I was thinking of picking one up just for DVD-Audio. I see there is way to turn off the video circuits, which is good. Anyone have any experience with this player? Thanks.

isn't it rather outdated?

It's only a couple years old.

Yes, it's a fine player. I use a Denon 2900 now in order to get SACD. But, I was perfectly happy with the S97 for DVD-Audio over 5.1 analog.

Thanks. Anyone else want to weigh in?

I have the Panasonic F87 player for DVD Audio and quality is good; not excellent.
Will you be using the analog out?

Yes - I will be using the analog out.

any particular reason you aren't considering SACD capability?

any particular reason you aren't considering SACD capability?

I already own a SACD player (Sony NS9100ES).

I looked at several Audioholics DVD player shoot-outs before I bought one, and the panny S-97 was very highly rated for its video performance. They rated them on about 30 or 40 parameters, few of which I had ever heard, and it really did well.

It's been fine. I buy DVD-As, mostly Aix Records since they are so great. www.aixrecords.com. I sort of regret not buying a universal player that can also play SACD, but then if the SACDs sound as awful as MOST DVD-As, I didn't miss much. The DVD-A standard can be fantastic when done right, and it's Aix Records that does it right.. Most record companies just take old tapes from the 70s and toss the sound on a DVD-A they sound terrible.

The S-97 looks great. I got the silver model. I paid ~$275 in Oct. 2005 and they have come down since then. Re "aren't they sort of out of date?" I consider mine still new and plan to enjoy it for years to come! If you buy everything that they bring out to have the newest, you'll be in deep financial trouble, unless you're just loaded. The S-97 comes with an HDMI cable, but I use analong cables up to my receiver.

One comment I have heard re the S-97 is that its tray is sort of flimsy and it is pretty light. But if you handle fine home electronics as carefully as I do, you won't have a problem.

Thanks. Anyone else want to weigh in?