Most of LD collector's have had experience with so many Laserdisc Players...
At the end, after testing the old ones and the new ones, we all agree in one thing...
Forget about the Digital Era, CLD-99; LD-S9; X9....All those players are good, but to get a rich picture and less noisy and at the old fashion way in our Gold Times, you must get the CLD-97; and if you want superior the LD-S2.
Well we always have the option of the X0, but only for those who need Hi-Vision. The LD-S2 and X0 on NTSC have the same picture, actually these 2 units share "pure signal" output and Linear Motor.

I still have an LD-S1 and a LD-S2 in my rack:).

Then you have too great machines... They still deliver ;)
I love the LD-S2...Great machine, same level as the X0 (but without Muse capability)

we all agree in one thing...

Who are you speaking for? If this were true, there wouldn't be the regular "X0 vs X9" threads here every month!

Hey this was an expression..lol Don't get me wrong my friend :)

"The LD-S2 and X0 on NTSC have the same picture"
Uh ... close, but definitely not the same.
;)

But the LD-S2 can do a good job ;)
If we compare the difference of picture from the X0 to the LD-S2...it's different i agree, but not dramatically.
The HLD X9 has too much Digitalized Picture...THe X0 has a more natural film like.

The CLD-97 is vastly overrated. Its picture is very soft and it has the CLV white smearing issue. The smearing only seems less on this model than others because the picture is so soft that it masks the problem.

The HLD-X9 is the only player I've ever used with no CLV white smearing. I have not used the HLD-X0, but hear that it has similar results.

Can you still find these players around...? I'm on my second player now. Pioneer DVL-909 it playes but I want the best PQ that I can get. I'm using a HD80 PJ.

Steve

Yes you can. Go to www.videogon.com

So how do these all compare to a CLD-3080 or CLD-3090?

I'm seriously asking - because I have a 3080 and 3090 - and I haven't seen laserdisc player comparisons in many years - if ever. I currently have classic 40" Sony XBR CRT (with the 4x3 aspect ratio), and later this month I'll have a brand new 60" Pioneer plasma as well.

So, currently I'm planning on hooking the 3080 up to one of those TVs and the 3090 to the other. I'm not sure it makes a difference which of these players goes to the CRT and which goes to the plasma.

But is there any LD player in the $400 or cheaper range that would make a (noticeable) difference in picture-quality for laserdisc playback?

Thanks,
Bill

Hi Bill
I would say you have a pretty nice player, and very seen among all players.
What can you do with $400USD...maybe buy a CLD99, CLD97 well used...
I would prefer to stick with your machines.
And besides Pioneer Plasma it's optimized for Laserdisc also, don't worry.
If you want to buy a very good machine and not comparable wait until a $400 USD LD-S2 comes on ebay...some go for that price, and it's an awsome unit. Other level in LD...

"The CLD-97 is vastly overrated."
OUCH!! I wouldn't say that at all, especially through its Composite output with NR set to "Off." Compared to any other US-market models it more than holds its own.

With regard to video quality there are advantages even when compared to the only one or two other US machines in its league. And the disadvantages are a matter of opinion - some people value minimal smearing, some value resolution, some value minimal chroma delay, some value features, etc. The lack of ringing ("white fringing" in high/low contrast transistions) is much welcome in comparison to most other models. And the shortcomings of any player - including the smearing on some discs - can be ameliorated by system setup or companion equipment.

With regard to audio quality the CLD-97 is at the top of the US heap, both as a digital transport and used with its onboard DAC's.

Seems like only yesterday that the '97 was dismissed since it didn't have the '99's (lousy) 3D filter processing. Now the '97 is being tossed as being OVERrated? :)

Obviously ... my opinion. :cool:

"So how do these all compare to a CLD-3080 or CLD-3090?"
The CLD-97, CLD-95, LD-S2, CLD-704 and even (gulp) the CLD-99 are all an almost an inarguable improvement over the '80 and '90 and their generational relatives. I owned a '90 and the audio quality alone made it hard to accept even back then. The video quality was okay. I was very happy to move on from the model after a relatively short time.

"is there any LD player in the $400 or cheaper range that would make a (noticeable) difference in picture-quality for laserdisc playback?"
Any of the above, although you might have to pay a little more than $400 for the '97 or the S2 in excellent condition. Even a CLD-92 would be an improvement.

Ok Hunter keep your opinion...
I mean you opinion is respectable. But what i see on it, is that you love your CLD 97 :), so that's a good thing. I also like very much that player and it does a pretty good job, i ever dare to say that the CLD 97 has a picture better than the HLD X9.
But comparing this player to the LD-S2 is like comparing X9 to X0.
NOT COMPARABLE... We have to realize something here.
First:

Pioneer HLD X9 $2600 USD when new
Pioneer HLD X0 $6000 USD to $8000 USD when new.

Now one is from 1995, and one is from 1996. Don't tell me that in one year the parts inside the players decreased 50%...

THis is like comparing Ferrari to Porsche. Ferrari is Ferrari, and porsche will always be a nice quality sports car, but....without the Ferrari "charisma".

What i want to tell you, is that you cannot compare the CLD 97 to the LD-S2.

The LD-S2 is the same as the Pioneer LD-X1 (LD-S2 model in Japan).

All the Pioneer X-Line represent their best products. As you can see the best here are X0 and X1 (lower numbers), while the X9 is right next.
Of course when the X1 was launched, there was no X9 or even X0, but they called it X1 because, it was close to perfection on LD. And so they considered the X0 as their flagship. All knowledge of engineering is on that particular player.
Okay the X9 has an advanced comb filter, and so... Do you actually use it?
I believe most of the LCD's and Plasmas of this world from major brands have more advanced comb filters.

What i would say to conclude is that your Pioneer CLD 97, is ONE OF THE BEST DUAL SIDE LD PLAYERS. That you can say...
But i really don't care about dual side, i don't mind to flip the disc. ;)

CLD-97 better than the HLD-X9>Absolutely NOT, that is my VERDICT...

CLD-97 better than the HLD-X9>Absolutely NOT, that is my VERDICT...

Hello Electro,

I have just read your replies about the various Laserdisc players, and to be honest found your comments aggreable.

I myself have the following players; DVL 91 / CLD 97 / CLD 99 / HLD X0(Reserved in Japan) HLD X9 / DVL 909 / DVL 919 / CLD 925.

I suppose I am not bothered about which players pictures are the best, but have a fondness in general of the format.

I do however agree with the importance of picture quality especially when it come to front projection, of which I shall be purchasing within the next year, if all goes well.

I would greatly appreciate any help in setting this up I.E. advice from others also video scalers DVDO iSCAN HD.

I shall look forward to hering from you at your convenience sir.

Genuine and honest regards

Mark

P.S. I hope your system is going well and what has been your most recent purchase.

Christopher054:
With ALL due respect, what is your point?
Thank you

The CLD-97 is vastly overrated. Its picture is very soft and it has the CLV white smearing issue. The smearing only seems less on this model than others because the picture is so soft that it masks the problem.

The HLD-X9 is the only player I've ever used with no CLV white smearing. I have not used the HLD-X0, but hear that it has similar results.

I was tempted to buy a HLD-X9 (to replace my LD-S2) back when they were closing them out - but the price was $3499. (I still have the AV Lab flyer) Thirty six pound unit (vs LDS2 at sixty two pounds). Heavyweight stuff. Couldn't pull the plug because at that time the format was pretty much finished. Reverse of the flyer features an LD-S9 for $1,999.

My LDS1 by the way (purchased in July 1987) still works perfectly and has never been in the repair shop:) And it has spun a thousand laserdiscs over the years. All I ever had to do was hit the laser lens once a year w/ compressed air.

Ok, Guys. Let's entertain each other ...
Where did anyone get the notion that I think the CLD-97 is better than the HLD-X9??? :eek:

Did anyone actually read this - only one or two other US machines in its league. and With regard to audio quality the CLD-97 is at the top of the US heap, both as a digital transport and used with its onboard DAC's.
Now, granted, I did add emphasis here - bold font "ON" :p - but the post twice referred to US models. That would be the United States of America. The sometimes-conceptual group of people from which I am posting. The one below Canada, north of Mexico. That would be a geopolitical unit independent from another country named "Japan" where the HLD-X9 was designed, developed, and exclusively marketed!!! (yes - please don't try to slip in alternative sources, backdoor color markets, importers, used models as proof that it was also a US model ... :) )

you cannot compare the CLD 97 to the LD-S2
Well, I can. I did! :) Anyone can compare the two. To each other or ... even a can of tomato soup. lol
Have you ever experienced what I posted - compared the CLD-97, via composite out with NR "Off" to the LD-S2? Side by side? With the same discs, signal paths, etc.?
They are quite comparable. They are NOT equivalent, but the video signal output by the '97 is not necessarily a downgrade from the S2. The signal quality is not the same, but my experience with the S2 and three 97's is that the latter has slightly better saturation and fidelity, while the former has a cleaner picture.
From an audio standpoint there is no comparison - the 97 is much better than the S2.

So ... yes, comparable. As I posted personal preferences and system and setup will guide the user's ultimate ranking.

As far as using price as a measure of qualitative comparison, that really is invalid. The CLD-99, for example, was more expensive than the CLD-95 and is inferior in almost every way (assuming firmware upgrade).
Another comment on prices -
Now one is from 1995, and one is from 1996. Don't tell me that in one year the parts inside the players decreased 50%...
Well ... have you ever been inside these two players? Spent serious time with the Service Manuals? They really are two different beasts. There almost IS twice the parts/boards/chassis difference. :eek:

Okay the X9 has an advanced comb filter, and so... Do you actually use it?
Uh ... yeah. As anybody on this Forum can verify I, along with two or three others, was one of the original AVS owners, users, and fanboys of the X9. And one of several that became increasingly uncomfortable with the performance of its comb filter. I ended up spending over $2,000.00 trying to find ways to ameliorate its unfortunate characteristics when used in a high-end video system: the outlining, the checkerboard patterns, the noise, the reduced resolution, etc. It turns out that the design of the output circuit precludes the very best possible signal, even though other aspects are excellent. Ultimately the only way around this was to get back to some of the ... earlier generations. You may not remember but there was a time when the LD-S2 was NOT seen as a reference, when it was ignored, when the CLD-97 and CLD-95 were derided, when the artifacts and deleterious effects of Pioneer's digital separation, processing, recombination, and S-Video output were considered by some as the ultimate improvement of the LD format. So, yes, we have used the filter and its results. :)

Want more? Check into the first generation of The Perfect Vision. You will find pages and pages of reviews and comparisons of high-end LD players, including some comments by Joe Kane. All of these US players were reviewed in demanding - and sometimes discouraging - terms.

So ... yes, it is not only possible, but instructive and helpful to compare the S2 with the 97, and with the X9, the X0 and other players. As I posted earlier personal preferences and system and setup will guide the user's ultimate ranking. Along with the associated checking account ... :p

If you haven't taken the time - or don't know that the discussions are available - I would welcome you to spend hours reviewing the AVS archives for dozens (hundreds?) of posts on these models and their pros and cons. Heck - you might even find some development (okay, improvement) in my understanding through the years ...
:D

Interesting to find this thread. I have a Pioneer Elite DVL-91 which is still going after almost 10 years. I still like its sound better than my Marantz DV8400 (though not as a CD player; I bought the Marantz for that).

I would love to be able to see either the S2 or an X0. I live in St. Louis, MO and have an X9. It's hooked to a Pioneer Elite 53" widescreen HDTV, which is said to have the same comb filter. The TV also has a BNC composite input. If anyone living near St. Louis has an S2 or X0, it would be cool to compare then since you can use the "pure" BNC output directly into a TV with the same filter as the X9. Would be a fun shootout.

Hunter you have your opinion, for me it's the same and i thik it's pretty much respectful. Just tell me one thing...
What i see among collector's is that some of them with opportunity to buy an X9 soon or later they all change for the X0. (some of them, not all)
And why is that? Because of the weight? Or does it has much more quality compared to the X9.
Price in used is double, so why people pay double for a comparable player?
About the LD-S2 that's another thing, and as for that i leave the opinion to the owner's of this machine.
I had the Mcintosh MLD7020 (CLD 97 Clone) and once i found an LD-S2 i just put it on ebay.

Cheers

What i see among collector's is that some of them with opportunity to buy an X9 soon or later they all change for the X0. (some of them, not all)
And why is that?

Because once seen in comparison to the HLD-X9 the superiority and uniqueness of the HLD-X0 is pretty obvious.

The people who have the interest, library and $$$ for the HLD-X9 are perfectionists. The reason for buying the X9 is to get the best video quality possible from laserdiscs. Locating, spending the money for, and shipping the HLD-X0 makes it far less attractive. And the thinking is that since it is an earlier generation and because the X9 is better than most US models, that the single-sided X0 can't really be an improvement. So the X9 is the choice.
But out of curiousity, the need to push the boundaries, and from hearing from X0 owners, the people you refer to end up seeking out the X0. And then once it is hooked up, they see its superiority. It has a film-like purity, increased resolution, lack of noise, dynamic range and saturation of color, and lack of ringing that is just not like anything around, especially when using the BNC output.

Because of the weight?
The weight certainly plays a small part. Note that the weight, however, is not because the designers added padding to be impressive. It comes from the amazing amount of components and boards, as well as the vault-like chassis.

Or does it has much more quality compared to the X9.
It has higher and different quality. The power supply, for instance, is made of discreet components, instead of a few chips. And in addition to the initial filtering on the PS board, there are subsequent regulating and filtering components on many of the various video and audio boards. Even the transport and laser mechanism subboards have their own PS components.
The X9 has excellent design and components for its functions. It's just that the X0 takes everything to a demanding and perfectionist level.

The biggest difference is in the fundamental video design. The X9 builds and improves very well upon everything Pioneer learned over the years, from the low noise design to the advanced, next/final generation Y/C filter, to the noise processing, and output. But Pioneer did even better through one of the three video output choices in the X0: through the BNC output (only) the video signal not only benefits from all of the design up to that point (which is very close to the X9), but is provided at that output in its most basic, clean and pure level. There is no processing, no filtering, no further pathway. It is not even routed to any such circuits in a bypass path. The design "improvements" are never there to begin with. And it makes a big difference.

So you have the best, most simple and straightforward pathway and signal possible. And this is fed from the superior MUSE laser assembly, which provides a higher resolution, lower noise, lower phase-shift pickup off the disc than any other player (other than the X9).

Put it all together and it is a unique signal. And it shows ... :D

Price in used is double, so why people pay double for a comparable player?
Don't know if I understand what you are asking here?
But again - to people who simply want the best possible they can get, the X0 doesn't have anything that is comparable for the things for which they are looking. It is expensive because there is a lot more inside and outside, and because there are not very many of the beasts around. Shipping alone from the East is close to $500.00 USD. :o (seriously)

Do not misunderstand me in any way. The X9, '97, S2, etc. are tremendous products. They are quite satisfying, and more than sufficient for the best laserdisc use that reasonable people could want. Among the three there are advantages and disadvantages that would make a ranking a matter of personal choice, more than a clear superiority of one over the other two.

P.S. This thread should be renamed the Tony and Mattias HLD-X0 Tribute Thread. I remain indebteded (and poorer), Gentlemen ...
:p

Any idea how many years the X0 was made?

Christopher054:
With ALL due respect, what is your point?
Thank you

Hello Electrico,

Your reply comes accross as thou you are offended by what I wrote, if so this was never my intention.

What I was trying to convey was as follows; I feel at times that others can take the LD picture quality to serious.

I myself have the CLD 97 & HLD X9 and must say that the X9' PQ is better than the 97, but for me it's about the enjoyment of owning the hardware, which has been achieved by many months of hard work and effort.

Sure' I enjoy getting the best sound and picture as the next guy, but enjoy the format as a whole.

I shall look forward to hearing from you at your convenience, I hope you are enjoying your movies.

Honest and sincere regards
:)

Any idea how many years the X0 was made?

Hi friend' the X0 was made from late 1994 to early 1996 approximately.

Regards
:)

Hi Christopher
Just one correction, the X0 was made until 1996 that is correct, but Pioneer by order made few units until 1998. Same like LD-S2, very few are from 1998.

This thread is geeting interesting :)

Cheers Everyone

I bought my LDS2 in 1996 and was was told production had ceased the year before.

Yes that's correct. It happened that Pioneer still had components to make more players, however they didn't do it unless someone order it.
Your LD-S2 has AC3 already? I know some of them have. Mine doesn't have.
It's a FANTASTIC player.
Want to sell? :)

Hi Christopher
Just one correction, the X0 was made until 1996 that is correct, but Pioneer by order made few units until 1998. Same like LD-S2, very few are from 1998.

This thread is geeting interesting :)

Cheers Everyone

Hi cararte,
Good to hear from you as always ''with all sincerity'' and hope life is treating you well?

I am finding getting hold of my HLD X0 is proving very ellusive indeed but shall keep enduring all the same.

You know me!....I just love to own the hardware to play my movies on.

For me it's the dream of owning such rare players, and to take great care of them. These esoteric purist players if taken care of will last, as this of course is what they were built to do......

I think some members take the picture quality issue to seriously, which is fine up to a point, but there are others who just love the format ''the players and the software''.......I just love hearing the players in action, with their different external & internal designs and how they function....that's the beauty of the laserdisc format.

Sure!.... great quality DVD / HD DVD & Blu-Ray players have their own type of appeal example, the refinement of the parts the quality of build and how they all operate, also the refined way in which the drawer opens & closes. ''YES GUYS MOST OF US LOVE THE WAY HIGH QUALITY TRAYS OPEN AND CLOSE''....Thickness of the shell and how much it weighs a pleasure to own.

Lovely thread and all of your replies ''I find great reading.''

Just chill out and enjoy the fruits of your many hours of labour, hard work and enthusiasm.

:):rolleyes::D

Hey Chris how are you?
Hope everything is good with you also. Yes i agree with you, it's not just about picture, it's about owning high end units and watch them work.
However, at the momment i'm not focused on CLD97; CLD 99; Runco; Etc...
I use X Line, X0,X1 (LD-S2 Japan Version),X9. These are my favorites.
As a Pre-Amp (AC3 Decoder) i use the Ada Cinema Reference.
This is my Laserdisc System. And discs i'm not the kind of person that buys full collections, i only have my selected titles that i like the most.

oh, and of course i still watch an Hi-Vision disc once in a while... :)

Hi cararte,

Good morning to you sir'

I am currently at work and shall be going home at 06:15 approx.

I still havn't got my equipment set up and still have to have to wait for a cabinet maker to design 2 AV Support stands, hopefully before the end of 2009..........Is proving to be quite testing on my patience, as I so want to unpack my players and set them up.

I currently have a CLD 99 on the floor which I shall be using this evening to watch ''the edge'' with Anthony Hopkins.

I hope life is treating you well?

Kind and sincere Regards

Mark :):rolleyes:

Hey Mark
Why are you calling me Sir.? Lool Don't call me that... Only Ricardo ok.
Listen when are you going to try your X0. You still have it boxed? Man this is some player to try out...

Hi Ricardo,

Sorry for the late reply friend, working shift's and still no connection at home.

the X9 is still boxed but the X0 is still in Japan.........hav'nt got round to paying for it yet, but this year will hopefully be fulfilled.

I still need my support stands made to order, which is proving to be difficult with finances and all.

I shall keep hoping....friend....that's all I can do right now....a real drag to say the least.

Kindest regards

Mark :):confused:

P.S. This thread should be renamed the Tony and Mattias HLD-X0 Tribute Thread. I remain indebteded (and poorer), Gentlemen ...
:p


Thanks Hunter :o
I do agree with you. The X0 is the only way I can really watch LD seriously.
The S2 is maybe good but it do not have the laser as the X0 (plus the X0 superb signal path) and THAT makes a big difference. Playing old or poorly mastered (almost the only reason to have LD today) LDs and one can really see a big difference between a X0 and a S9 or R7G. The image have much less noise and are much more solid.

Damn, I have been missing my X0 for some time now, is it hard to find good X0 today? :D

Hi Nin
You are the right person to tell in this forum...you actually owned 2 of each. What's the best player:

- HLD X0
- HLD X9

I think the X9 has too much digitalized picture , the X0 has a more natural picture and more vibrant colours, don't you think?
And anyway X0 is a $6000 to $8000 USD machine and the X9 is a $2600 USD machine, with one year difference.

For me the X0 is much more well built an quality is almost not comparable.

Hi Nin
You are the right person to tell in this forum...you actually owned 2 of each. What's the best player:

- HLD X0
- HLD X9

I think the X9 has too much digitalized picture , the X0 has a more natural picture and more vibrant colours, don't you think?
And anyway X0 is a $6000 to $8000 USD machine and the X9 is a $2600 USD machine, with one year difference.

For me the X0 is much more well built an quality is almost not comparable.
Mr. Cararte:
You asked for Mr. Nin's opinion. Let him opine, shall you? It IS that SIMPLE.
Thank you

What!! What are you talking about. You are in the wrong forum. This is Laserdisc... and i'm talking in a friendly way. Those comments save it for others...

What!! What are you talking about. You are in the wrong forum. This is Laserdisc... and i'm talking in a friendly way. Those comments save it for others...
Mr. Cararte:
Please RE-READ your thread. Secondly you asked for an opinion. Instead of waiting for Mr. Nin's opinion you went on with yours. I am NOT in the wrong forum and I am aware what a laserdisc and laserdisc players are, thank you. I have three High End LD players and at least 400 LD's, Sir. Friendly or NOT you did NOT allow Mr. Nin's opinion before rendering yours. You can't be objective that way NOR anybody can be objective towards you since you were forcing your opinion after asking for one, Sir. "Those comments save it for others..." reflect your hostility and inability to accept criticism.
Thank you

I vastly prefer the X0.

I vastly prefer the X0.

Do you still own your X0's and X9's? I thought I read that you had sold your players, or maybe that was someone else.

I sold all 4 player and almost all LDs to fix my finances. But I have asked Nicolas how much a X0 cost now, so one never knows ;)

My CLD-3080 and CLD-3090 are both having issues. One's not playing and is having trouble opening the front door. The other is making horrible noises when trying to flip sides.

SO - on eBay - I found some CLD-79s. Now my question is - how should I hook up a CLD-79? I've always used S-Video for hooking up my LaserDisc players in the past, but some recent thread browsing I've done suggests that some players work as well or better from composite video?

One of the TV's I'm hooking up to is an older, 40" Sony XBR CRT. It's "so old" that it has component video inputs, but no DVI or HDMI inputs. But I can easily choose between feeding it S-Video or composite.

The other TV is a brand new 60" Pioneer Elite plasma. Again - I can choose between feeding it S-Video or composite when attaching a CLD-79.

Configuration suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

My CLD-3080 and CLD-3090 are both having issues. One's not playing and is having trouble opening the front door. The other is making horrible noises when trying to flip sides....how should I hook up a CLD-79? I've always used S-Video for hooking up my LaserDisc players in the past, but some recent thread browsing I've done suggests that some players work as well or better from composite video?

There's a company in Olympia, WA that will repair your players. A Google search for "laserdisc repair" will return the name of the place. I was quoted $140 to do a full alignment and repair, plus you have to pay UPS shipping both ways in a really nice and heavy padded box, it can start to up up.
http://www.access-one.com/rjn/laser/legacy/ld92.txt

My CLD-3080 and CLD-3090 are both having issues. One's not playing and is having trouble opening the front door. The other is making horrible noises when trying to flip sides.
Bill

The one not playing could be as easy as cleaning the loading belt but these older machines sometimes need cleaning and re-greasing. The side flip on the other could just be the that keeps the gears engaged when transitioning from the stationary track to the turn device.

Anyway LD is recorded in a composite format so whether the S-Video or composite works better depends on your TV/Monitor and player compatibility. Some players actually generate Y/C (S-Video) after the memory/TBC section when doing the D/A and then combine the Y/C to remake the composite. Some players give you straight composite. Try both and use what you like.

I do help people with players but you would need to PM me to discuss further.

Do anyone knows if Chinese Club Discount are still in business? Do Daniel Law still work there? Any homepage or mail address to him?

Hey this was an expression..lol Don't get me wrong my friend

No offense intended!

/begin rant

What's frustrating about these LD posts is the fact that the format has been dead for several years, but there seems to be a new "best" player from year to year, despite no development made on the hardware front.

I purchased an S9 in 2001 after all the glowing reviews by the usual suspects during that time period when the Japanese players were first "discovered". Shortly after, people started importing the X9 (an older player) which was then declared to be "the best". Then X0's (an even older player) starting trickling out of Japan, and it replaced the X9 as "the best", and the X9 declared "horrible", "digital", "unacceptable", "unwatchable", "worst player ever", etc. I've not seen an X0 so I'll give the benefit of the doubt to folks who have the ability to make a direct comparison. But all this is frustrating as I could have just gone to the front of the line while the X0s were still readily available. Most of the Japanese players can't be easily auditioned so one is forced to rely on the opinions of the regulars here which seem to change like the wind.

I don't know if comparisons between the X9 and X0 are splitting hairs or not, since I have no way to compare - but some of the folks extolling the X0 virtues are using lesser video chains than myself and seem to pick up on seeming minutiae that appears to be nothing more than bandwagon jumping propped up by the same two VERY vocal followers.

I now have an X9 (based on what appears to have been bad, premature advise, since it's PQ has now been declared "unacceptable") and I'm left wondering every time I use the unit if missing out on something. This makes it very difficult to simply enjoy this player, as it's received more trashing here than *ANY* Pioneer combi-player has *EVER* received (combi players universally labeled "mediocre", X9 "unacceptable").

What gives?

/Axatax out until next months X0 vs X9 thread....

Hey. no doubt you have an excelent player...X9 is a High End machine...
However, and here don't take me wrong...you cannot compare it to X0 only because the X0 is the Pioneer Reference Player, and has alot more technology, apart from the comb filter.
But the X9 is fantastic, i also own X9 and i love it. This unit is also becoming RARE and very desired from collector's.
But when compared to X0 opinions split...
For example some people hate single side players, and the X0 is a single side player. Just the pickup for the X0 costs around $700 USD...
For the X9 you can buy it with $400 USD...
You also have to see the maintenance here, because not every person is willing to give lots of money to service an X0...
Even the X9 is not cheap to be serviced...this are very High End machines.
Congrats on your X9...
Hey the S9, if i was you i would sell it and would buy a spare X9, it's a much better player, no comparison...
Cheers

Hey the S9, if i was you i would sell it and would buy a spare X9, it's a much better player, no comparison...

On that part I definitely agree. The S9 is just a CLD-99 with a different 3D comb filter, and that comb filter looks less and less impressive with each passing year.

Hi Joshua
Yes definitly, the X9 is alot more improved, and these days is possible to find one around $2000 USD...even if tired, a new spindle, belts and a good cleaning, will refresh it as new ;)

I have not spoken to Daniel since 06? or so. I know he was no longer at chinese club, I did hear about some company problems, but don't recall the details. At the time still did some small amounts of exporting. Recall something about selling mobile phones, LCD, cameras and such things at another shop.

Hey the S9, if i was you i would sell it and would buy a spare X9, it's a much better player, no comparison...

Don't get me wrong, I'm totally digging the X9 (paired with an Entech CVSI-I and CII) - it's a big jump over the S9. I'm just a bit sour since I could have jumped on at least two X0's and I passed them up :) The comparisons in the X0 vs X9 thread are very convincing. Still in the market for an X0 if the opportunity presents itself.

I'm actually going to part with the S9 soon. Need to make room here as I have too much equipment that is currently unused...

Hey
I agree with you. But it's a shame that you cannot buy an X0 for the value that would be fair...no more than $3000 USD...

I have had two HLD-X0, two HLD-X9, one S9 and one R7G (and other lesser players) and I would say that if one really have the money and the collection, the X0 is the way to go. But it is a older player (last one was made 1999) and are more complex and it will probably be much easier to repair a X9 than a X0, and much cheaper too.