Who makes the cheapest Universal DVD-A/SACD HTIB?  

Pioneer, Panasonic, at one I thought Zenith...most of the major companies should be seeing a unit like what you want coming out in the next few months.

Sony won't, because they are pushing their SACD format, and naturally they wouldn't want to put over the "competing" DVD-A.

At least that's what it looks like. Please correct me if I am wrong someone...

Not sure about what the cheapest HTIB with a universal disc player is, but the Pioneer DV-563A can be had for $146 and has to be the cheapest universal disc player on the market. At that price, you can easily match with good electronics and speakers to build a more custom system than you could get in a HTIB at around the same price. For instance, match the DV-563A with the Pioneer VSX-D912K reciever (a steal at $300) and the Acoustic Research HC6 5.1 system (which seems to be universally acknowledged as one of the best values in speakers - incredible sound in a package you can get for $400 or less). Do that and you have a decent system for $880, better than many HTIBs in the same range or even more expensive.

edit --

I found the DV-563A on sale at Circuit City for $146 shipped!

Tantalizing... ;)

JVC's 5-disc THM303 does DVD-A and everything else except SACD; powered sub and an interesting surround satellite design for $299. Doesn't sound too bad on with the multi-channel DTS cds and DVD-A discs.

http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.p...uct_Id=3968486

This has my attention. Not sure if it qualfies as "cheapest" but it merits a mention for sure. Yamaha means quality, so...see what ya think!