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Arcam DV137 - Page 3

post #61 of 189
6/19/06 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by april2 View Post

Soldonandy,

Ive been checking for your review on the Arcam and read in another forum that the unit is already in for service? Sorry to hear it but what gives?

My dealer said apparently the first batch they go has problems, the two units my dealer had on their floor has issues with SACD. My unit initially froze up on a scene in the Underworld and then started doing it on other movies. Fortunately my dealer is going to get me another unit, it is worth the hassle because I believe this to be a good machine and know that the folks at Arcam will stand behind their products. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one if you are considering it.
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post #62 of 189
6/19/06 at 5:59pm
Thanks for the update. After my Proceed PMDT expired a few months back, I swore I would never go upscale again. Replaced it with an S97 but have the upgrade itch again and am considering the Arcam or the Denon 3930.
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post #63 of 189
6/19/06 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by april2 View Post

Thanks for the update. After my Proceed PMDT expired a few months back, I swore I would never go upscale again. Replaced it with an S97 but have the upgrade itch again and am considering the Arcam or the Denon 3930.

Why would you swear against upscaling, just curious? I have never had any luck with it myself.
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post #64 of 189
6/20/06 at 3:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by soldonandy View Post

Why would you swear against upscaling, just curious? I have never had any luck with it myself.

My apologies- I only meant 'upscale' in the sense of investing in a top of the line player.

Incidentally, since I have a few Region 2 discs which I have not had a chance to play, did you have a chance to test the PAL-NTSC conversion in the ARCAM ? If I go the Denon route, I will likely go with OPPO'S 971H replacement for PAL discs since it is supposedly will have component upconversion. I am still using a 40" Sony CRT pending release of SED or a 1080p plasma.
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post #65 of 189
6/20/06 at 5:02am
I got my DV-137 set up over the weekend. I played a variety of disks non-stop for about 48 hours with no problems.

Audio playback is excellent. I didn't do a direct comparison with my DV-79, but there did seem to be an improvement with all types of media. The 79 was stunning with DVD-A music, but this player seems to be a bit better. I have no complaints at all with CD playback, which means that I finally have a "universal" audio player that I can live with. (Over the years I've owned and sold the Denon 2900, 2910, and 3910.)

For video the DV-137 is connected to a Panason AE900 720p projector via HDMI. I used Arcam's cailibration software, which was good, and output at 720p. I watched Return of the King, and the picture was excellent. I'm more of an audio guy, so I tend to notice the major problems. Didn't see any here.

All in all I'd say my system will not be upgraded anytime soon. I have the DV-137 matched with Arcam's AVP700/P1000. Speakers are Paradigm Studio Reference 60s, bi-amped, and the CC570 center. The last thing I need to do is buy some rear speakers.

Unfortunately I realized over the weekend that this system is more enjoyable to listen to than my more expensive two-channel rig...
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post #66 of 189
6/20/06 at 11:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregeas View Post

I got my DV-137 set up over the weekend. I played a variety of disks non-stop for about 48 hours with no problems.

Audio playback is excellent. I didn't do a direct comparison with my DV-79, but there did seem to be an improvement with all types of media. The 79 was stunning with DVD-A music, but this player seems to be a bit better. I have no complaints at all with CD playback, which means that I finally have a "universal" audio player that I can live with. (Over the years I've owned and sold the Denon 2900, 2910, and 3910.)

For video the DV-137 is connected to a Panason AE900 720p projector via HDMI. I used Arcam's cailibration software, which was good, and output at 720p. I watched Return of the King, and the picture was excellent. I'm more of an audio guy, so I tend to notice the major problems. Didn't see any here.

All in all I'd say my system will not be upgraded anytime soon. I have the DV-137 matched with Arcam's AVP700/P1000. Speakers are Paradigm Studio Reference 60s, bi-amped, and the CC570 center. The last thing I need to do is buy some rear speakers.

Unfortunately I realized over the weekend that this system is more enjoyable to listen to than my more expensive two-channel rig...

How do you like the P1000?
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post #67 of 189
6/22/06 at 10:42pm
Give us more--please.
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post #68 of 189
6/23/06 at 1:44pm
Does the ARCAM 137 really put out 768p? It seems like if it did and if a 1366X768 Plasma would accept 768p over HDMI that you would have the perfect match. Has anyone tried the ARCAM 137 with a 1366X768 Plasma? Would anybody that doesn't own an ARCAM 137 land a 1366X768 display ike to hazard a guess as to the quality of such a combination?
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post #69 of 189
6/24/06 at 12:45pm
The preceeding questions have been censored by the Denon lovers.
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post #70 of 189
6/24/06 at 2:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artwood View Post

Does the ARCAM 137 really put out 768p? It seems like if it did and if a 1366X768 Plasma would accept 768p over HDMI that you would have the perfect match. Has anyone tried the ARCAM 137 with a 1366X768 Plasma? Would anybody that doesn't own an ARCAM 137 land a 1366X768 display ike to hazard a guess as to the quality of such a combination?

Interesting that it does do this. However, some 1366x768 plasmas will only sync at 1360x768 for NR. There isn't a standard that I'm aware of for video timings for 1366x768 like there are for 720p and 1080i, etc.

larry
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post #71 of 189
6/24/06 at 6:07pm
IF there will continue to be 1366X768 Plasmas manufactured for a few years--would it be THAT difficult to make them able to accept 768p over HDMI and have all the overscan issues perfectly resolved so you COULD get 1:1 mapping? Is it beyond the mind of man to accomplish such a feat?
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post #72 of 189
6/29/06 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregeas View Post

I got my DV-137 set up over the weekend. I played a variety of disks non-stop for about 48 hours with no problems.

How do you find the audio quality of the DV-137 compares to the Denon 3910?

Like yourself I am more concerned with audio quality than video quality. I have a Rotel pre/pro with Bryston ampification. My speakers are all B&W Nautilus series. For video I am using the Sanyo Z3.

Players I am concidering are the Denon 3930, Marantz 9600, Onkyo Sp1000 and the Arcam DV137. Obviously the 3930 isn't out yet but have you auditioned any of the other above players?

Steve
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post #73 of 189
6/29/06 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artwood View Post

IF there will continue to be 1366X768 Plasmas manufactured for a few years--would it be THAT difficult to make them able to accept 768p over HDMI and have all the overscan issues perfectly resolved so you COULD get 1:1 mapping? Is it beyond the mind of man to accomplish such a feat?

That assumes 1:1 mapping is necessary. Is it? Depends. Also, when there's no standard to adhere to, it's kinda hard to make it work for everybody.

larry
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post #74 of 189
7/3/06 at 8:35pm
I am considering this player, but I want to know if I will notice an actual diferrence in HT over my Pioneer Elite DV79AVi. Better picture? Better sound from digital out?
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post #75 of 189
7/4/06 at 10:47am
anyone?
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post #76 of 189
7/4/06 at 12:31pm
this is a good question. I would also like to know the answer. The Arcam seems like it should be awesome, but...
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post #77 of 189
7/4/06 at 1:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HT_New_Guy View Post

I am considering this player, but I want to know if I will notice an actual diferrence in HT over my Pioneer Elite DV79AVi. Better picture? Better sound from digital out?

Here is another one interested in the answer.
Only I do not care about digital out sound quality (shouldn't it greatly depend on your decoder/receiver - not player) but about quality/comparison of analog 5.1 output. Especially for music.
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post #78 of 189
7/4/06 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HT_New_Guy View Post

I am considering this player, but I want to know if I will notice an actual diferrence in HT over my Pioneer Elite DV79AVi. Better picture? Better sound from digital out?

Well, I guess I can answer the question. I had a DV137 and am now waiting for a replacement because the first one was defective. I have a 79avi that I use in the bedroom and brought it downstairs to put in the main room while the 137 was out. My TV looks worse with HDMI so I am using component, I don't remember seeing an appreciable difference video wise or audio wise (via digital). The Arcam may have a better picture and sound but it is subtle at best but after all, I think we pay huge premiums for those subtle differences.
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post #79 of 189
7/5/06 at 7:56am
What are you using as your pre/pro or receiver?
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post #80 of 189
7/5/06 at 9:29am
You can check a person's profile and they often have that in there. In this case, and Arcam 700.
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post #81 of 189
7/5/06 at 11:38am
Yes, the AVP700. I was just told by my dealer that I won't see a replacement unit until the end of the month as there is a software glitch with SACD.
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post #82 of 189
7/5/06 at 5:52pm
Mine died over the weekend as well. It lost the ability to play back everything except CDs. I will say that the audio is very nice from this player. But I'm disappointed that it lasted one week before breaking down.
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post #83 of 189
7/8/06 at 3:51pm
See this thread about the DV-137

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...ad.php?t=85627

Despite being a happy Arcam owner I'm going to have to pass on this one.
Looks like the 3930 for me
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post #84 of 189
7/9/06 at 1:15am
Quote:


In order to optimise performance on DVD and CD playback we have decided to remove multi channel SACD playback from the DV137.

Ditto. Either the 3930, or if they bring back MC SACD someday on the 137. Or, I'll just keep my current player.

Thanks for the heads up.
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post #85 of 189
7/10/06 at 4:33am
I think I may just have to track down a good price onm a Marantz DV9600... it looks like it is the best bargain out there right now...
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post #86 of 189
7/10/06 at 5:52pm
That, or the Onkyo 1000, or the Denon 3930 when it comes out.
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post #87 of 189
7/10/06 at 7:40pm
Here is the Andy Dutton's sticky posted on AV Forums:

Quote:


Hi

First I would like to apologise to those people that are having problems with their DV137 players. We will upgrade or replace any player that has an issue as we always have in the past.

The vast majority of problems that have come to light have been fixed by the introduction of new software version 2.03.The software has already be published to our distributors and dealers to enable them to help you.

All the players were tested before they left the factory and soak tested over night. However a small number of units have shown problems once they have been installed.

Many of the issues we have come across are down to set up. Please do not assume as soon as there is any problem that the player is faulty. HDMI problems can be down to configuration, cable length, even bending the cable too sharply, especially at 1080P. Please speak to your dealer about any issues first HDMI, Audio or Video as they may be able to resolve the problem just by helping you with the setup.

In order to optimise performance on DVD and CD playback we have decided to remove multi channel SACD playback from the DV137. We found distortion on a number of multi channel SACDs which requires further investigation but in the meantime we think it sensible to delete this feature. We hope to be able to reintroduce this later however it is impossible to give a cast iron promise on this. The DV137 can still play stereo SACDs.

Again I would like to offer our apologies for the problems some of you have had. You can rest assured that we will get it sorted as soon as possible. We have received hundreds of positive comments from dealers and end users on the DV137's audio and video performance, our focus is now on rectifying the outstanding issues.

Regards, Andrew Dutton
__________________
Andrew Dutton
Engineering Manager.
ARCAM
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post #88 of 189
7/11/06 at 5:47pm
I wouldn't get to bent out of shape about this player if you haven't bought one yet, I was an early owner and am out a DVD player until they get me a new one so I have the most to gripe about. One of the joys about purchasing a product like Arcam is that there is no grey area, just send it back and you get a new one. On top of that you got people like Dawson and Dutton buzzing around this forum making an effort to appease the masses at the onset of the problem. Hell, when my Denon 3800 went on the fritz or my Onkyo SP1000 had issues, nobody from those companies was proactively taking such lengths to nip the problem in the bud. More to that effect, I had to call Onkyo and Denon numerous times to get a straight answer about well known issues, pay for all the shipping involved and wait several months just to get the same unit back supposedly repaired. Arcam on the other hand, sees the issues early, swaps out a brand new one at no charge and the only aggravation is some lost time where you could have enjoyed the unit. I doubt this player will be inherently buggy, it is similar enough to Arcam's other players.
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post #89 of 189
7/12/06 at 7:56am
I just want to best player I can get for home theater use. I do no thave a 1080P display so I am not all that worried with it yet, however, It woul dbe nice to be able ot enjoy that down the line...

My objective is to get a player that is going to give me the best possible 1) sound and 2) picture. (in that order) I know that the digital out is the one that gets the least attention, but I really want to find the player that "sounds best for HT" Is that too much to ask?

I currently own the Pioneer Elite DV79AVi but I would trade it in if I found something significantly better. Do you think that the Arcam DV137 is going to be significantly better? Or should I seriously look at the Marantz 9600?

(I am also trying to decide which will be a better HT receiver the Marantz AV9600 or the Arcam AVR350, so...)
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post #90 of 189
7/12/06 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HT_New_Guy View Post

I just want to best player I can get for home theater use. I do no thave a 1080P display so I am not all that worried with it yet, however, It woul dbe nice to be able ot enjoy that down the line...

My objective is to get a player that is going to give me the best possible 1) sound and 2) picture. (in that order) I know that the digital out is the one that gets the least attention, but I really want to find the player that "sounds best for HT" Is that too much to ask?

I currently own the Pioneer Elite DV79AVi but I would trade it in if I found something significantly better. Do you think that the Arcam DV137 is going to be significantly better? Or should I seriously look at the Marantz 9600?

(I am also trying to decide which will be a better HT receiver the Marantz AV9600 or the Arcam AVR350, so...)

Seeking the best is what this hobby is all about but by the same token, the improvements you will get between the Pioneer and Arcam will not be huge video wise, in fact, anything that you'll see will depend on your display and your ability to notice the subtle differences. If audio is your thing, Arcam gives you a more noticeable improvement. I wouldn't necessarily trade up for the Arcam, Marantz got good scores if thats your thing, the new Denons will also score well.
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