[spiffnme]

Is the Denon DVD-5900 still considered the top player out there? Are there any other players out there in it's league (now or in the near future?)


I'll be in the market for a new TV and player and just want to keep up to date with what's out there.


fyi - my concerns for a DVD player are as follows (in order of importance):


1) CD audio playback quality

2) PQ (will likely be hooked up to a new DLP set via DVI)

3) layer change speed

4) multi-channel SACD audio quality

5) multi-channel DVD-A audio quality


Does anyone know if any of the boutique brands have anything like this in the works? (Rotel, Arcam, etc...)


Thanks.

 

[harp795]

I haven't heard any other universal player that betters the 5900's audio section. DVD-A, SACD and redbook CD all sound fantastic. The fact that it has a great video section is just an added benefit.

 

[BillP]

Note that Denon will be replacing its entire line by the end of the summer. There will be a replacement for the 5900 (with a list of $2500).

 

[spiffnme]

Any word yet what those replacements will be, and what they'll be adding that would make anyone want to buy a new player?


I'm guessing DVI on the "new" 2900 and 2200? What else?

 

[nakenergy]

check out the new Onkyo top of the line DVD player -

http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_23921.htm

 

[Kal Rubinson]

In the price range, it's a killer. There's better but for lots more $$$$.

 

[YvesC]

Quote:

Originally posted by spiffnme Any word yet what those replacements will be, and what they'll be adding that would make anyone want to buy a new player?

Me too, I'm wondering what they will add, especially what will justify the new 5910 to cost 2500$ (25% more than the current 5900, which has a MSRP of 'only' 2000$!!!)


Yves

 

[Thomas Marshall]

spiffnme,


Not sure about the Layer Change Speed, but I'm still loving my Pioneer DV-59AVI and it's got all the other requirements you listed, as well as HDMI.


My friend brought his Denon 5900 over for a side by side and as far as we were concerned the picture quality is neck and neck.


My unit has run flawlessly form the get go, I trashed my D1 and 931 and never looked back.


Oh, it's also $1000.00 less than the Denon. It's a winner in my book.


By the way, I noticed you live in LA, send a PM if you're interested in stopping by for a look, I'm planning a little HT get together in the next month or so for my fellow AVS enthusiasts

 

[spiffnme]

Thanks for the thoughts. I've been reading that other thread about new Denon players as well. I'm still a little ways off from getting a new player so it once again looks like the "wait and see" approach will be best.


Thanks again all.

 

[LEVESQUE]

I did compare the 5900 with the 59ai, and with ALOT of other DVI players, and to my eyes the 5900 is still at the top.


On my 34" and 40'' direct-views, the differences are really small between all those players, but on my 110'' screen, the 5900 is clearly the best.

 

[spiffnme]

I'll likely be getting a 61-63" DLP set or there's a slim chance of getting a front projector which would end up giving me approx. a 85" picture.


LEV...you seem to be big on the Denon players (I've read many of your other posts). What do you know about the new Denon's that are coming?

 

[sasabune]

How about hdmi for the 5900 (the 5910?)so you can run an all digital path for DVD-A and SACD?

 

[pnichols]

On first glance, I'm not sure I see any gotchas in those Onkyo DVSP1000B specs.


Note especially that a DVD player OEM has finally combined Silicon Image deinterlacing with a separate upscaling engine IC in a DVD player so we now have a choice other than Faroudja. It's about time.


Now ............ if only it offered 1080i analog video via component for direct piping to CRT projection technology ....... too much to ask for.

 

[JimP]

Quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Marshall My friend brought his Denon 5900 over for a side by side and as far as we were concerned the picture quality is neck and neck.

Tom


What were you using to display the images?

 

[LEVESQUE]

On a 110" screen with a JVC HX-1U, the picture quality was not neck and neck between the 5900 and the 59ai. The 5900 was better to everyone in the room.


We did try those two players also on a Toshiba 65HDX82 RPTV, and they were really near.


The bigger the screen, the more apparent the differences...

 

[joecowboys]

I had a Centerstage scaler being used with a Sony 999ES and now I have a Denon 5900. The Denon overall beats my other setup in pic quality. Even though the 999ES has terrific pic quality. The 5900 just seems to have a better flow to the picture (smoother). Letters are incredibly clear! I was told the 5910 would push the picture quality to the limits (like the 5900) but the most biggest difference will e audio (ilinks) and possibly offer HDMI. In my personal opinion, the time may be perfect to go grab a 5900 on sale. The picture quality has got to be as close as you can get (5900) to HDDVD or D-vhs as you can get! Jeff from Denon did say that it would push the envelope in pic Q. I pointed out to him that we were already doing that with the 5900. He did agree, then said the audio options would be most affected. I already own a 5803 (now being upgraded to 5803A) so picture quality is top priority! Joe

 

[burtlively]

i had my mind set on the 5900, but i am torn now with the marantz 8400. the reviews say the marantz is superior for audio.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

See the review in the latest WSR for the 8400. Not really a good review if your still going to use it for DVD-V.

 

[Krobar]

What about the Theta Compli?


If it holds true to Thetas previous performances you should get excellent CD and DVD-A/SACD performance. The video side is based on a Pioneer player but the main weakness of the Pioneer was the crappy deinterlacer and Theta replace this with a Silicon Image solution so Video should be very good. I would guess Audio would be better than Denon and Video not quite as good but much better than the Marantz or Lexicon.

 

[burtlively]

kevin c brown,


that is precisely why i have not pulled the trigger on the 8400. the audio section is my highest priority, but i am sceptical of the 8400's video performance.