[Jay S]

I am getting close to ditching my Cary 303 for a universal player, which will act as a transport for my Mensa DI/O for redbook and DVD.  Anybody have experience with these players, particularly the Yamaha (which gets very little press).  

There is a mega thread on www.avsforum.com about the Yamaha and I get the impression that it is the best of the current batch of universal players, better than the Onkyo, better than the Marantz 8300.  

I'd like a universal that does great as a transport.... if one can sound better than Cary when used as a standalone player for redbook... even better!  

And, yes, the $3500 universal that Lexicon just announced is out of the question!  

[MaxCast]

Info on the 2300 has been scarce, let alone trying to get one.  S&V is reported to have said that SACD playback was great but DVD-
A and Redbook were so-so.  That is from a thread at HTF.  I haven't checked the AVS thread in a couple days.

As much as I want the Yamaha to be the player I don't think it is going to happen for me.   The BM is fine but the cutoff is still way to high as far as I am concerned.  100Hz and slow roll off.  I'm not about to stick a $249 ICBM and a $700 smartDIO on a thousand dollar machine.

[JoshK]

Just an FYI, McCormack, known for great performance for the money and great digital gear history is announcing a Universal Player for release in March for $3000 list.  It might street for less after initial debut.

[PeteG]

Another universal player to consider is the Denon 2900.
But not coming out in till june.

[PeteHK]

Hi Jay,

I was looking for the Yamaha player in Mongkok yesterday. I couldn't find one (and I thought I knew where to look!). I did find the latest Pioneer, though - the 858ai. Looks like a very nice machine. Didn't get a chance to test it, but the specs were impressive. Uses 14 bit/108 Mhz DACs for video. I think the audio section is the same as the 747ai. I can't find a link in English, but here's the Japanese link: http://www.pioneer.co.jp/catalog/dvd/dv-s858ai.php
There was also a very nice Onkyo player on display in one of the shops. Didn't get the model number, but the player is based on the Pioneer 747(?) and cost about HK$8,300. The 858ai was about HK$4,500, the 747 about HK$4,100.

A couple of other highlyrated universal players in Japan include the Teac Esoteric DV-50 & Luxman DU-7. Might be worth looking into?

Cheers,

Pete

[Woodsea]

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DPS-8.3&class=dvd&p=i
I saw and heard this one.  Seemed pretty sweet to me.

[Jay S]

I was looking for the Yamaha player in Mongkok yesterday. I couldn't find one (and I thought I knew where to look!). I did find the latest Pioneer, though - the 858ai. Looks like a very nice machine. Didn't get a chance to test it, but the specs were impressive. Uses 14 bit/108 Mhz DACs for video. I think the audio section is the same as the 747ai. I can't find a link in English, but here's the Japanese link: http://www.pioneer.co.jp/catalog/dvd/dv-s858ai.php
There was also a very nice Onkyo player on display in one of the shops. Didn't get the model number, but the player is based on the Pioneer 747(?) and cost about HK$8,300. The 858ai was about HK$4,500, the 747 about HK$4,100.

A couple of other highlyrated universal players in Japan include the Teac Esoteric DV-50 & Luxman DU-7. Might be worth looking into?

Cheers,

Pete

Pete,

Thanks - I was going to look around Mongkok on Friday but looks like the Yamaha isn't out here yet.  I had done a bit of checking around in Times Square (not the best, but convenient for me).  I had also seen the Pioneer 655Ai, which seemed to have the same case as the Pioneer 45A.  I didn't think I saw the 858Ai - that would be great if it has the same (or better) audio section as the 47Ai but with better video.  Ric Schulz of www.tweakaudio.com is very positive on the Pioneer universals, and the price you found in Mongkok for the 858Ai is quite appealing!  It would be great if someone could open up these players and peek inside.  If they have the Burr Brown dacs then I'd be pretty satisfied they are similar to the U.S. models that have been spoken of so positively.  

Glad to see that you are still in HK.  If you'd like to join some of our audio get togethers, drop me a PM.  We had a fun time comparing DACs, ICs and speaker cables a couple of weekends ago (sort of a last minute get together, but fun).  Do you still have your nOrh speakers?  

Cheers,

- Jay