Music lover's universal player?

price range?

larry

I'm pretty happy with my Denon 3930CI for audio. I upgraded from a Denon 2900.

I originally upgraded to the 2930CI, but decided to go with the 3930CI mainly because of the audio.

I'm impressed with the way CD sounds using the 2 CH output and love the multichannel outputs for SACD and DVD-A.

Used market is best bang for the buck. Somebody picked up a Onkyo SP-1000 for $800 ($2k MSRP) on Ebay which is tough to beat for price/performance. A lot depends on the rest of your equipment and room on how much difference you'll be able to hear between each "tier" of players. Used Denon 3910s are about %50 MSRP or less. Marantz 9600 used is in your price range. The hardest part is getting to audition a player.

larry

mlankton,

I like the McCormack UDP-1 (but even used, it's a tad above your budget range).

Worth a listen...

- Steve O.

mlankton,

Whilst I personally prefer the Arcam universal models for sound, they are outside your stated budget but very close in all round performance and much cheaper are the Marantz DV 7600/9600. Well worth a look and listen.

One avenue to consider would be to buy an inexpensive universal from Denon or Oppo and have it professionally modded. Check Audiogon for advertisements from and reviews of modded, low-priced universals. No personal experience here, just a thought.

I went this route with the Oppo DV970HD, and the total price was in the range you specified.

Be very careful of mods. Many use the same mods to all players and hype/market the improvement. The same mods may not produce the same results with all players. The better modders will do custom work designed for each player. If you go the mod route I'd definitely start with something that already has a good analog/power section.

larry

For music, I would definitely second the Onkyo DV-SP1000, as well as either of the newer Arcams (DV137 or DV139).

Larry,

Interesting - which players have you had modded - postive/negative results?

I think your best bet with 3rd mods is to have the original designer hotrod the player. I had John Wright mod my Museatex dac, and I plan to have Steve McCormack update my universal player in the future.

- Steve O.

mlankton,

If you have a great pre-pro - by all means try using a CDP as a transport. Having a one-box solution for a CDP is usually more convenient, and economical. For folks that use $$$ cables, you're saving on a digital interconnect and extra power cord.

It's the same reason why you would have a prepro (one box) vs. preamp + digital processor.

- Steve O.

The OP was asking about a player that could handle SACD and DVD-Audio as well. Neither of these can be processed by your pre-pro, unless you have an iLink connection from player to pre-pro. They cannot be played by a standard digital connection.

mlankton,

If you have a great pre-pro - by all means try using a CDP as a transport. Having a one-box solution for a CDP is usually more convenient, and economical. For folks that use $$$ cables, you're saving on a digital interconnect and extra power cord.

It's the same reason why you would have a prepro (one box) vs. preamp + digital processor.

- Steve O.

Scorch123:

Could you please elaborate a little more about the above quote and can you comment about my desire with my system.

I am looking for a CDP and a DVD player or a universal one. I do not know if I should go a combo. My system is Music and HT.

I have the Proceed Pre/pro AVP2+6 channel which has one the best DAC. Mi amp is the
Proceed AMP5.

Thanks
I

Hi Oswaldo,

First part basically means bypassing the DACs in a CDP and passing digital stream to a DAC/upsampler/whatever. Ideally with a transport, more $$$ has been put into transport mechanism, power supplies, chassis, etc.

Then you need to apply similar design criteria for the DAC. Then there's the interconnect between the two.

With a well-designed integrated player (transport + DAC), you can have a "one-box" solution, although some CDPs still have an outboard power supply. For a dedicated two-channel hifi system, this can make sense.

You need to take into consideration features, price, serviceability/upgrades, etc for your solution. Your prepro is quite flexible, so I would stick with it for a long time (even though Proceed is no longer). BTW - what are you current sources for CD & DVD?

Hope this helps,

- Steve O.

Scorch123:

I am building my sytem: Music and HT . At the present time I have the gears that I mentioned above.
My speakers the Jm Lab Utopia Diva Be. No CDP and no DVD yet. I am looking for them.
Your opinion: Should I buy separate units instead of an universal one.
For what I have been reading it seems to me I should buy a unexpensive CDP due to the
quality of the DAC in the AVP2. Mlankton, on the above question addressed the same concern.
What features on both: CDP and DVD I should be looking in regard to a good sound for a 2 channel music,I know "good sound "is relative to the individual's ears,and good video .
I have a 1080p TV and I would like to take advantage of the TV's resolution with a well
designed features on the DVD.
If you have in mind some CDPs and DVDs players please let me know.

I quote: "For folks that use $$$ cables, you're saving on a digital interconnect and extra power cord" . Please could you expand a little about it. I am asking very basic stuff.

Thanks Steve O

oswaldo,

If you're going 1080P HD, what are you plans for BluRay or HD-DVD for hidef movies? You may find the audio from those players is great for your needs.

Also you need to determine if you are going to get any DVD-A or SACD music on disc. If not, that rules many other universal players (unnecessary features).

Regarding interconnect, power cords - just start with basic, standard, affordable cables - nothing expensive. Later when the rest of the system comes together, you can experiment with replacing them with others to see if you can improve the sound.

Very generic advice, but some things to consider up-front before buying anything more.

- Steve O.

Thanks scorch123.
Yes, my plans are to enjoy the 1080p by HD-DVD BUT without compromising the
quality of the sound via 2 channel. Is that possible by a BluRay unit? or by separate
CDP and DVD player?
I apologize for my questions, probably you have answered them. Just I want to
make sure about my next move: what to buy.

If you really want a musical Universal player, the McCormack UDP-1 is stellar, as a CD player, and SACD /DVDA as well. As a DVD player it is better than average, not the best.

Given the new BD, and HDDVD formats, however, Universal players are no longer universal, at least for now. The Toshiba HDXA2 is very good with CD's but not nearly as good as the UDP-1. Lot's of trade offs at the present time.

Chick Dishong
Industry Insider (don't ask)