[jcoat007]

Hello All:

I am in the market for a DVD player that will do double duty as a CD player, either as a transport or on it's own.  This is for use in my combo HT/Two Channel system.  

Here is my equipment:

Odyssey Mono Extreme's
Odyssey HT-3
Odyssey Extreme Tempest w/ HT Bypass
Odyssey Lorelei's and Nemesis
B&W in Ceiling Rears
Marantz SR-19EX Surround Receiver
Samsung 61" DLP
Sumsung HD Receiver
Hughes Tivo Receiver
Playstation 2

DAC is a Perp Tech P1A feeding a Bolder Mensa Di/O.  

I will be running the CD player or Transport/DAC through the Tempest for CD playback and the DVD audio through the Marantz for decoding.  

I am open to buying something used and modding it for use as a transport, or if there is something that is great right out of the box, I would like to hear about that also.

Thanks in advance for the responses.  

Steve

[zane9]

Steve, do you have a price-point in mind? For a product that punches far above its weight in the price/quality equation, have a listen to the Cambridge Audio Azur 540D DVD player. Modest cost, highly musical, and was a big surprise to me as a CDP.

Initial info here:  

http://www.cambridge-audio.co.uk/540d_dvd.html

J.

[jcoat007]

I was thinking top end of $1,000.

[BobC]

I run an Arcam DV-78 ($900) with my Odyssey Audio and Martin Logan setup, and love it.  Does very well in 2 channel, IMHO.

[zane9]

I was thinking top end of $1,000.

The Cambridge DVD player will likely be 40%  of that (in US$).

J.

[Levi]

Hi Steve,

You might want to check Esoteric

This could be the last DVD/CD/SACD/DVD-A player you will ever buy.

Levi

[woodsyi]

Hello Levi,

Where can I get an Esoteric DV50S for $1000.00?

[mr_bill]

Zane 9
Any more comments on the Cambridge Azur 540D DVD player regarding it's performance, where to buy - you have me interested.
Thanks,
Bill

[Levi]

If I find one for that price in good working order...  I am keeping it!

Hello Levi,

Where can I get an Esoteric DV50S for $1000.00?

[jcoat007]

Zane 9
Any more comments on the Cambridge Azur 540D DVD player regarding it's performance, where to buy - you have me interested.
Thanks,
Bill

Try this:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=CAMB540D&product_name=Azur%20540D%20DVD%20Player

[zane9]

Bill, I'm in Canada and I bought it a local authorized dealer. The Cambridge site will give you a list of dealers in your area (by zipcode or postal code, IIRC).

The 540D has less than 15 hours on it, so it may be premature to make too many detailed comments on its performance. However, some intial impressions:

- I have the player connected to a Cambridge Azur 540R a/v receiver: a nice match.

- I'm going directly into a plasma display via component video (not thru the receiver); the audio is going into the receiver via digital-coax.

- There is a comprehensive menu available for settings and tweaks: I made only minor changes to the defaults,

- The remote is not the best I have ever used (not backlight, for example), but highly functional. In fact, I found all features of this player quite intuitive and easily accessed. The manual is well written.

The video performance is just great. No complaints. (Keep in mind, of course, that you need to have your display tweaked to the level where you are happy.) You enable prog. scan with the push of a button on the remote.

The audio performance is equally satisfying. Quite a surprise, given that this is an approx. CAN$400 player. Not enough hours of break-in to make any firm comments. The audio tracks of DVDs I own really came to life with this player. I haven't played enough CDs yet to evaluate performance, but so far I'm impressed.

To me, the fit/finish and performance of this DVD player is truly out of synch with its low cost.

My advice is to try to get one for evaluation at home in your setup. Hopefully a local dealer will loan you his/her demo model  for 24 hours.

By the way, the Cambridge a/v receiver is killer!


Jason

[Dmason]

A friend of mine has a fully broken in Cambridge Azur 540, and it is astoundingly Musical, picture is great, DVD-A in my mind is first class really; I think it is a total giant killer at its price point, an obvious target.

It plays Real Music. Strongly recommended.

[zane9]

DVD-A in my mind is first class really.

My turn for a DVD-A question. Just want to confirm that DVD-A out of the Cambridge 540D requires 3 pairs of analog cables. The manual, while clear on most everything, is not exactly full of details on this issue.

Thanks.

Jason

[mcgsxr]

You are correct Jason, you will need 1 IC per channel, so the 5.1 outputs require a total of 6 IC's into your pre/pro.

Oakville Audio I assume was the vendor?

[zane9]

Hi Mark. Thanks. Actually, the vendor is House of Sounds, on Kerr Street in Oakville. Great shop, and the owner Chris is passionate about audio and music. His choice of products is stellar. A welcome addition to the retail scene here.

Jason

[Chris_B]

How about a Pioneer 563A and have it modified.  That way you get good SACD and DVD-A playback too.

[Songforyou]

I second the Oakville House of Sound.  Nice range of equipment choices.  Nice alternative to Oakville Audio too.

Mark, check it out some time.

[jcoat007]

So here is what I am looking at:

Cambridge Azur 540 ($380 new)
Sony DVP-S9000es (Then having it modded by Empirical) ($1,100 total)
Denon 3910 Unmodded ($1,000)  Modded-Modwright Sig Truth ($2,000)
Cary DVD6 - ($2,000 new) ($1,300 used).
Onkyo DVP-SP1000 ($1,500 New, unmodded)

Remember, I want good video and a good transport for audio.

Thanks

Steve

[JLM]

Think about Reference Audio Mods.  They offer Denon 2900 and 3910 mods for $1000 -3000.  

Another option would be to have Empirical Audio mod a Sony DVP-S7700 CD/DVD player and adding a DAC for around $1000 or higher depending on the mod levels and DAC you pick.  Lots of flexibility, but video performance is probably no longer state of the art.  OTOH audio performance could be very high.