[Hank Rearden]

I am currently using a Sony Playstation 2 as my DVD source. The other day my wife brought home a Toshiba SD-K740 DVD player form Costco and I began wondering to myself what would I have to spend to buy something that plays SACD and DVD's with a modicum of respectability? I know, "What is your budget?" some are asking. I am thinking as affordable as possible. Can anybody offer suggestions? I am more concerned with sound than video abilities.

[Digi-G]

Pioneer has several Universal Players that are pretty reasonable - one is even less than $200usd (Pioneer DV-563A).  A friend of mine bought this and has been quite happy with it.  I've got the Pioneer DV-45A, which is a bit more expensive ($425usd), that I couldn't be more pleased with.   Both of these players offer SACD, DVD-AUDIO, and progressive scan.  As far as budget players go, I don't think you'll be giving up anything in regards to video performance - the Pioneers typically rate fairly high in this regard.

Here is a link comparing some of the different Universal Players:

http://hometheater.about.com/cs/dvdlaserdisc/tp/aatpdvdasacda.htm

I think the step up to SACD and DVD-Audio are well worth it - with software being the only real limitation (but it's growing).  Good luck and enjoy...

[Jose Garcia]

You will find the new model from Toshiba , the SD-4960 , for $149.00. This unit plays everything ( DVD/DVD-A/SACD/CD/DVD-R/etc...) and has a few video futures that will give amazing capabilities for its price.

If these units are as good as their SD-3950/3960, it is going to be a winner. Check them out at www.jandr.com , they are not available at this moment but will be soon.

Sony is coming with a new model too. It will replace the DVP-NS900V which was considered a good machine at $800. The new DVP-NS975V will has a RSP of $300.00 (street price should be around $250.00 or less).

Phillips has another player and Pioneer has the DVD-563a.

Hope this help.

Jose.

[jgubman]

Samsung is also coming out with a couple of universal players in the following weeks. The 841 and the 941 both should be competetive in the under $300 market.

[Bill Baker]

Greetings,
  I recently piced up a Sony DVP-NC685V SACD/DVD 5 disc unit to use untill I picked up a Denon 2900.
 The Sony, around $250, has been a good unit and the sound it very respectable for the money. I wanted something with SACD to use in my reference test systems but also that could go into my family HT system when I received the Denon. I have not watched any video through this piece yet so cannot comment. One thing I did do was go through the entire unit and apply a heavy damping material throughout the chassis, lid and transport. Yes, this did make a difference.

  Just another option.