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Review 5 of 11
Price Paid:
$1299.00
from Crutchfield Summary:
I bought this from Crutchfield (wanted full warrenty). It looks to be built well with a solid feel to its construction. I hooked it up through the DVI output to my Sony television and have audio through Denon link (into a Denon 3805 reciever, which acts a surround sound pre-amp feeding an older Audio Research amp for front channels - and the 3805 for surrounds). I also have the two gold analog stereo jacks connected and the analog surround jacks connected. I mostly use the Denon link (you cannot the Denon link with SACD at this time). I have not really compared the various connections much, and they would probably depend upon what you have this unit connected to as a pre-amp, but at this point I prefer the gold analog outs when not playing a surround track.(Does no one do a good copper connection instead of gold though? I wonder if gold plating is the way to go).
The picture from this is outstanding. I have an older Arcam FMJ (that I bought used and is starting to have playing problems) and its picture is better than the Arcam (although the Arcam may still sound better, I haven't compared them directly). Basically deep, rich colors and black level with lots of details. Nor does it show the funny behavior with (particularly red) colors that a Sony DVD player does (chroma noise?). This is a universal player, so it plays DVD-Audio, SACD, CDs, DVDs , picture discs (haven't tried those though) and just about everything else. I would judge the sound as very good, although that wasn't been my primary goal with this player, video was.
I have not noticed the lag in starting with CDs that another reviewer noticed.
However, I have a commercially recorded DVD that plays fine through the Sony but freezes (always in the same spot) on the Denon. The degree seems to vary with the Denon, from a momentary stop to a complete freeze and seems to be worse when the Denons been running a while (heat problems?). I also have a couple of DVDs that I recorded off a tape that have similar problems. Fortunately I've not found this problem to be common and most disc play fine including most DVDs I've recorded myself (and including some that give the Arcam fits. The Arcam has problems with any disc that isn't absolutely perfect. Why do high end players seem to not track as well as cheap players?). But I am going to give the Denon a 4 instead of a 5 overall because of this.
The Denon also includes a firewire output,so you can play an SACD back digitally if your pre-amp accepts this connection and if you're so inclined. It has a formatting button (480p,720p,1080i) for high definition video upconversion through the DVI or HDMI (cables not included, however). I have noticed a slight color shift between the DVI and regular 'yellow' video connections when running through the 3805 reciever (you cannot use the component out when using DVI or HDMI), but I don't know if that is due to the 3805 or not (I haven't connected the DVD player's 'yellow' video jack directly to the Sony TV).
Overall, a great player with excellent picture, including upconversion to high definition, and quality audio that plays nearly everything you can throw at it. Strengths:
Gorgeous picture.
Quality sound.
Upconversion to high definition output.
Plays darn near every format. Weaknesses:
Freezes on a couple of DVDs that a cheaper Sony plays through fine.
The drawer mechanism makes a bit of noise (sounds like vibration). Similar Products Used:
Sony
Arcam
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