In addition to the Denon DVD 5000, I have the Pioneer Elite DVL-91 combi player. Aswith the DVD 5000, I feel I have a good handle on the DVL-91 performance when it is
compared to other DVD, LD or CD player out there.

Unlike my DVD 5000, I use the DVL-91 for laserdisc playback only. I play DVDs and
CDs on the DVD 5000 because of its unmatched quality. Some of the movies I have
viewed since I bought the DVL-91 in November include the Dolby Digital AND DTS
versions of the following moviews: True Lies, Hunt for Red October, River Wild, Jurassic
Park, and Lost World. On the Dolby Digital side only, I must have seen at least 10
others.

The picture this unit produces is better than any other LD I auditioned back in
October/November while hunting for the best LD player I could find. Not only oes it play
DTS movies, you can do great things with the extra features. For example, the fast
forward/reverse functions make it very easy to pinpoint where you want to go.
The sound is excellent too. Again, I have primarily used this player for laserdiscs. I did
one time play a CD on it. It sounds like a top end DVD player. In fact, it gives the
Pioneer Elite flagship DV-09 (I think that's the model #) a good run for its money, though
the DV-09 is just a tad better in video quality. Sound is exactly the same.
I know there are many other options on it but I never use them. I am the basic playback
ff/reverse when necessary kind of viewer.

As stated above, I wanted to have the best LD I could find to go along with the rest of the
theater which already includes the DVD 5000. If there is a better player out there, they
do not sell it in the metropolitan Chicago area. I went to just about every specialty A/V
store around here.

My recommendation is this: if you want the best LD player available and a solid
DVD/CD player, this all in one combi player will do it. If you don't mind shelling out more
money, you should get the Denon DVD 5000 for DVD/CD playback and the DVL-91 for
LD playback. At the price of $1,800 list, you do pay for it. When you total the cost of the
2, including tax, it is over $4,500. To me, it is worth the extra so I can rest easy knowing I
have the best movie source units available. Go for it!

PS -- My next purchase in the next 3-5 months will be the Sony DSS Dolby Digital
satelite.

Overall Rating:

Picture/Video-Audio Flexibilities

Noisy transport

Definitely a better product than DVL-909 which I used to own. It gives users some flexibilities to adjust video pictures and audio volume. My only complaint is very noisy transport, especially when playing laser discs. My chief usage out of this player is primarily for laser discs. Its d/a analog out is better than average from most cd players.

Similar Products Used:

DV-09/DVL-909

great laserdisc and dvd performance, build quality, unit is beautiful,jog and shuttle remote control,DTS compatible

non-illuminated remote, slow search modes in DVD playback

I bought this unit because I have a large laserdisc collection which I am not about to replace and my current Player has seen a lot of hard use. What immediately impressed me was how much better the laserdisc playback was over my CLD-D703, which is no slouch in the performance department itself. The DVD playback was also improved over my Toshiba SD-2108 and even though the dvd search modes seem a little sluggish,the layer change on dual layer discs was much faster. I also like the fact that the player can pass 96kHz signals through the digital outputs without downconverting to 48kHz,My pre-amp accepts 96kHz signals,so this is a big plus for me. The player has been everything I had hoped for and more. I am even considering buying another one while they are still available. Considering that I paid the exact same for this player that I did 6 years ago for my CLD-D703,I consider this player a bargain!

Similar Products Used:

many other laserdics players, 3 other DVD players

Versatility/Style

Noisy transport/No DTS compatible/Lack Video Component outs

Nice looking and style that fits right in with other Elite lines from Pioneer. Primarily used for Laser disc with karaoke functions. Video quality is just average for DVD and above average for LD. The menu is a great one in this machine since it lets you take control from audio to video adjustments to fit your tastes. The output selection is also a big plus which lets you virtually connect to your pre-amp/receiver and TV with all imagineable combinations.
Sound reproduced from its own DAC is just average for the mid to lo-fi cd player.

Similar Products Used:

DVD-909/DV-09/Sony 7700