I have 2 Pioneer DVD players. The first I bought as a DVD player to replace a VCR and the second I had modded by Dan Wright as a transport. Both have been reliable, the first has been trouble free for 3 or 4 years including moves, temperature changes, rough handling, etc.
The other is only about a year old and has also had no problems. knock, knock.. I couldn't justify spending more than a couple hundred on a $150 player so, I got the level 1 and a bybee on the digital out. It sounds as good or better than anything I've compared it to... It was far superior to an Arcam Alpha 8, another older but more expensive Arcam, held its own with a Musical Fidelity and a Sony DVD player that is often touted as very good... the 777 or something.
I'd like to get a solid, well-built unit that's going to last a long time and often think my DVD players are time bombs. However, I've started thinking... I'll have money by the time it breaks and I'll buy the latest thing at the time. However, I won't spend more than $500 on it total.
You have no more guarantee that a Cambridge or other conventional transport will outlast a DVD player. I've seen the internal components of electronics get cheaper and cheaper over the years. I think they've got the art of digital extraction down to a very efficient science. From what I've seen, cd/dvd players have very similar internal electronics in the $40-$1000 range.
I saw a DVD player at Target made in China for $30. I would bet anything that the same mods done on the Toshiba 3950 would net similar results. What if it lasts 5 years? You've invested less than $100 for something that will sound as good as anything up to 1000. You just have to know what you're doing.... and replace the parts that are cheap.
So, while I don't recommend a stock cheap DVD player, a modified unit done at a reasonable price may surprise you as it has me. I would've never believed it.
