Help! Looking for DVD player as good transport

Xi-Trum · « **on:** 20 Mar 2003, 02:15 pm »

I'm looking for a (single-play) DVD player that has a good transport so that I can add a DAC later. Price range is <$300. (the cheaper the better, of course!

)

Oh. It's got to be about to read CD-R/CD-RW/etc.

Any suggestions out there? Thanks.

jasonc · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 11:58 pm »

The Pioneer DV-656A may be worth looking into. Can be had for 175.00. This player is also a favorite of Dan Wright. Has a solid transport which makes it a good candidate to modify down the line.
http://www1.dealtime.com/GS2/GS2StatReDirect/?nFormID=87&formName=DVD_Players&deepLink=0&keyword=dv-656&nParentFormID=87

Jay S · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Mar 2003, 01:02 am »

What is really great about the 656A is that it is very similar to the more expensive 45A and 47Ai. Seems like they are all nearly the same under the skin, with the most notable difference from an audio perspective that the 656A doesn't play SACD while the other 2 are universals. Ric Schultz is also very positive on these 3 players (see www.tweakaudio.com for a description of the sound quality and internals) and has stopped modding all other machines. If I didn't have a Mensa, I'd consider a 45A or 47Ai with the full-boat Level II upgrade from Ric.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Mar 2003, 03:51 am »

I'm drooling over the idea of the "Full Monte" mods for my Pioneer, but I'm dissappointed that the tubed "Truth" ouput will only be for the front 2 channels. That's all good and well for stereo discs of older material, but I didn't buy my universal player to retread stereo: I WANT MY MC! Still, sounds like the mods will enhance all the channels, so that seems worthwhile. I just wish someone modding these things took MC more seriously.

Kishore · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Mar 2003, 12:46 am »

Yamaha 3200 (or 2300??) universal player and if your wallet allows denon 1600 (DVDA). I have personally heard Denon and is a fine player for the $$.

Based on my conversations with couple of manufacturers, the next gen Universal DVD Players MIGHT be with 1394/DVI interface.

Cheers,
Kishore

bubba966 · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Mar 2003, 01:36 am »

It's already been mentioned a couple of times. The Pioneer DV-656A is what Dan Wright always rec's for a sub $300 transport.

Can be had for $200 or less. Will do DVD/DVD-A/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/VCD/SVCD(I believe)/MP3. Can't go wrong for $200...
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/HomeProducts/HomeProductDetails/0,1422,71365,00.html

Xi-Trum · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Mar 2003, 02:32 am »

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Keep them coming.

I'll be checking them out.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 05:19 pm »

Xi-Trum,

Bought the 656A at XMas - damn fine DVD player - just trounces my old Sony DVP7700 in audio quality (both CD and DVD) and maybe 'pips' it in video.

The 656a is standalone video only (haven't played with it as transport), while DVPs7700 is my (MSB modified) transport for my audio rig. Don't know what's out there elsewere in the price range, but the 656a is a good one for video, for sure.

Incidentally, one of the Brit audio mags lauded great praise on this machine, too. But in the UK, it plays SACD (lending considerable weight to Jay S's comments about it being mechanically similar to 45 and 47 players) also and costs way more...more than twice as much if I remember right.