Price Paid:  $375.00 from Audiogon.com

Summary:
The S7000 is a very popular model to be modded. Unfortunately, either my subsequent buyer or the previous owner B.S. me since I paid over $100 for an so called "modded" unit. The buyer told me the unit just had an additional BNC digital out jack installed, nothing more. I am the loser of course. (sob ... sob ...) So, beware of those expensive "modded" S7000!

Anyway, modded or not, my unit kicked the living daylight out of the much more recent and expensive Theta DaVid transport ($1500 used at that time). It was one of those moment when you are so sure of it, you don't even think to sell the more expensive unit. The music is simply live thru this superb transport, with trememdenous bass what was M.I.A. in the Theta DaVid.

My complaint, however, is this unit is rather dated in terms of mechanics and firmware. It could not read many newer DVDs of the time, and the transport got a little noisy and hestiant during disc read.

A good value at $200 or so but I am not sure if one should pay more unless you get a new laser assembly installed.

Weaknesses:
Could not read the more recent DVDs. Transport got a little noisy and slow due to age.

garyoke

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $349.00 from eBay

Summary:
Everything you've read about this player is true. Had it for 8 years now (1998-2006) and have never regretted the purchase, or desired an upgrade. This thing is a tank.

Strengths:
Incredible picture. Run it through a NEC DLP projector onto a, 86" 16x9 screen - amzingly film like, vibrant colors, deep blacks.

The sound - extraordinary, both for DVDs and CDs, although DVDs obviously sound better. Better than, or equal to sound coming from most contemporary $600-$800 CD players.

Weaknesses:
As noted elsewhere, all settings are lost when and if you power off. Unfortunately, my kids always forget, meaning I have to reset the system for the screen format and AC-3. DTS? Don't miss it.

Similar Products Used:
If you find one that's minty, at a good price, grab it. Visually as good as the top of the line Denon 5900, and sonically superior.

Price Paid:  $315.00 from ebay

Summary:
I got this on ebay. After extensive research I have found that this unit uses the 480i. It will outperform a progressive scan in many ways. It will have a slightly softer picture than the 9000es modle but less combing, single field interpolation and up sampling errors. The colors and hues are from very good to outstanding. This modle was found to outperform the 7700 and the 9000es by hometheater. This unit can be tricked out with cinematrix. There are companies in CA that can upgrade to progressive scan and DTS. But, like I said the 480i will out perform the 9000 & 7700 stock out the box. There are firmwear patches avail. As for what I see: exellent picture and no combing. Has been able to play all of my 150+ dvds execpt 6th sense chapter 18. The luminess is spot on. The picture can be adjusted. If you can get one do so. As for DTS, I don't feel that it is a big deal. I own 150+ dvds. 2 have DTS. I am using this unit with a Monster M1000sv S video cable to a Sony 1080i HDTV. The sound is with a Monster 100 data coax to a parasound digital preamp (avc-1800 series). The sound is the same as my CDP-XA3ES CD player.

Strengths:
Does not exhibit the combing, single field interpolation or chroma upsampling error of progressive scan

Weaknesses:
As a result of 480i, the picture is slightly softer.

Similar Products Used:
Toshiba 2108 also a very good modle

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from atlas stereo&t.v

Summary:
I have had this unit for 4 years . I was considering selling it for a dts unit but I''''m so happy I never did. This player is simply amazing to this date. Picture is stunning and the sound is amazing. I have recently started using it as a transport and the sound is stunning.

Strengths:
picture,sound,build,cosmetics,awesome transport.

Weaknesses:
no dts [this is a very minor flaw]

Similar Products Used:
sony strv555es receiver,cambridge audio dac magic2,stealth fineline mk2 coaxial, oasis3 interconnects[upgrading next month] b&w DM601 S3,psb stratus c5

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Frye's Electronics

Summary:
This first generation player, one model from Sony's flagship 7700 is a great player and if you can find one snap it up. It was so good Sony pulled it after a few months because it did everything the flagship model did and at a considerably cheaper price! I've had absolutlely NO Problems whatsoever with any DVD discs I put in over the 3-4 years of use. It plays CDRs. It'll be a reliable "second" player. It came out before DTS and component video became "standard" for all mid (and now low) priced DVD players. Until I get a HDTV and need a progessive scan player, this unit isn't going anywhere.

Strengths:
Solid consistent and reliable performance, smooth fast forward, plays CDRs

Weaknesses:
No DTS nor componet video outlets