Hello

Right now I have a chance to get ahold of one of two CLD-R7G LD-players, but I don't know which one to choose... The price is probably going to be abut the same for both.

One has gone through a maintenance check at Pioneer and has had the following parts changed:

Belt
Pickup
Spindle motor

On top of that there is a 3 month guarantee as part of the service. I don't think the original box will come with it.

The other was bought new in 1998 and has had only one owner. It hasn't been used much and looks good on the outside as well. Box and everything else comes with it.

So, which deal is the best? I guess the nearly unused one is a sweet deal, but on the other hand there's no guarantee that the machine will work properly in the long run. The fixed one has all the most vital parts changed at a genuine Pioneer service center and comes with 3 months guarantee.

Any comments?

Once a player is adjusted properly and playing well it can play for years. I've had to work on players out of Pioneer repair facilities and same as older ones from owners. The best deal is the one that is playing properly. A new pickup is around $100 + installation/adjustments. I'm gathering one is the one on eBay for $350. For $300 I'll sell you a Mits M-7057 which is a Pioneer CLD-D704 with a guaranteed to operate to peak performance guarantee.

Any real reason you want a R7G? They do have the 3rd generation NEC 3D Adaptive filter but the generic player has a higher noise level than the CLD-D704/CLD-99 player. The CLD-S9 was the higher end Japanese player, then there were two players that were Hi-Vision capable that were better, the HLD-X9 and HLD-X0. The R7G does have a sharp picture but to me it looks a little artificial, not a bad player but not my favorite.

Kurtis

The R7G is an excellent unit. It is better than the US models 99 and 97. The R7G was constructed based on the enhanced modifications that make the X9 so good. Entry level does not mean weak.

The R7G is an excellent unit. It is better than the US models 99 and 97. The R7G was constructed based on the enhanced modifications that make the X9 so good. Entry level does not mean weak.

Some like it better, to me it has too much processing to make the picture sharp. The X9 is better. The R7G is a non-MUSE lower cost option for the Japanese market.

It is different as it was designed after the CLD-99. I was extremely disappointed is uses the same power supply design as found in the CLD-D606 but the video processing is newer. For the money I'd rather have the 97 and let the TV do its own processing thru its menu's.

I was extremely disappointed is uses the same power supply design as found in the CLD-D606 but the video processing is newer.
That was one of the things I've been curious about. Am I correct in assuming power supplies are responsible for a lot of the noise from a LD player? And how difficult is it to switch out a poor power supply for a better one and how much improvement would that yield? (Sorry if I am taking this thread off course)

You would have to kludge up something to fit, and limited by the footprint. Would not be easy.

You would have to kludge up something to fit, and limited by the footprint. Would not be easy.
Would it be worth it? (assuming the goal is to increase PQ)

All you would get is possibly lower noise, depends on the the layout of the other boards. I think the best way to really improve a player is buy a better one. The question is do you want a sharp picture or low noise. Different ways to go.