The Dark mode really brings out the black color with supurb video reproduction. Audio CD sound quality is unmatch in the price range.

combersome remote control unit

This is one of the best DVD players I have seen in the THX rating catagory for the price.

I must say that this is the best DVD experience yet. Just upgraded from the 606s pioneer model. This kicks it hands down

Sometime disc search is a bit slow compared to other models tried

As I stated earlier, I think that this product is the greatest. I have not experienced any of the altercations that other buyers seem to have. Thanks to Pioneer for keeping us in great products

Similar Products Used:

Sony 5500, pioneer 606s

SYSTEM:
Yamaha DSP-A1 integrated amp
B&W CDM1-SE speakers
Camelot "Black" speaker wire
Totem inter-connects

Read every review out there and it came down to two players: the DV-05 and Sony's 7700. Both feature dual lasers optimized for both DVD and CD, an absolute minimum requirement for decent sound reproduction. In fact, one recent UK review face-off rated Denon's 5000 (a single laser design) a one out of five for sound quality, with the 7700 and a Pioneer DV-717 (dual lasers) scoring highest: 3 out of 5. (High-end stand-alone CD players are still recommended.)

Took both players home for a week each. The Sony had gobs of detail on all discs (DVD, 96/24 CDs, 44.1 kHz CDs) but at the expense of digital "glare". This was most evident on strings, sounding shrill and edgy. I couldn't bare to listen more than a few minutes. However, the video quality, remote, and 32-bit processor-controlled special effects were superb.

The DV-05 sound was magical in comparison, though slightly less detailed. It is a warm musical sound that captures all the nuances of well-done recordings, and I listened enraptured for several hours straight. (I don't get out much) And I'm talking regular 44.1 kHz CDs here. DVDs also sounded sweet.

The remote and special effects don't measure up to the Sony's, but the video quality is definitely on par, if not better. Also, the DV-05 will pass a 96 kHz signal thru its digital output if the disc is not copywrite-protected, which the Sony can't do. So for even sweeter sound, try a 96/24 DAC. My assessments were all conducted via the analog outputs.

So on my overly-analytical system the DV-05 rules, but if your system is more on the warm side you may prefer the Sony (but I doubt it). Incidentally, September's Stereophile Guide to Home Theatre also rates the DV-05 over the 7700 for sound quality, although June's Audio Mag just raves about the Sony.
Audio Ideas Guide, volume 18, #3 also rated the too-expensive DV-09's sound higher than that of a Linn Classik and Arcam Alpha 9, and I'd imagine the DV-05 comes pretty close to the 09.

At $500 Cdn cheaper than the Sony it's a no-brainer: BUY ONE and BE HAPPY!

This is an update to my last post - the DV-05 has been back from the shop for about 2 months now. I have to say I am completely happy with its performance now. Turns out the shop had to replace the entire system board ($400 touch - good thing it was under warrantee).
Too bad I had the original troubles (I obviously had a bad unit) but now that there are new components inside the video/audio qualities are superb!!

Picture,sound and futures

Nothing

This DVD turned my proscan TV 52 inc.(6 years old)almost like HDTV.It is amazing how much difference this DVD made on Picture quality and the sound.It is like day and night.I'm always a fan Pioneer Elite and I'm right so.This unit has a lot of futures you can set up as you like(Sound,picture, screen vs. vs.)
I don't think anyone here using this DV-05 can complain about anything for this great product (Unless they got damaged item)
trust me and get this DVD if you can find anymore.
P.S.I didn't here anything from DVD like noisy and yes it is very light.So what?Heavy means better?Just look at the picture and sound quality THX certified,and who cares it is only 6-7 pounds.
I don't get it!!!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer 414,Panasonic

This DVD player is awsome! It's THX certified(not that important to me) and has component outputs for upcoming digital tv. It's not quite as good as its big brother, the DV-09($2000), but for features its great. Usually Pioneer products are mediocre, but ever since they introduced the ELITE line, everthing has been great. Sure this DVD player is a little expensive, but it's worth it.

Pioneer has once again shown its excellence in producing outstanding video products. From the outstanding hardware to the unusually robust picture this unit is quite impressive. Highly recommended.

MY VERY FIRST DVD PLAYER WAS THE SONY DVPS500. GREAT DVD PLAYER JUST NOT EQUIPPED FOR DTS. I THEN PURCHASED THE PANASONIC A110. AGAIN ANOTHER GREAT DVD PLAYER. BUT I THEN FOLLOWED UP ON SOME OF REVIEWS. I KNEW THERE WAS STILL BETTER DVD PLAYERS OUT THERE. SO I DID QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THEN AND FOR THE PRICE RANGE THE ELITE PIONEERDV-05 WAS THE ONE I WAS LOOKING FOR. THX CERTIFED, GOLD PLATED JACKS ON THE BACK, COMPONENT OUT. SOME OF THE FEATURES I WAS LOOKING FOR. NOT TO MENTION IT IS VERY CLASSY LOOKING. A NICE GLOSS BLACK FINISH. NOT BRUSHED FACE ALUMINUM. SO I HOOKED EVERYTHING UP. THE COLOUR IN THE MOVIES WAS AMAZING. THE SOUND WAS ALSO VERY SHARP. I LOOKED
AT THE DV-09 AND BESIDES THE PRICE TAG, POWER SUPPLIES USED INSIDE, AND COPPER PLATED CHASSIS, THE DV-05 WAS A LITTLE NOISIER, BUT THIS DVD PLAYER WON HANDS DOWN IN EVERY CATEGORY. EVEN THE REMOTE LOOKS GREAT EQIPPED WITH A JOG SHUTTLE REMOTE. OVERALL THE PLAYER I WAS VERY PLEASED.

This is a great unit - the picture is sharp, the outputs are numerous and will allow you to use this unit in more ways than you could think. The picture is awesome (take a guess I like the picture) the audio is first rate - you won't go wrong with this unit.

Sorry for posting a question!!! ! Has anyone heard this head to head with other comparable models such as Sony 7700??? Thanks