Has anyone had any experience with the Halo D3 universal player? I am interested in getting one but have not seen any reviews or postings on them. Anyone know who's transport they use? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

I would also be interested in who the OEM is. The rear layout of the non-Halo version looks alot like Denon (as well as the feature set).

I'll pass.

480p / 720p / 1080i selectable scan rate, with Faroudja DCDI

Doesn't look like it has 480i or 1080p output, and Faroudja = macroblocking with susceptible displays.

I'll pass.



Doesn't look like it has 480i or 1080p output, and Faroudja = macroblocking with susceptible displays.

agreed with the concerns about the faroujda chipset but I wonder more about the audio--does have xlr 2ch outs, which I think is nice--i would be interested to see how it compares as an audio universal, which is what I imagine it was designes primarily as--the video features are just way to retro to be competitiv ein today's market with HD (and no 480i/1080p output--come on now!)--this player would be at best used as a backup video source for a non-primary tv...I can only imagine it was intended to compete on the uinversal audio features--I would be veyry interested in a review of its audio performance, esp ecially in comparison to the other universals below $5k

Thanks for everyones thoughts, I have decided to hold off on the Halo D3 player for now and wait till I can get an Esoteric DV50s. I am going to upgrade my processor instead. I have a Denon 5700 reciever doing the pre/pro feeding an Halo A21 and a McIntosh MC126 for power. My local dealer offered a great deal on a Halo C1 and since I really like the A21 power amp I already have I could not pass it up.

If you want audio first and video second, get a used DV50 or DV50s and don't look back. The component output DV50 can be had for low $2k range and the DVI output DV50s under $3K, sometimes way under. These players don't break.

larry

Thanks for everyones thoughts, I have decided to hold off on the Halo D3 player for now and wait till I can get an Esoteric DV50s. I am going to upgrade my processor instead. I have a Denon 5700 reciever doing the pre/pro feeding an Halo A21 and a McIntosh MC126 for power. My local dealer offered a great deal on a Halo C1 and since I really like the A21 power amp I already have I could not pass it up.


I have a c1 and absolutely love it--sound is fantastic. The one issue you may want to consider is that it has no ability to handle the new hd-audio formats and parasound "has no plans" (elicited this yesterday from parasound customer service) to update the firmware to be able to accept them--you will have to resign yourself, as I have, to using the 7.1 ch input, which could be problematic if you have multiple inputs (i.e., a nice universal for audio and a hd-dvd+/-blu ray for hd-video).

If you're in the market for great audio you may also want to consider the denon 5910--will also do 1080p unlike the parasound (and has the realta hqv chipset if sd video means anything to you), although it has no balanced outs. I really enjoy my denon 5910-c1 setup--if I had to do it all over again (and I may have to considering I am planning on setting up a new system at some point--was also considering the d3 mostly for audio) I would look into esoteric and ayre or maybe another 5910 although I want balanced outs this time...if you have any questions in particular let me know

Thanks Denophile for the info on the C1. At this point I am not real concerned about only one set of 7.1 inputs or the upcomming HD formats. I have a pretty large collection of SACD and DVD-a, and will be sticking to a universal player that works with those formats. I think Parasound may be reluctant to make or at least announce plans for those formats until they get established after seeing how small the market seems to be for SACD and DVD-a. I had thought about the Denon 5910 but don't need the 1080p since my display won't handle it (Pioneer Elite PRO730hdi 64") and I have not had the chance to compare it's audio abilities to the Esorteric DV50s which I am in love with, but I am impressed with the look and build quality of your 5910. I know this is a bit off topic but would like to thank you all for your responses, I have been to a couple of other audio/video sites and have seen a lot of snide nasty coments about peoples choices of equipment. Everyone here so far seems very helpful.

no problem--like i said I LOVE my c1--my decision process was much like yours--my display is a 1080i toshiba crt and I figured I would want something mostly for sacd and dvd-a (and I figured I'd get a dvdo processor if I were serious about upgrading video) given I was sending the tv a straight signal via a dvi cable--
as for the player I wsih I could comment on an experience with the esoteric but I have to say that across all the forums people seem to rave about it and I haven't heard anything negative--a plug for the denon--kris deering compared them audio and video wise and found them to be comparable as I recall when the 5910 came out...in any case you can't go wrong with the eso! Best of luck--in any case you'll be getting a great component for your system.

Has anyone had any experience with the Halo D3 universal player? I am interested in getting one but have not seen any reviews or postings on them. Anyone know who's transport they use? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
Don't see where you ever received a response to your inquiry. The Parasound Halo D3's are currently being clearanced at $999.99. They do not play Blue-Ray and the economy is down (their inventory is high); so, Parasound has slashed the price. I bought one over the weekend and can tell you the picture/color is very rich on my 32in HD Toshiba tube TV and exceeded my expectations. The sound on Red Book CD's is smooth and natural. No outboard DAC is required. Have not tried an SACD yet. It is a buy at $999.99

Don't see where you ever received a response to your inquiry. The Parasound Halo D3's are currently being clearanced at $999.99. They do not play Blue-Ray and the economy is down (their inventory is high); so, Parasound has slashed the price. I bought one over the weekend and can tell you the picture/color is very rich on my 32in HD Toshiba tube TV and exceeded my expectations. The sound on Red Book CD's is smooth and natural. No outboard DAC is required. Have not tried an SACD yet. It is a buy at $999.99

Has anyone been able to compare the D3 to the Onkyo DV-SP1000?

Don't see where you ever received a response to your inquiry. The Parasound Halo D3's are currently being clearanced at $999.99. They do not play Blue-Ray and the economy is down (their inventory is high); so, Parasound has slashed the price. I bought one over the weekend and can tell you the picture/color is very rich on my 32in HD Toshiba tube TV and exceeded my expectations. The sound on Red Book CD's is smooth and natural. No outboard DAC is required. Have not tried an SACD yet. It is a buy at $999.99

Hi johnny601,

I just ordered one of these today from Audio Advisor. The sales guy said that they were down to "just a handful". I was wondering if you had been able to check out some SACD's and could give me your impressions of the sound now that you have a few days of listening under your belt. Also, are you using the balanced outputs?

Thanks,
Dave

I got the D200 as a store Demo for $600, it seems like alot of DVD player for the money. Curious to hear other experiences about Parasound DVD players. The GUI seems like it might have some Denon in it, hopefully not Denon reliability though.

Hello all,
I bought one from AA about 2 weeks ago - strickly for audio part for my 2 channel system - i'm using XLR stereo (turn off all other channels from menu).
Compare to my Sony SCD777ES, for Redbook CD and SACD - I would say D3 sound is very close to my Sony.
Not sure how much time the D3 would need for break-in ; but it's sound pretty impressive, clear, deep tight bass.
The reason for adding D3 to my 2-channel system is that I have some concert/music DVDs and want to hear them thru stereo (I hook up video part to the 10" LCD just for DVD menu)
D3 decode the DTS and downmix to 2-channel XLR out, sound awesome (try the The Eagles - Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne - DTS soundtrack)
As you know, the SCD777ES was Stereophile class A for many years.
FWIW, the rest of my system includes: Krell KRC Ref pre-amp > Krell DMA300 monoblocks > Aerial 10T
I'm happy with the D3 for $1K (not $2.5K)
Hope this help :-)
Happy listening
Thuan

Hi all,
I'm about to return the D3- reason:
First 3 weeks, I'm using it as 2 channels player with S-video out feeding my 10" LCD
With second thought of why wasting the HDMI video - I went on and connect my 26" LCD HDTV to it. Last for about couple hours - now it crash every 5 mins playing (setting HDMI out with 720p) - it even crash with SACD/CD playing. Turn off HDMI out bring the unit back to normal operation.

So if you want to use it ($1K) for Redbook/SACD/DVD then no problem if don't use HDMI out

My case - I will pull out my trusty Oppo 981 for DVD usage and return the D3 (hope AA will let me refund)

I read someone post that he gave up after swapping 3rd unit - all have the same issue - CRASH !

I just don't undersatnd how Parasound can sell it for $2.5K with big bug !
Happy listening
Thuan