Best DVD/CD Player for $300 MAX

Adarsh · « **on:** 9 Feb 2005, 06:24 am »

Hey there

Could someone assist me in purchasing the best DVD/CD player for about $300 max.

Please consider the optical outputs, DAC and transport.

Lastly, is it possible to run remastered (from DVD2One) DVD music without using a monitor such as a TV/LCD?

Thanks,

-A

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 07:51 am »

Eximius' DVD2One Audio Remaster doesn't use any menus at all. Any player that will play a recordable DVD will work just fine without a monitor. In my experience Pioneer players are good with DVD-Rs. My Denon doesn't like them, although some do. I've had poor luck with Philips, Sony & Toshiba players with recordable DVDs. YMMV.

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 11:05 am »

Here's a couple of the latest low price darlings:

Toshiba 4960 (about $125 if you look around)

and it's better looking twin,

Samsung HD-841 (about $200 if you look around)

tweakaudio.com will mod either, but the mods alone are $300

reference audio mods sells a modded 4960 for $325

check out the digital circle above and audio asylum

Carlman · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 01:48 pm »

I've had a couple of Pioneer DVD players and still have the oldest, a DV-444 and they sound as good as most 'audiophile' cd players in the $500+ range. I've heard a Denon sound really good but can't remember the model no.

The Pioneer DVD players are well-constructed and provide excellent sound quality in my experience. They are also popularly modified by Dan Wright and other folks to get them into the true hifi realm.

-C

Adarsh · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 02:32 pm »

Wow! I didn't know that.

Now I can keep my DVD player to myself. I think I'll go for those DVD/SACD types.
I think Pioneer is good.
Any recommendations?

birdwizard · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 02:35 pm »

If you are interested in sound quality and picture quality, I don't think the Phillips 963sa can be beat.

It also plays SACD very well and has a Farouja
video chip, as well as user selectable upsampling and an audio direct mode that turns off the video circuit when playing music.

The CD quality is suprisingly very good, I actually like it better than my old MF X-Ray and my Heart 6000.

Heres a used one for sale, but you might find one new if you poke around. Make sure its one made in Hungary and not Mexico.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homevdeo&1111939701

Adarsh · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 02:47 pm »

I'm more interested in something that will give me the best sound. I plan to use it without a TV, so picture doesn't matter that much, reserve it since I might upgrade later.

-A

Gordy · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Feb 2005, 02:57 pm »

The Samsung is inexpensive! Ecost is selling factory re-manufactured units, delivered, for $115:
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=647088&store=ecost&source=ECOSTDEAL&adcampaign=email,ECOSTDEAL

Circuit City has it new for $150, in store pick-up, if you order through Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001H4BMU/002-2757249-5956823?v=glance&s=electronics

HTH...

Ric Schultz · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 12:26 am »

JLM,
FYI, The Reference Audio Mods site shows a mod to the 3950/3960 players, not the 4960. Maybe they do mod this unit but the website does not show it and Kyle never mentioned to me that they do.

Magic Robert · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 01:07 am »

First, the Philips dvd963sa is an amazingly good DVD player, a good SACD player, and a very good CD player. Its upsampling works quite well - where soem players do not.

If you are looking for just a CD player, the new Onix CD player for $299 is incredible. You can find info at www.av123.com. These guys are importing a player that is the same as the low end Shanling (which is marketed by Roy Hall as the Music Hall CD-25.) This is an amazing little box that can be modded into a truly outstanding player. The Onix player is significantly less than the other two.

BTW, the Philips player is discontinued. There wer quality control issues with it. Some people had problems; mine works flawlessly.

Hope that helps expand your options.

JLM · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 10:26 am »

Thanks Ric, I was working off of my failing memory.

Now what was the second thing to go with old age?

ohenry · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 01:38 pm »

Quote from: Magic Robert

...If you are looking for just a CD player, the new Onix CD player for $299 is incredible. You can find info at www.av123.com. These guys are importing a player that is the same as the low end Shanling (which is marketed by Roy Hall as the Music Hall CD-25.) This is an amazing little box that can be modded into a truly outstanding player ...

Unfortunately, it appears the Onix had a price increase of 33% to $399. It may still be good at that price, but that's quite an increase.

rosconey · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 01:51 pm »

$299 price is for family members-people who have previous purchase's with them

even at 399 its a steal compared to the 5-600 everyone gets for the music hall.

gary · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 01:52 pm »

Go to hometheatertalk.com... av123 is a sponsor of that forum, and members can get the player for the original price of $299. I think all you have to do is mention that site when ordering.

Also if anyone does want to get a Philips 963SA there's a good chance I'll be selling mine in the near future, and for really reasonable price.

Gary

lcrim · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Feb 2005, 08:21 pm »

Recently my Denon 2200 stoped being reliable on CD playback. It still works for all other formats so my first thought was to get a real CD player and keep the Denon around for DVD and SACD (luckily I have a rotary input box that I got over @ Decware that permits 6 ins for 1 out-very transparent.)
I got several recommendations for the NAD C521BEE which can be had new for $240 USD Then I was told it was withdrawn by NAD until early March while the DAC chips are upgraded to the same as those in their higher 541 model. If true that should be a very nice player for under $250.
I may still do that but first I want to give PC based audio a try as the value is supposed to be tremendous.

tl1000sv · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Feb 2005, 02:27 pm »

Costco has the Samsung HD-841 for $100 new, at least in California.

Adarsh · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Feb 2005, 02:29 pm »

Let's stick to Sony or Panasonic.

What is best?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Feb 2005, 04:17 pm »

Well, Adarsh, as I originally stated, if you want your player to play burned DVDs, you might not get good results with Panny or Sony. Or at least you'll have to try some different brands of media to find one they like.