Ed Huber4339

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I purchased this player for it's audio playback 24 bits. I was delighted with its playback of regular cd's because this player has an excellent upconverter.The sound is extremely detailed and transparent. Bass is very dynamic and powerfully deep with excellent pace. The real fun starts when a DVDaudio disc is played.The sound is stunning. 24/96 discreet digital sound is played with a large soundstage with precision placement of the musicians within the soundstage.When I played a 24/192 disc the sound improved to a level that is so open with bass depth so powerful that I was suprised with the performance of my system. This sets a new level of listening pleasure. The only unit to compare this to is the California Audio Labs new multiplayer and of course the Linn.

Strengths:
Sound Sound& more Sound. Excellent DVD performance. Excellent build quality.

Weaknesses:
You need a television hooked up in order to configure DVD Audio playback, The remote is a little cheezey compared to the unit itself. The worst point is the auto shutoff feature

Similar Products Used:
HHB cd recorder,PS Audio electronics Vandersteen signature 2's Sunfire True Sub

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Good Guys Demo

Summary:
Hi all, I've posted a review on this product quite awhile ago. My transport noise issue was there for awhile and then it went away and I thought all was right with the world, but since then the transport noise has returned on many disks. Thanks to other reviewers for posting the part number for the damper kit. I Ordered it from company called Partsolver on line and after a short back order wait, I received it and decided to install it myself since it came with instructions. Upon opening the cover, I realized what a well built unit this really is. The chassis is all copper plated, the power supply is shielded copper plate, the circuit board layout and is very clean and neat. After some tense moments with the whole laser pickup assembly in my hands, the dampers were installed and now so far there is no further noise. It appears that the new dampers are stiffer than the old ones and that seems to keep the pickup assembly in check a little more. The concern I have is that the rubber dampers might break down over time and allow increased vibration again (I might order another kit to keep on hand). The vibration seems to come from the top half of the disk clamp vibrating against its holder. This vibration appears to be severe enough to be transmitted throughout the case, and the sound is amplified by the metal panels. With the new dampers, there is still vibration (you can see the clamp wobbling a little as a disk plays) but they are stiff enough to prevent physical contact between the two surfaces. I'm very happy now with the sonic performance of this unit as long as the transport problem is resolved. The CD sound is very, very good and I think it deserves it's Stereophile class A rating. I'm less of a videophile so as far as video performance, it looks good enough for me on my Sony Grand Wega III. On this larger screen, I do notice some jagged edges and such on DVD's but I'm not sure if the Toshiba is causing it or not; in any event, it's not very bad at all.

Strengths:
Sound, Sound, sound. Outstanding overall build quality (this ain't no cheap 6 pound lightweight). Good 2 channel DVD-A sound. For me, these positives outweigh the negatives listed below.

Weaknesses:
The transport noise issues, cheap remote for this level of a product, does not seem to respond well to some remote commands such as when trying to replay a DVD chapter. You might have to hit the previous chapter button quite a few times to get where you want to be. The auto turn off after 20 minutes or so.

Price Paid:  $280.00 from eBay

Summary:
This DVD player is one of the best. The build quality is astounding. The picture quality is amazing, everything about it is impressive from the simplicity of the front panel to the DVD tongue tray that slides out of the dropdown door. I have noticed a strong improvement in sound reproduction as well. An example disk is Monsters Inc (when boo laughs and the lights explode and the LFE goes through the roof). On my previous player (sony) that scene would always sound very muddy. With the Toshiba, the base is clean and just makes you wanna turn it up even louder. Although this is a older, more expensive player, it is well worth the investment to hunt one down, you won't be disappointed. I have read that this player has the chroma bug, but it's very hard for me to tell.

Strengths:
picture quality, on screen menus, remote, sound quality, build quality

Weaknesses:
viewing widescreen DVDs on a 4:3 TV causes artifacts on detailed moving objects such as house roofs, water, etc. Is easily corrected in the setup menu. Takes awhile to startup after you hit power. Some DVDs get stuck before reaching the main menu, just stop then hit play and is fine. Seems to happen on Dreamworks DVDs.

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Yamaha, Parasound

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Onecall

Summary:
Toshiba 9200 dvd player. Progressive scan output. DVD-Audio Player (I've never used it).

Strengths:
Great picture.

Weaknesses:
I am using it with a Sony KP-53XBR300 TV. On a lot of DVD's I notice "streaking" lines, coming from a moving object on the screen all the way to the right of the picture. Some of these lines can be very thick. It usually only lastes for a few frames, but will happen through-out the whole movie. And of course, the noisy transport which I never had fixed, but should have. Plan on upgrading to a Denon-2900, if the reviews are favorable in http://hometheaterhifi.com/main.html

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Local Hi-Fi store

Summary:
This is the second toshiba DVD player I've owned (1st one - SD-3107). I am very impressed with the build quality, fit and finish of this unit. The main reason I wanted this player was for the DVD audio playback feature that it offered, and needless to say I'm very satisfied with the the sound quality. So far, I have not experienced any problems (nor did I with my other toshiba DVD player) and don't expect any. The picture quality is stunning and audio is the same. If you can find one I would not hesitate to buy.

Strengths:
Build Quality, fit and finish, Audio and Video playback.

Weaknesses:
None noted

Similar Products Used:
Toshiba SD-3107