[jqp]

The the $2,200 Pioneer Elite BDP-09FD

http://gizmodo.com/5040707/pioneer-sneaks-out-2200-elite-bdp+09fd-first-blu+ray-player-that-crushes-the-ps3

[ted_b]

Not sure why it beats the PS3.  It's not as fast loading, doesn't play games.  It's engineering is spent on vibration control (good stuff but not the top of my Blu_Ray list) and dedicated DACs for the 7.1 analog outs.  Yet, where do the 7.1 analog outs connect to?  For a Blu-Ray player they connect to the analog ins of a processor.....so the analog stage of the processor is the weak link anyway, and most TrueHD/DTS HD MA capable processors have their money spent in the digital HDMI side, not in the analog side.  (Yes, you could use older non-HDMI processors, but then you need video switchers, etc.)  Most BD owners would connect in via HDMI, making the 7.1 analog DAC investment moot.  And it's not like this $2200 machine also does SACD and DVD-A (so that analog stage and those eight dedicated DACs can work hard at something other than TrueHD or DTS-HD-MA)...it doesn't.  Some of the demographic of the $2200 BD player owner would possibly be someone who also has a higher end HT that plays hirez music (SACD/DVD-A).  Their processor's mch analog ins are likely taken up by a good universal player anyway.  Net/net, not sure why one would spend this $$ on a BD player only.  My $.02

[rydenfan]

I agree this player is quite expensive; however, people that are learly of apopting HDMI may really enjoy this piece. Owners of pieces like the Proceed AVP2+6 may have a home for this piece?

What excites me is that this seems to be the sturdiest transport yet. What I desire is a true universal player, including Blu-Ray, from Esoteric. That would be an awesome piece. In the past Esoteric has used discrete components from Pioneer players. The HD DVD war had forced the BD camp to focus on cheapening the quality of the parts and to create low cost integrated and flimsy BD component parts. As of the last CES Esoteric did not feel the quality, precision and robustness of the key componentry was up to par to be incorporated in an Esoteric product. From the looks of it there will be some meaty discrete BD parts in this player to be oem'd to Esoteric.