Anyone use Panasonic RP-91 for Transport?

dave_c · « **on:** 25 May 2004, 05:49 pm »

Looking for a transport for my 45 and the RP91 looks pretty appealing. It doesn't do SACD, which is a negative, but everything else about it seems pretty good.

I have to admit that I've bitten on the upsampling hype so I'd like to see what its all about. The 45 has "remaster" on it too, but from what I understand its a different implementation from the older upsampling circuits Panasonic used.

Thoughts?

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 May 2004, 05:53 pm »

I have been using my RP91 as a transport for my XR10 receiver for the past few days. This isn't in my main rig but playing around in my bedroom system while I have been studying. It is an OK transport but is dreadfully slow, and for this reason alone I could never really live with it as my main transport.

I haven't tested out the remaster feature. Does it supposedly upsample the digital output?

Marbles · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 May 2004, 06:03 pm »

I've tried my RP91 as a transport in the past and felt it was unsatisfactory in my ref system. It is OK at best...there are much better, but generally you will have to pay a lot more for these.

It only does duty as a DVD-A and DVD-V player now. For that the picture is pretty good and the multi-channel sound is also pretty good through my REF 50 pre/pro, but I am much less critical than for two channel playback.

I did not care for it much as a transport for 2 channel playback.

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 May 2004, 06:05 pm »

Yeah, agree with Rob, analog 2 channel output stinks for this player. Picture is damn good for the money, especially considering it was made years ago now.

dave_c · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 May 2004, 06:49 pm »

Thanks for the info! That's exactly what I needed to hear.

I hope someone outbids me now!

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 May 2004, 07:04 pm »

Picture great, transport not so great.

Keep it in a video system and try and get a Sony S-7700 instead. Better yet, have somebody modified a Sony S-7700.

George

dave_c · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 May 2004, 08:40 pm »

Zybar are you talking about Steve at Empirical Audio? I've contacted him regarding his mods and the 7700 is high on the list. I'm considering sending in my 45 to Steve for mods too. I don't think he's done any yet so I would be somewhat of a guinea pig. It seems like he is well respected here. I'm still not sure though. I like the idea that Wayne's mods are pretty well proven where I would be going out on a limb (okay not too far out) with Steve. Its not so much that the 45 is really expensive, but it was murder finding this one. I doubt I'll see another one for sale anytime soon.

zybar · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 May 2004, 11:26 pm »

dave_c,

My S-7700 was modified by Steve at Empirical and he did a great job!

My buddy Sean (sunshinedawg here on AC) had his Panny modified by Wayne and he loves it! I hope to hear the unit in the next few months when he comes out for a visit.

You probably won't go wrong in either direction.

I tend to be a little conservative so I would probably go with Wayne since he has a few under his belt.

George

dave_c · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 May 2004, 11:53 pm »

Outbid! Whew!

Zybar - thanks for the info. I've read some of the posts regarding your 7700. That's what got me looking at Emperical. I don't mind trailblazing, but these 45's are so hard to come by. The thought of it blowing up during experimenting makes me cringe.

Plus I like the idea of knowing what it would cost before I start. Steve gave me some estimates that are in Wayne's ballpark, but it could still end up costing more. Part of the whole Panny thing is the whole price/performance ratio. All of a sudden the $300 Dac/Pre/Amp ends up being a $1000 Dac/Pre/Amp combo. That's around what my previous Modwright VDA1/VAC1/NAD C 350 combo cost.

Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud.

I still don't know what I'm going to do about a transport. Looks like 7700 took the lead again.
Here are the candidates:

Sony 7700
Denon 2900 (stretching the budget here)
Pioneer 563
Toshiba 4960 when it comes out (Jumpin on the bandwagon!)
Various Sony ES CDP's

Thanks for the advice peepz.

dave_c · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 May 2004, 11:55 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

I have been using my RP91 as a transport for my XR10 receiver for the past few days. This isn't in my main rig but playing around in my bedroom system while I have been studying. It is an OK transport but is dreadfully slow, and for this reason alone I could never really live with it as my main transport.

I haven't tested out the remaster feature. Does it supposedly upsample the digital output?

Yes, it supposedly remasters the digital out. I believe its different from the remaster on the 45. Dont' know if the 10 has remaster.