and an internal design that suppresses harmful vibrations.

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Friday, October 21, 2011

OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio Review

OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
Average Reviews:

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Just to add my vote, this is an excellent DVD player. I use it with an older Sony LCD tv (XBR1, only goes to 1080i), and compared the picture, using a standard widescreen DVD, with my older Panasonic progressive scan Panasonic dvd player (480p output). The picture with this one is clearly superior.
As others have said, the whole thing reeks quality and attention to detail. A good quality HDMI cable is included, as well as standard video/audio cables in case you need them for troubleshooting. The packaging is a class above the industry.
If you want something for watching standard DVDs with a good HDTV, consider this one or the 981HD model.

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The OPPO DV-980H up-converting DVD player is designed to make your DVD collection look & sound its very best on HDTV. With support for 1080p displays, 7.1ch audio, USB2.0 & HD-JPEG viewing the unit is engineered to impress. The unit will play DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, HDCD, CD, DivX, XviD and much more.

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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Marantz UD8004 Universal Disc Player (Black) Review

Marantz UD8004 Universal Disc Player (Black)
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I am not familiar with anything comparable to this dream machine: my two previous CD/DVD players were the Toshiba's HD-A2KU and the Onkyo's DV-CP701.
The Marantz UD8004 is one notch below their flagship, the UD9004, at more than twice the price. Is the sound/picture quality of the 9004 worth an additional $3,0000? I will probably never know.
I walked into a high-end stereo store, and this is the machine they had hooked up. Even though they carried other brands (some more expensive than the UD 8004), this is the one the tech swore by.
The UD 8004 is a hefty, serious and stylish machine. This a Universal Disk Player, which means you have it all in one machine. It plays everything, expect HD DVDs (apparently this is a dead technology, so don't worry about it).
If you are reading this review, you must be serious about the quality of sound & video. Press the "pure" direct button on the remote control, or on the deck, to turn off the video signal and enjoy the audio signal only. The image resolution, color saturation and sharp, detailed definition in Blu-ray are simply amazing (test it with the Planet Earth series). You will be amazed at how this machine "improves" the quality of the picture and sound of your "regular" DVDs. There are a myriad of choices and options to fine-tune your machine in an easy to follow menu in your TV. I have mine set to "normal", so that it adjusts automatically to the kind of movie format we are watching.
There are 3 minor annoying points: 1)the disk tray slams shut, 2)it takes longer to load music cd or a dvd than in my other players, and 3)it makes a scrapping sound when loading music. NOTE: Under the guarantee, I took my unit to a Marantz authorized repair shop. After 10 days of tests, they could not find anything wrong with the unit. The scrapping sound has just about disappeared. It never interfered with the quality of the audio or video. My wife says I am too picky, and maybe she's right.
If these inconveniences do not bother you, then I strongly recommend you get this machine.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Marantz UD8004 Universal Disc Player (Black)

UD8004 is a universal player. Plays SA-CD(Stereo/Multi), BD-Video/-ROM/-RE/BD-R, DVD-Audio/-Video/-R/-R DL/-RW/+R/+R DL/+RW, CD-R/RW and MP3/WMA/DivX(ver.6)/AVCHD/JPEG/Kodak Picture CD discs, BD-Profile2.0(BD-Live), BD-Java, BONUS VIEW support, Double Layered Top Cover & Bottom Plate EI Transformer for Audio Circuits, Total 3 boards, Marantz HDAM-SA2 current feedback analog audio circuits w/ Custom audio parts, Machine milled Stereo analog audio outputs (RCA) and 7.1ch outputs, 192 kHz/24-bit audio D/A converters for all channels, Analog Devices SHARC 32bit DSP for HD audio DecodingDolby True HD, dts-HD MA decoder, Anchor Bay VRS I/P Converter and Scaler, Support 24fps, 36-bit Deep Color, 297MHz/12-bit Analog devices video DAC, Vertical Stretch function for 2.35:1 aspect movie, 1080p, 1080i, 720p 480p scaled output, SD Card slot for playback MP-3/WMA/JPEG etc., Firmware update capability via Internet, Display Dimmer, Source Direct, Pure Direct Mode, Audio Delay, Component, S-Video and Composite Analog Video outputs, Digital audio outputs (Optical/Coaxial), RS-232C for System control, Marantz D-Bus(RC-5) In/Out Control Terminals, Flasher In/Out, Discrete power on/off commands, Detachable Power Cord, Luminus Key Remote, Region Codes: BD-Video: A, DVD: 1

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Denon DVD-3800BDCI Blu-ray Disc DVD/CD Player Review

Denon DVD-3800BDCI Blu-ray Disc DVD/CD Player
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PROS: Superb CD over analog, excellent bass management, beautiful BD/DVD picture with Realta, decoding of ALL codecs, solid construction
CONS: Sluggish in response, expensive, not BD-Live 2.0 although some would call this a plus!
I've owned this player for nearly a year now and have watched a lot of the bugs get fixed through firmware. UPDATE: Decoding of DTS-HD HR (as of 1.115 firmware 11/24/08) is now included. Owners in forums were slow to pick up on this due to HR being the "forgotten codec." It decodes ALL now!!! The 3800 also does bitstream all codecs if you are so inclined. This player is really targeted to the analog crowd as it's got AL24 processing and great Burr Brown DAC's. If you own an HDMI capable receiver, then the purchase is more questionable as you are paying for an analog section you may never use. The Realta keeps the video reference quality so no need to keep the DVD player.
Summary:
Targeted to owners of non-HDMI receivers who want extensive bass management and listen to CD's and play both DVD's and BD's in one player. I suggest you purchase an extended warranty or get the Marantz BD8002 since it has 3 yr warranty and is a clone.
Similar players:
Sony BDP-S5000ES - a fine player but lacks the bass management that the 3800 has for the analog output (ie. fixed crossover).
Pioneer Elite BD-09FD - another fine player but will not have DTS-HD MA decoding until future firmware. It is also rumored to have variable crossover through future firmware but the manual currently implies fixed crossover. I personally would never buy a product based on "future functionality."
Marantz BD8002 - a clone of the Denon 3800 with a different power supply, faceplate, and Marantz's own upsampling instead of Denon's AL24. Otherwise almost everything is the same as the Denon.

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Experience high definition the way only Denon can deliver it. This advanced Blu-ray/DVD/CD player features the Realta sxT2 HQV processor and HDMI v1.3a for exceptional video quality and Deep Color support, and the Denon D.D.S.C.-HD circuitry for the highest level of audio decoding so you get master-quality sound with exceptional dynamic range.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Marantz UD5005 BD/DVD/SA-CD Universal Player, Black Review

Marantz UD5005 BD/DVD/SA-CD Universal Player, Black
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Was hoping this was as good as the Oppo but seems slow to load Blu ray discs (~2 minutes) and freezes up when viewing BD live content so I have to get up an manually turn it off to get past that. Maybe Marantz will fix with a firmware update.
The only wireless provider they player has is NetFlix. I got a much cheaper Panasonic Blu ray player Panasonic DMP-BDT100 Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc Player that has VUDU and several other providers and can play anything on youTube.
Also need to buy this (or something similar) to make it wireless: Monster PowerNet 300 and 200 Premium Pack

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Blu-ray, Super Audio CD, DVD-Audio&Video, CD capable Universal player, DLNA 1.5 Newtwork Player function, NetFlix, YouTube, HDMI Ver 1.4 3D Ready (enable by future firmware upgrade), Anchor Bay video processor ABT1030, BD-Profile2.0(BD-Live), DivX HD, AVCHD file compatible, Luminous buttons remote, Detachable Power code

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Marantz UD9004 Flagship Universal Player (Black) Review

Marantz UD9004 Flagship Universal Player (Black)
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This player was purchased from Amazon and A/B compared with an Oppo BDP83 Nuforce Edition. My comparisons apply only to 2 channel analog output operation. The 9004 is a beautiful piece and weighs nearly 50 lbs. The sound quality in most modes is excellent. In SACD operation I felt that the Oppo was a significant improvement. The music just sounded more alive with the Oppo. Keyboard and organ tracks that were clean and audible with the Oppo just seemed to disappear into the rest of the music with the Marantz. That specific disc is Jimmy D. Lane, It's Time. Two other people participated in the level matched test and all of us preferred the Oppo. With DVD-A and CD the difference was marginal. The 9004 is very good in those other formats. The system consists of B&W 802 Tower speakers powered by Aragon monoblocks and Soundstage Pre/pro. No crossover or delay was applied since the mains are full size and only stereo operation was used. I'd likely have been satisfied with the Marantz had the Oppo not been available for A/B comparison. Both units were burned in for 2 weeks playing continuously into load before any conclusions were reached.
Two other issues were slow loading and only 1 pair of L & R outputs. The problem with only one pair is that you cannot connect the unit for 2 channel stereo and 5.1 at the same time. That means cable swapping every time you switch between stereo and 5.1. My Sony SACD changer, Pioneer Elite DV-38A DVD-A player and the Oppo all have duplicate fronts to accommodate both modes without having to swap cables. Also, there were some Bluray titles that wouldn't load. I suspect a firmware update might correct that problem, but not the slow loading.
In the end, I returned this unit to Amazon since it's performance simply didn't measure up to its cost. If the roles were reversed and the $1300 Oppo sounded like the Marantz and vice versa, I wouldn't think twice about spending the extra thousands on the Marantz. I like the looks of the Marantz better, but the bottom line is always sound in this house.

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Super Audio CD, Blu-ray, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD Universal Disc Player, Compatible with Super Audio CD(Stereo/Multi-Channel), CD, BD, DVD, DVD-A, plus more, Upgraded Marantz M1 Chassis w/Copper Plated “Tri-box" Construction, Stiff Top Cover, Solid Copper Feet – Increases Chassis Rigidity & helps reduce mechanical noise, Marantz Reference series based internal design – Signal Path, Layout, Shielding, etc., Audio circuit derived from the Marantz Flagship Supur Audio CD/CD Player SA-7S1, Copper Shielded Toroidal Power Transformer, Balanced Outputs for Left and Right Channels, Marantz Proprietary HDAMs, New in-house designed Precision Laser Assembly, Dual HDMI Outputs with Native Direct Outputs – 1 for Audio & 1 for Video, Silicon Optix Video Processor (297MHz/14Bit), High Quality Onboard Decoding of Dolby TrueHD & dts HD Master Audio, 7.1 Channel Analog outputs, Vertical Stretch Circuitry Built-in, RS-232C for Custom Installation, Flasher Inputs, Discrete Commands, Center Mount Design, Profile 2.0 for BD Live and Upgrades/Updates, Perfect for matching to a REF system for the best Multi-CH experience, Combine with any High Quality projector

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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Denon DVDA1UDCI Blu-ray/DVD/CD Player (Black) Review

Denon DVDA1UDCI Blu-ray/DVD/CD Player (Black)
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I had very high hopes for this machine when I purchased it from a local Denon dealer with cash I had been given as a gift. I have some SACD's and DVD audio discs, a huge collection of DVD's and CD's, and was ready to begin a collection of Blu-ray discs. I am running the player connected to a Denon AVR 4310CI receiver with which I am greatly pleased. When the player works, the sound and picture are outstanding.
I have been tremendously disappointed from the onset.
The machine has been thoroughly updated in its firmware and is still picky about playing and not playing certain Blu-rays as well as even CD's. It was suggested that maybe this was because its firmware was not properly updated.
To update the player, one is supposed to be able to easily access online through its ethernet connection the Denon site that downloads these things. However, the player will not stay connected to the internet long enough to complete the downloads. I have Cat 7 cables, and the fastest "business" speed internet connection that Comcast provides. It has been tested and has been shown to be reliable and steady. To assist me in this, the local dealer from which I purchased the player actually made a couple of discs to use to load the firmware updates into the machine. Their tech came to my home and accomplished this procedure. The player indicates that it is up to date now, indicating "latest" when firmware update is checked. It still will not connect and play "Blu-ray Live" options that are available on many discs. It still will not consistently play the Ironman Blu-ray disc. At least one audio CD I own will not play in the machine. I have checked these discs by taking them to try on various other players and even back to the dealer's shop to try on their players. All but one music Blu-ray disc (defective) have played flawlessly elsewhere.
As has been noted in another review, the player is very slow starting up even if it is set in "quick start" mode.
The owner's manual is hopelessly useless in assisting in use of the player. The GUI is "pretty," but very difficult to understand- even for the tech from the local dealer!
Finally, since hooking the new receiver and this Blu-ray player into my system, I have encountered a repeated problem with my Dell plasma TV (5 years old) flashing pink or having a constant pink background on it when starting up or changing from cable to Blu-ray, or from cable to the Rhapsody music source online through the receiver's ethernet connection. No one has been able to tell me how to fix that problem! I can't say that the Blu-ray player has caused this, but it never happened before I installed the new player into my system. Denon has been no help and the local dealer has no idea how to fix this TV problem. Dell's customer service suggested that I buy a new TV to fix it!
Over all, the decision to purchase this Blu-ray player has been a very expensive mistake. I would recommend that anyone considering it try a cheaper Samsung with the ability to connect wirelessly to the internet to access Netflix, Pandora, and other online services.

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For the ultimate disc playback accuracy, Denon’s DVD-A1UDCI sets the standard in state-of-the-art audio and video reproduction. Denon’s exclusive design allows playback of popular high resolution audio formats such as SACD and DVD-Audio, and is BD-Live Ready (Firmware update available approx. July/09). Your CD collection will never sound better, thanks to Denon’s new AL32 advanced digital audio processing, which upconverts conventional 16-bit CDs to full 32-bit digital format, virtually eliminating low-level harmonic distortion in the process. For pristine video quality, the Silicon Optix Realta HQV processor provides superb DVD deinterlacing and upconversion to HD, along with sophisticated picture improvement algorithms. Featuring balanced stereo analog outputs, the DVD-A1UDCI is equipped with true 32-bit dual differential D/A converters for each channel, along with a full set of conventional analog 7.1 outputs. The dual parallel HDMI outputs can also be assigned with HDMI Pure Direct Mode, with one HDMI output for audio and the other HDMI output for video with higher digital clocking accuracy and improved jitter control. For installation and configuration flexibility, the DVD-A1UDCI features RS-232C serial control, and BD-Live functionality via Ethernet connection.

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

OPPO BDP-83SE - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - black Review

OPPO BDP-83SE - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - black
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Update February 16, 2011 - A new and important Firmware Upgrade has been released as of February 1, 2011 in a Beta version. This version, Main Version: BDP83-54-0130B, Loader Version: BE2731 or BT0431, Sub Version: MCU83-27-0326 is presently only available directly from OPPO by download; if you try and update the player directly it will not include this Beta version and will say you're up to date.
You must go to the OPPO website, download the upgrade and the instructions and use either the CD or USB option. I've tried it and it solved the problem I was having with the special versions on the Alien Anthology Blu-ray discs. This upgrade applies to both the BDP-83 and BDP-83SE.
Original review:
The preamp/processor I use is manufactured by Krell and does a fine job except it was not upgradable to HDMI. Having to face that fact required I work around its limitations with switches and alternative connections and utilize the analog connections for multichannel SACD, DVD-A, Dolby True HD, and DTS Master Audio.
When the BDP-83 came out last summer I ordered one and used the analog outputs to connect the audio signal to my Krell HTS; that worked satisfactorily although I had to route the signal through a Zektor MAS 7.1 audio switch as I already had a Pioneer DV-47A Universal player which was connected using the multi-audio output and the Krell had only one multi-channel audio input. I had no observable problem with the BDP-83 on any of the media that I played. I have an extensive collection of CD's, SACD's, and DVD-A's to which I enjoy listening and experienced no problems.
When I became aware of the BDP-83SE I was excited at the prospect of improving the quality of sound that I enjoyed from my system. The reviews I read were generally glowing so I ordered one for my system. The player arrived around the end of February and I immediately installed it in my main system and moved the BDP-83 to a secondary system.
By and large I was pleased with the quality of both music and video and was impressed by what it did for the stereo CD soundstage. My Krell permitted me to instantly switch between analog multi-channel and stereo as well as digital coaxial. I found the musicality of the CD's to actually be superior on the stereo connection because of the quality of sound and the superb soundstage created on the stereo analog connection. This was exactly what I had hoped for and was delighted with the results.
Then a problem developed; the music would suddenly drop out at unexpected times on various CD's, the sound would suddenly be completely gone. I started experimenting and discovered that when the sound dropped out (complete silence) the signal would have dropped out on stereo and multichannel analog as well as on the coaxial digital output; interesting to note that I never had this problem on SACD, DVD-A or any of the Blu-ray audio formats, but only on CD's.
I contacted OPPO and was gratified by the interest and concern expressed by technical support. After trying everything they could think of it was decided that I had to ship it back to OPPO so they could try and diagnose the problem. The player is now in transit to OPPO and I look forward with great curiosity to what they may or may not find.
I have now moved my BDP-83 back to my main system and it continues to work flawlessly. When I commented on the reliability of the BDP-83 they responded that the BDP-83SE was a significantly different platform and no real comparison could be made.
I will update this review when I hear back from OPPO. I told them that I really hoped they could find and repair the defect that was causing the problem and was told by tech support that they would run diagnostics on the player and let me know what they found.
For the record the OPPO BDP-83SE was purchased from OPPO and is not the region-free version sold by Amazon.
Update 3-17-2010
I just got a phone call from OPPO technical support; they told me they had received the BDP-83SE and experienced the same problem with the sound dropping out. The unit I had gotten was defective; I asked them if they had experienced this problem with anyone else and they said this was the first time this problem had ever surfaced.
They told me they were shipping me a new BDP-83SE today, needless to say I am pleased and excited. I'll update this review after I've received the new player and given it a chance to settle down.
Update 3-23-2010
This morning I received the replacement BDP-83SE, a new player with a different serial number. I connected it to my system and put in the CD that had given the problem and the same dropout phenomena happened again. Needles to say I was very disappointed when that happened. I tried it several times and got the same dropout on stereo, multichannel, and digital audio outputs.
At that point I decided to call OPPO technical support and see what they might suggest. The man I talked with offered to refund my money, but as I explained to him I really wanted to try and make this work for my system. He then provided some new information which shed significant light on the situation for me; he told me that OPPO now recognized it had a software problem playing back some CD's but other formats were not affected. That was reassuring to me as it confirmed I was not having a unique problem with CD playback. He also said OPPO was looking for a software fix but could not promise success in finding one.
He told me the unit they had shipped to me had been checked out before it shipped and performed perfectly for them and that the problem might be related to a particular CD. The fact that the problem was limited to certain CD's encouraged me to tell him I would keep the player and try a variety of discs and see what happened.
My initial concern was that the problem might spread to other media but felt reassured when he told me it was unique to CD's. This afternoon I've played a variety of media including a number of CD's with no problem. I'll keep checking and update this review if I have new information.
I was reminded again why the BDP-83SE is worth the trouble as I heard music I had not heard before when discs were played on other players.
The excitement is back.
Update April 7, 2010
I have discovered at this point that only two Telarc discs seem to be causing the dropout problem and both are rather old recordings. Everything else I've tried to play has performed successfully and I have specifically tried as wide a variety of discs as possible. For more information on this you can check my reply in comments.
As a result of my research I have upgraded my rating to five stars.
Update June 24, 2010
Oppo sent out an update on May 5th which made a number of changes. For some reason I had not gone back to try the two Telarc problem discs mentioned above. This morning a comment came in from MacGuffin and I decided to try the two discs again to see if the update had made a difference.
I'm very pleased to report the update solved the problem completely; the two discs played as if there had never even been a problem. Congratulations to OPPO for their persistence.
Update 7-2-2010
This morning I was trying to play an SACD but no sound would come out of the speakers on either stereo or multi-channel analog. This was very surprising as I had been playing some other formats with no problem.
I went to the Settings and checked things out and saw no obvious problems; I had set SACD output to use the DSD option so I decided to try the PCM option and the discs played perfectly on both outputs. Being puzzled by that I decided to go back to settings and try the DSD output again and it then worked perfectly.
I have no idea what that was all about, but if you experience a similar problem with DSD, switching momentarily to PCM may fix your problem too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: OPPO BDP-83SE - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - black

Special Audiophile Edition Blu-ray PlayerThe OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition Blu-ray Disc Player is an exciting upgrade based on the highly acclaimed BDP-83. Already well known for its exceptional audio and video performance, the BDP-83 is upgraded with an all new analog audio stage and improved power supply to become the Special Edition.Designed for the discerning audio enthusiast, the OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition Blu-ray Disc Player delivers an exceptionally wide dynamic range, ultra low distortion, accurate sound stage and jitter-free music clarity via its dedicated stereo and 7.1ch analog audio output.The OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition uses the state-of-the-art Sabre32 family of Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) from ESS Technology. The Sabre32 family is known as one of the industry's highest performance audio DACs and are often found in high-end audiophile and professional equipments. The OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition uses an 8-channel Sabre Premier (ES9006) DAC chip for its 7.1 multi-channel output. The dedicated stereo output uses another 8-channel Sabre32 Ultra (ES9016) DAC chip by stacking 4 DACs for each of the Left and Right channels to achieve even greater audio performance.Just like the BDP-83 it is based on, the OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition is a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player featuring bit-stream and full decoding capability for high resolution audio tracks such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Designed for both home theater viewers and music listeners, it plays DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD) and standard CD with excellent video and audio performance in addition to Blu-ray Discs. For a detailed list of features, please refer to the BDP-83 Features and Specifications page.OPPO Digital recommends the BDP-83 Special Edition to enthusiasts who primarily use the analog audio output to connect to either a dedicated stereo or a multi-channel surround system.

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Monday, June 13, 2011

Yamaha BD-A1000 Blu-ray Disc Player, Black Review

Yamaha BD-A1000 Blu-ray Disc Player, Black
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I previously purchased the Yamaha Aventage RX-A1000 AVR so I decided to go with this player as at the time I was pretty sure I was going to go to a 3D TV soon. My life has been busy the last few years and I amm not totally up on all of the latest. As I was going through setting up the player and reading the owner's guide I noticed that it played Super Audio CDs whatever they are. So I did some hunting for SACD sources and tried a sampler called the World's Greatest Audiophile Vocal Recordings on the Chesky Records label. Well unlike Bill's world famous hamburgers that no one has every heard of these tracks are fantastic in their clarity and musicality. Everyone that hears this disc is thoroughly impressed. I have quite a few SACDs now and they give high quality vinyl a run for its money. This is an impressive deck with lots of capability including multichannel SACD soon to be tried in my listening room. I would buy it again.

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High performance, 3D-ready Blu-ray disc player that is the perfect match for Yamaha AVENTAGE series AV receivers. It offers impressive video and audio qualities, including Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube Internet video streaming, along with dual USB (front/rear) inputs, to offer a wide array of audio and video playback. The BD-A1000 Blu-ray disc player will provide countless hours of music and video enjoyment.

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