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Review 1 of 2
Price Paid:
$600.00
from AudiocCrafters Summary: First, I'd simply second everything the first reviewer said about the unit, at least where sound quality is concerned. This model was definitely designed with the audiophile in mind, and in comparing it with several units in the four-figure price range I'd say this one more than holds its own. It will play anything you throw at it, with aplomp. The detail, clarity and depth is really quite shocking at first. On Donald Fagan's "Kamakiriad", for instance, not only was the experience one of being in the studio, but I heard things I simply had never heard before regardless of the source. (This was the DVD-A 5.1 surruond version, by the way).
Where I might differ with the first reviewer is regarding the video quality. While it is certainly not the equal of some machines in the same (or sometimes double) its price range, it still provides extremely good video, and I think the difference is relative. I had been using a Denon DVD-1920 for movie viewing prior to getting the Integra, and the difference is pretty marked. Sound quality of video soundtracks is also unnervingly real and apt.
This mdoel has just been discontinued, but there are some left at some dealers and there is ample B-stock, which in the case of Onky/Integra, means it may as well be new. The bottom line is if the music comes first and video must be at least very good, these units are still out there, and now at some pretty good prices. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who isn't dedicated to HDMI (it doesn't offer that). I personally am committed to component video anyway, and couldn't be happier, even having paid nearly full price. Strengths: Build quality, incredibly useful large and visible (from across the room) display, quiet, smooth changer mechanism, ability to hold six discs, ability to change out discs while one is playing, astoundingly good audio, very good video Weaknesses: Video quality isn't the equal of some far more expensive units. Similar Products Used: Onkyo DV-CP802 (essentially the same machine); Denon DVD-1920, Sony DVP-650C
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