Outstanding sound quality
Great video quality
Component, RGB outputs
Solid as a rock
Remote control works with Linn, Arcam pre-amps
Dimmable/defeatable display
Manual region switching

Region switching also changes component out/RGB
A couple of sound dropouts (dirty discs?)
No onboard DD/DTS decoding
No picture tweaks

I'm a Linn freak. I've lived with a Linn Karik CD/Wakonda pre-amp/AV5105 power-amp system for 6 months, and I'd never go non-Linn. The sound is simply stunning - effortless, energetic, detailed. Even with my low-end Richter speakers, the energy still comes through (proves that speakers are the LEAST important component in a system!) BTW this system kicks arse.

But Linn don't make DVD players. My first DVD player was a Pioneer DV-505 - above average audio-wise, but nowhere near the Karik. As I only use the analog stereo output, I wanted a DVD player with a great audio section to match the Karik. Jim Tate Stereo loaned me a DV88 for the weekend. After a few hook-up foibles (it defaults to RGB not YUV video output, so my Sony TV wouldn't sync) I had it up an running. Its slick charcoal grey front blended in well with the Linn boxes.

The first disk spun was Roy Orbison "Black & White Night". The sound was so revealing - very Arcam, not as effortless as Linn, but outstanding. The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" and Fleetwood Mac "The Dance" came next. I was hearing more notes, more harmonies with the DV88. The energy in these DVDs is amazing, and the DV88 lets that come out.

I spent several hours listening, and kept getting amazed at how good the sound is. It's like rediscovering the songs all over again.

The audio side is way better than anything short of a Linn AV5103 processor. I'd prefer standard DPL through the analog outs of a DV88 to DD 5.1 from an average processor.

Outstanding is the best word to describe it.

Pluses:
* Region switching is done manaully, which is more reliable than Region 0 (it can do that too)
* Remote control also controls Arcam, Linn and RC-5 amps and CDs
* Display is dimmable or defeatable
* Easy setup
* Simple styling
* Plays MP3 CDs (CD-R or CD-RW)
* Upgradable to DVD-Audio (upgrade pending)

Minuses:
* Region switching also switches the component video settings, which must manually be changed in the setup menu. Alternative is to use S-Video
* OSD is utilitarian
* No picture tweaks
* Remote not backlit
* Remote needs to be accurately aimed

I'm yet to try some of the trickier R1/R4 discs with RCE.

VERDICT: if you're serious about sound from DVDs and don't have a top-notch DD/DTS processor (and I mean the level of Lexicon DC-3/Linn AV5103), audition a DV88. You'll be blown away.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer DV-505

All

Are you kidding???

Plain and simply, this thing KICKS A**. Absolutely beautiful sound in DVD and with CD's and the picture quality is almost film like. Awesome.

picture quality, sound quality

remote

this is for the last reviewer:

the sony cant touch this player....period!!, there is no argument whatsoever to make here....period!!

if you are going to compare these two, stick to their common features, of course the sony sounds better, you are probably comparing the cd playback on the arcam to the sacd playback on the sony.

many have done head to head comparisons with these two, including professionals, and the bottom line is this: you probably dont even own the arcam, and you probably work for sony. get your stories straight.

arcam dv88 5 stars
sony 9000es 4 stars (1 for sacd)

Similar Products Used:

lots, including the sony 9000es!!