Good universal player to replace a Wadia 850

matix · « **on:** 20 Aug 2005, 05:05 am »

Hi. I have been a 2 channel guy and recently just set up a HT system with a 92" PJ screen. Watching an opera... I can't help but be overwhelmed by what HT can do. Attempting to integrate my 2 channel system into the HT, I am contemplating replacing my beloved Wadia 850 to a universal player, but worried about drastic drop in SQ when playing 2 channel. Just wondering with recent leaps and bounds in technology, will a top of the range Denon 5900 be a good candidate

Feisal K · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 04:20 pm »

I've read a lot of recommendations for the Linn Unidisk 1.1 being the best universal player for sonics.

dunno how muchyour Wadia costs, but it's probably in the same range?

http://www.dvd-a.dk/?page=P25

XMarine · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 06:13 pm »

Quote from: matix

Hi. I have been a 2 channel guy and recently just set up a HT system with a 92" PJ screen. Watching an opera... I can't help but be overwhelmed by what HT can do. Attempting to integrate my 2 channel system into the HT, I am contemplating replacing my beloved Wadia 850 to a universal player, but worried about drastic drop in SQ when playing 2 channel. Just wondering with recent leaps and bounds in technology, will a top of the range Denon 5900 be a good candidate

Haven't heard the Linn but the Sim Audio Moon Orbiter is an outstanding musical universal player. There's a review in this Domain I wrote for it. It would be worth your time to hear it. It will blow all the Denon's away except for the highly modded ones.

www.simaudio.com

Jon L · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Aug 2005, 09:13 pm »

Quote from: matix

Hi. I have been a 2 channel guy and recently just set up a HT system with a 92" PJ screen. Watching an opera... I can't help but be overwhelmed by what HT can do. Attempting to integrate my 2 channel system into the HT, I am contemplating replacing my beloved Wadia 850 to a universal player, but worried about drastic drop in SQ when playing 2 channel. Just wondering with recent leaps and bounds in technology, will a top of the range Denon 5900 be a good candidate

If I were you, I would keep the 850 for 2-channel playback and just buy a good DVD player that has decent digital output to feed the receiver's DAC. Nowadays, there are cheap DVD players that has stunning picture quality with 1080i DVI/HDMI output, and you'll use the digital audio output to receiver anyways for 5.1, DTS, etc anyway.

Heck, I would take this opportunity to send the Wadia 850 to Great Northern Sound for their famous mods..

matix · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Aug 2005, 05:13 am »

Quote from: Jon L

If I were you, I would keep the 850 for 2-channel playback and just buy a good DVD player that has decent digital output to feed the receiver's DAC. Nowadays, there are cheap DVD players that has stunning picture quality with 1080i DVI/HDMI output, and you'll use the digital audio output to receiver anyways for 5.1, DTS, etc anyway.
..

This is what I am doing at the moment. But I am keen to upgrade the sound when playing HT to the Wadia level. Imagine watching an opera with such sound quality. I am not concerned with the picture at all though.... just as long as it is there to enhance the musical enjoyment.

matix · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Aug 2005, 05:28 am »

Quote from: Feisal K

I've read a lot of recommendations for the Linn Unidisk 1.1 being the best universal player for sonics.

dunno how muchyour Wadia costs, but it's probably in the same range?

http://www.dvd-a.dk/?page=P25

That is a very good link! Thanks. However, it shows that I can only afford the top range Denon players if I trade in the Wadia.

Feisal K · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Aug 2005, 10:02 am »

Quote from: matix

...it shows that I can only afford the top range Denon players if I trade in the Wadia.

That seems such a waste. How about keeping the Wadia for 2-ch duties and get a midrange universal player like the Denon 2200 or even lower range Yamaha 1500. I'd say Yamaha 2500 but i'm not sure anyone's actually seen one...

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Aug 2005, 06:38 pm »

Quote from: Feisal K

Quote from: matix

...it shows that I can only afford the top range Denon players if I trade in the Wadia.

That seems such a waste. How about keeping the Wadia for 2-ch duties and get a midrange universal player like the Denon 2200 or even lower range Yamaha 1500. I'd say Yamaha 2500 but i'm not sure anyone's actually seen one...

A used Denon 2900 might be a good option, also.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Aug 2005, 09:44 pm »

A RAM modded Marantz 8260. Will come just below $2500. Not bad for a world class universal transport.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Aug 2005, 10:00 pm »

Hi Paul,

How does the sound of the RAM compare to your 47 Labs transport?

Michael

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Aug 2005, 10:07 pm »

Mike, I am waiting to have the Ramed Samsung transport in my place within one week or two, but by the review of some other people I have heard, the sonic info retrieval capabilities of RAMed transports are rather amazing.

I will decided whether a RAM treatment is on call for my DAC section only.

I once used to think that the transport end was not much to be tweaked with, that the DAC section was supreme, but according to the RAM crew, the process begins at the transport and it is enhanced with the DAC section.

I am curious myself to hear what is so great about it.

The only element that might get some treatment at this point in time is the digital section of my stereo, but then, I might be completely happy with what I currently have.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Aug 2005, 10:07 pm »

Mike, I am waiting to have the Ramed Samsung transport in my place within one week or two, but by the review of some other people I have heard, the sonic info retrieval capabilities of RAMed transports are rather amazing.

I will decided whether a RAM treatment is on call for my DAC section only.

I once used to think that the transport end was not much to be tweaked with, that the DAC section was supreme, but according to the RAM crew, the process begins at the transport and it is enhanced with the DAC section.

I am curious myself to hear what is so great about it.

The only element that might get some treatment at this point in time is the digital section of my stereo, but then, I might be completely happy with what I currently have.

Ears · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 Aug 2005, 04:07 pm »

I would reccomend the Onkyo SP1000 over the 5900...and yes I compared them.
The Onkyo has a better build, smoother transport.....makes a better transport, has a superior picture via hdmi upconversion...or component, and offers sonics that are far superior to the 5900 on every format.

Its also been compared by Area dvd out of Germany as well as privately as having better sonics than the Denon 5910.

Will it equal your current redbook......probably not....but it is a very musical player on all formats.

I had a RAM 963sa and a Modwright 9000 es with all options including bybees and Jensen ps caps which was the equal of the Onkyo for redbook and sa-cd....but the Onkyo has dvd -a as well as a far superior picture and build quality....so I sold the others.

Ears · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 Aug 2005, 05:22 pm »

Keep in mind that in Europe and elswhere in the world....the SP1000 sells for 5k or more in U.S. dollars.
Here its available from 1450.00 - 2k.

What Hi Fi Oct/04
Merdian G98 5 stars
Onkyo SP 1000 5 stars
Estoeric DV-50 4 stars.

They said the Merdian was slightly more musical of the group...but that overall...the Onkyo was the "Real Star"

Players such as the Pioneer 59avi and Denon 3910 were included in this comparison and deemed lower tier players.

matix · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Sep 2005, 07:13 am »

Quote from: Ears

Keep in mind that in Europe and elswhere in the world....the SP1000 sells for 5k or more in U.S. dollars.
Here its available from 1450.00 - 2k.

What Hi Fi Oct/04
Merdian G98 5 stars
Onkyo SP 1000 5 stars
Estoeric DV-50 4 stars.

They said the Merdian was slightly more musical of the group...but that overall...the Onkyo was the "Real Star"

Players such as the Pioneer 59avi and Denon 3910 were included in this comparison and deemed lower tier players.

I am surprised at the Onkyo. Have never consider Onkyo at all... Hm.. rated higher than the DV-50. Think it will be impossible to have a side by side listen.

budyog · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Sep 2005, 03:21 pm »

I orderd the Onkyo 1000 and it should be in my possession TODAY! I can't waite.

Ears · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Oct 2005, 12:52 am »

Quote from: matix

I am surprised at the Onkyo. Have never consider Onkyo at all... Hm.. rated higher than the DV-50. Think it will be impossible to have a side by side listen.

Never owned an Onkyo before either and this universal has a stout build...the smoothest dvd based transport I have ever seen, and a well laid out aluminum clad remote.
It would probably be hard to find a b&m that sold both the Onkyo and the DV-50 to compare directley but you could order one from Vanns,Crutchfield ect and compare to your current gear for audio with a full 30 day return policy.

As far as video...I compared the Denon 5900 as well as 3910 and neither are quite as good for video and definitely less musical for audio.
It must be the Transformer based ps and the Wolfson dacs...same as used in the top Accuphase sa-cd/cd player that make the Onkyo sound better in every way.

IMO ...the Denons all require pro mods for audio...the SP1000 does not.

The Denon 5910 is the only current player in the world that would be slightly better for video....but it does not match the Onkyo for audio and cost 3.5k I beleive.
I had several qc issues with both Denons and none with the Onkyo to boot.

Ears · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Oct 2005, 12:57 am »

Quote from: budyog

I orderd the Onkyo 1000 and it should be in my possession TODAY! I can't waite.

Looking forward to your thoughts on what I consider the bargain in universal players.

IMO...sa-cd playback is the best as far as audio goes...but the redbook and dvd-a playback are no slouches either.

ted_b · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Oct 2005, 01:11 am »

I'd talk to Dan Wright about a Modwright-modded Denon 3910. His mods actually improve the video due to better power supplies and Bybee ac filtering, etc. The audio side is, well, incredible.

Eric5676 · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Oct 2005, 01:16 am »

I'm with Ears all the way on this.

Before the 1000, I viewed Onkyo as strictly a really good AUDIO company, nothing more. And to be frank and honest, most of their DVD players even now are just a bit better than average, but not stellar.

Until we come to the Onkyo 1000. This thing shocked me. I knew going in audio would be superb. AreaDVD out of Germany even rated this unit's audio ahead of the $3500 Denon 5910, so that should give you a smidgen of an idea going in what you're dealing with.

Video? Unless you're REALLY splitting hairs and have money to blow on a Denon 5910, most people will tell you that, no, the Denon 5910 does NOT have any kind of significant improvement in PQ over the Onkyo 1000.

Personally, for $3500, I better have custom resolutions and a few others bells and whistles that the Denon 5910 doesn't have. For $3500, I can buy an Onkyo 1000 or Pioneer 59 on sale somewhere and SDI mod those pups and attach them to a dedicated external video processor.

The bottom line to it is: The Onkyo 1000 and Integra 10.5 are the kings of AT LEAST the <$2500 tier, if not higher.

You'd really have to spend an insane amount of money to find APPRECIABLY superior video or audio over the Onkyo 1000/Integra 10.5.

It's hard to use the word "bargain" when you're talking about spending this kind of money, but when I see authorized dealers like Vanns.com repeating their sale that I took advantage of a year ago, and selling this beast at below $1500 (Not sure if this is still going on, but it was last week)...friends, <$1500 for the Onkyo 1000 is nearly a steal.