Versatility Audio Quality Bass Management Value

Really cheesy remote that should have more power and be backlit. My multi component and the remote for the Elite 41 both run the 45a better than the one supplied.

After a lenghty search for a good unit that would play both SACD and SA, I came across the 45a and demo'ed it at the shop. It had everything I was looking for and at a price that couldn't be beat. I had recently upgraded my receiver to an Elite VX-41 and the 45a seemed the perfect fit and it is. It took about a week of tweaking and learning the ropes of the bass management to turn this little gem into a dream come true. I'm running a pair of Klipsch towers, Klipsh center and satellites, 2 Klipsch subwoofers, and a pair of small KLH rears. I pigtailed the satellite output from the 45a for the side and rear inputs on the Elite 41. I also ran the subwoofer out on the Elite 41 to an equalizer with the output from it going to the inputs on the subs giving me greater control of the bass. With all of the speakers set at large on both the 45a and the receiver, the bass is incredible. I also have a Paradigm x-30 subwoofer control on order to further enhance the subwoofers. You probably guessed by now that I like a solid bass line. Don't need an Outlaw ICBM with this setup! Anyway, I love the clean and complete sound I get from almost all SACDs and DVD-As in my collection. Some have it all, some however don't. Favorite in my collection is Headhunters from Herbie Hancock. It's been one of my favorites since I bought it on vinyl in the 70's, and the multi-channel release is, IMO, without equal. I've learned to read packaging carefully to avoid non-multi-channel SACDs. The video is excellent in both interlaced and progressive on my 51 inch big screen and the widescreen aspect matches up great. I'm very happy with the features, quality, and value of the 45a.

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Also demo'ed Sony

DVD-Audio/Video and SACD playback Excellent video performance Inexpensive

Precision demanding remote. Light weight unit. Although it performs like a tank, it doesn't feel like one. Bass Management can be tricky to achieve.

I'd like to start off stating I don't think you can find a better bang-for-the-buck option than this unit. I bought this unit solely for the fact it could handle both DVD-Audio and SACD, and it does so magnificently. The DVD-Audio performance exceeded my previous DVD-Audio player considerably. The sound stage was greater, it was noticibly clearer, and had more depth and range than I had heard before. SACD performace is just as good. If you haven't experienced these new high resolution formats yet, you are truely missing out. Dark Side of the Moon on SACD and Rumours on DVD-Audio are must own titles for anyone that has the ability to play them back. It took me a few days to find an acceptable bass management configuration to accomodate my room. But, I was able to produce spectacular results without the need to purchase a separate bass management component. However, I do need to adjust the output level on my subwoofer when switching between the analog and digital connections, which doesn't bother me. Also, one could easily use the analog connections for both music and movies using the same bass management configuration. Movie soundtracks from the analog connections are really good, but you get more punch when using a digital connection. With that said, I also got greater punch from the unit using the coax connection over optical. But no matter how you connect it, movie soundtracks through this unit are awesome. Although I've had credible DVD players for over 4 years, I still find myself surprised by the sound coming from the Pioneer. I immediately re-watched many of my favorite movies after purchasing the 45A and watched them as if I had never seen them before. Standard CD playback is good, but not jaw dropping. I own an exceptional Marantz CD player that outperforms this unit, and costs more for that matter. However, there is no comparison when listening to an original CD through the Marantz vs. a DVD-Audio or SACD counterpart through the Pioneer. The new formats have always come out of top. Pioneer has received critical praise for the Video performance of many of their DVD-Players, and this is no exception. The picture comes alive and color reproduction is fanstastic. Simply a solid performer. My only real complaint was with the remote. It, or at least mine, required precise aim towards the unit in order to function. The problem didn't occur when using my Home Theater Master universal remote, so I simply programmed everything I needed into the HTM and problem resolved. I will only upgrade from this unit when direct digital connections for all formats become standardized ( so perhaps never ). Equipment Used: Yamaha RX-V1300 Receiver Paradigm Studio Series Speakers Paradigm PDR subwoofer Toshiba Cinema Series Television Marantz CD Player Home Theater Master Remote

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Panasonic DVD-A7 Toshiba SD 1200 and SD3109 Sony DVP-S330

VIDEO,SOUND,

IT IS NOT PERFECT PRODUCT BUT I WILL STRONGLY RECOMEND TO TEST IT!!!

I HAVE HAVE TO SHARE MY OPINION ABOUT DVD 45A.MY COMPARISON WILL BE BASED ON DVD RP82. 1 I THINK THAT DV45A IS A GOD PRODUCT IN ALL ASPECTS. VIDEO OF DVD 45A IS VERY GOOD(CALIBRATED WITH AVIA DISC)PICTURE IS SHARP, DEFINED, BLACK LEVEL IS SOLID. VERY GOOD CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE.( YOU HAVE TO CALIBRATE THE PICURE OTHERWISE PRODUCT OUT OF THE BOX WILL NOT YELD THE BEST RESOULT)I SPEND FEW EVENINGS JUST TESTING VARIOUS MOVIES WHICH I ALREADY HAVE SEEN ON RP 82(PANASONIC STOP WARKING AFTER 6 MONTHS IT CANT BE FIXED) RESOULTS WARE ABSOLUTLY AMAZING-YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND I WAS SO SCEPTICAL AFTER READING DVD BENCHMARK-PIONERR IS A GREAT PEACE OF EQUIPMENT I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PICTURE. SOME OLD DVD LIKE THE ROCK LOOKS BETTER ON PIONEER THAN RP82. AS FORE FAMOUS CHROMA BUG I CAN SEE ATHING I TESTED TOY STORY GREAT PICTURE WITH GREAT COLOR REPRODUCTION(I SECIFICLY WAS LOOKING ON THE TOY STORY MENU AS BENCHMARK POINTED. I TESTED MONSTERS INC STICKING MY HEAD ONE INCH FROM THE SCREEN ONCE AGAIN NOTHING. I MUST AGREE THAT REDS LOOK LITTLE OVERENCHANCED BUT I DID MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS CONNECTED TO FREQUENCY RESPONSE NOT CHROMA BUG. ANYWAY IF YOU CALIBRATE AND REDUCE A BIT CHROMA LEVEL PICTURE IS FANTASTIC.DVD AUDIO SOUND GREAT AS WELL AS SACD( CANT COMPARE BUT SOUNDS GREAT)I WOULD RECOMEND TO EVERYBODY TO READ BRITISH REVIEWS OF DVD 656A( US EQUIVALENT OF DV 45A)DVD 656A WAS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO HIFI CHOICE. VISIT PIONEER.CO.UK GOOD LUCK

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DVD RP82

Good all around unit.Video quality bette than expected.

Bass managment on multichanel music.Easily fixed with addition of Outlaw ICBM.

This is my first SACD,DVD-Audio player so I have nothing to compare it to in that regard.As far as video performance it's better than the Toshiba SD-3109 I have and about the same as my Panasonic RP-62.I didn't buy it for video it was puchased more for it's multidisc capability and has not disappointed in any respect.The fact that it does better than expected on video is a bonus as far as I'm concerned

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None

Clear and accurate audio.

Just purchased the DV-45a and I am very happy with it. The DVD quality is very good and clean. The audio is very strong, however this is my first SACD / DVD-audio player so I am not going to compare it to other players. That being said, however, the player brings out all the weaknesses in a recording, which for me is a strenght. Hearing the contact of a violin string to the bow, or the creek from a chair in an orchestra, or clearly understanding some of the sound clips on Dark Side of the Moon that I had trouble with before, speak not only to the recording quality but to the player's ability to accurately reproduce it. So far I have been quite blown away. My ears hurt during the days due to my extended listening during the evenings. Mind you, I have not experienced any ear fatigue during listenings, but my long career as a musician has set me up with sensitive ears after all these years. In any event, lacking a side by side comparison to other similar players, although there are few out there currently, I would recommend this product highly.

Everything

Nothing

Just replaced my Technics DVD-A10 with this Pioneer. I thought the Technics was a great dvd player; however I never really felt that dvd-audio was that teriffic. But this player opened my eyes. The Pioneer is so airy and transparent, and I finally hear things on discs I never heard before. Buy this, it's a steal.

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Sony 300S, Toshiba 3109, Technics A-10

Versatility, sound, video, and PRICE. You can't beat it.

Just that one more button on the remote and it would be perfect.

First of all let me say that when I bought this unit I did not compare it to others like it because I new that I was getting such a good deal on it that there was NOTHING that could compare to it for the price. Let me also say that I have the DV-655A, the Japanese version because I bought it here on Guam from the local dealer who gets his stock from Japan. He's a great guy and gave me a hell of a deal. ($275) So I can definately say that nothing else compares in the same price bracket. So beyond that let me say that DVD Audio is wonderful. If not for the surround, which I like but it was not the selling point, but for the higher quality of audio that is produced. STPs Core on DVD-Audio blew me away. I've seen them live three times and this was the closests thing I have heard coming off of a disc. The bass rendering was incredible, you actually got the whole feel of the bass guitar strings being plucked. I loved it. I also listened to Disturbed's new album on DVD-A and it did not disappoint either. The fidelity that comes from this new format is awesome. The versatility of this play is key though, because who knows which format is really going to take off. George Lucas sure thought he would never put a Star Wars movie on a DVD because Laserdiscs were going to be the new hot thing. As far as movies go I cannot yet attest to the progressive ability of this player. I am more an audio guy so I haven't sprung for the HD TV yet. But regular DVD output to a nice tube TV is exceptional. I couldn't be happier. This is a great product with only one flaw that I have found. I want a button on the remote that will let me switch the video on and off. I like to switch it off when listening to music but it is annoying to have to walk up to the play to switch back on right after I sit down to start watching a movie. Oh, and CDs sound phenominal too. BUY THIS PLAYER.

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Previously had a Pioneer five disc CD/DVD player, and also own a Daewoo player.

Sound quality unmatched at price. Video imaging bested only by Camelot Roundtable at over three thousand additional cost.

SACD capapbilty is analog only, which does not allow for a true direct digital path in this format.

The absolute best buy in the narrow category of universal players. The sound is absolutely phenomenal, rendering my Rotel CD player obsolete. Progressive imaging of this DVD player, with the Pure Cinema chip is a vast improvement to Pioneer's Pure Progressive chip, which was possibly the worst progessive scan chip manufactured. While some seem to be divided in opinion of the remote, I find the ease of use and set up excellent.

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None.

video/audio quality, plays all formats, price

still looking

My old first generation Denon DVD player was conking out so I had to go look in the market for a new DVD player. The bigger brother 47i had gotten great video/audio reviews and more importantly I wanted a player versatile enough to handle DVD-A and SACD, not necessarily be the best at them. Based on my research and talking to various dealers, there is not a significant difference between the video/audio between the 45 and the 47, at least in my opinion not to justify the price. My experience so far has been excellent on all counts, including the limited experience with the DVD-A and SACD. The video quality is stellar on a 50inch Mitsubishi Diamond Line Projection TV and the audio section does not dissappoint either. The Burr-Brown DACs live up to their billing and conventional CDs sound as good if not better compare to my Adcom GCD-600 and Denon CD recorder CDRW-1500. The video is an improvement over my old Denon. I definitely have no problems with signal fallout in SACD/DVD-A mode as mentioned by other guys so I can't be empathetic. I do think though a Mozart performance in 5.1 SACD beats the pants of a conventional CD. The sound is crisper and more detailed and I'm very happy. I'm not sure how one can say DVD-A and SACD is so-so on this player because based on my research just having these formats gives you better sound than a $10,000 conventional CD player, assuming you have decent high-end electronics. Overall, though, coupled with the price point, I think this is a great player and would not hesitate to recommend it. I'm don't find build quality to be an issue. Yes it is light, but as long as its performance and reliability are spot-on, that is what interests me.

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Denon, Yamaha, Sony

audio, combi player options

Our local dealer, as well as many others i am sure, offers a 30 day money back policy. Not one to work the system, i did trial two dvd-a players and this combi player before keeping the pioneer. I wont name names. The system i have now is the RX-V1300 with paradigm 60's, studio center, titans in rears, and ps-1000 sub. First off i noticed, and it states in the manual, that if you set the speakers with the test tones as opposed to the "distances" the output level will decrease to the analog outputs. Setting the speaker settings to "fixed" is the way to go. The yamaha keeps its own setting for speaker loudness for both digital and analog, so why double dip? The player had the best frequency output of the three, and dialog was more localized as well. The audio section is the best i have heard from a dvd-player.(keep in mind) at this price range. I have an older 41" rear projection its not the best for evaluating, i really did not notice any differences between the players on the video end.

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no names