See other reviews. This is an update on one aspect of set up.

Since posting the review the first time. I want to add a comment. In my system, the sub is connected via a line level output from the reciever. I found it hard to set the bass management on the DVP and on the reciever such that a CD sounded the same when routed to the reciever by the ordinary DVD (analog or digital) inputs vs. through the 5.1 inputs. This was because there was also the interplay with the level control on the sub it self.

If you have this problem you may find it easier to connect the sub via the it's speaker level inputs and st both the DVP and your AVR to: "Main L&R = large" and "Subwoofer = none". This should result in integrateing the sub strictly with it's own level, crosover and phase controls.

Good picture for an old TV, SACD wow!

Not very stackable, CD playback quality. No Progressive Scan capability.

Not too long ago, I decided it was time to upgrade my "theater" system to a DVD and a real surround system. I was still stuck on a stereo VCR and a cheapo 3M(!) Dolby Pro-logic box system.

I started with the DVD, and trying to sort out the meaningful differences. There didn't seem to be many. I was going over the features with the salesman, and the SACD capability piqued my curiosity.

I am of the CD generation, and not really an audiophile, having personally owned 1 piece of vinyl in my life. I always thought CD's were capable of capturing everything the ear could hear, so why did you need more? They have been playing some ads for it on the radio, and I wasn't really interested.

But, I'm a technogeek, too, so I asked for a demo. Of course, the demo room set up with SACD was all the top-of-the line stuff, so I was probably listening to $15,000 of equipment. But back-to-back comparison to CD knocked my socks off!

Among all the DVD players I looked at, the SACD capability was the only outstanding feature I saw. Since I'm using this with a pretty old composite-video TV (Harmon/Kardon VM1) and no foreseeable budget to upgrade that to a cool widescreen, no progressive scan wasn't a showstopper for me...

In completing my system, I went with the Harmon/Kardon AVR310 reciever, Boston Acoustics 940 front speakers, and 910 center. My old Boston A40's are pulling rear-channel duty. Also hooked in are a Sony 200-CD changer, the forementioned VCR, and a satellite reciever. Oh, and the lame 3M subwoofer powered by my old Yamaha amp. (Until I can justify buying a real one...)

The only problem in setting this up is that the DVD player is so shallow, noting fits well stacked on top of it. The VCR kind of hangs over the back, but it won't sit on top of the narrow VCR, either! What would 3 more inches of depth have cost??? ;)

I am pretty happy with DVD performance. My only real complaint would be a few noticable transitions between chapters (a pause). I'm surprised at the picture quality the old TV is really capable of, and the DVD sound (decoded by the AVR310) is outstanding.

I REALLY like the SACD capabilities! Even on my modest system, the difference between SACD and CD are amazing - especially with classical music. The high overtones come through very clearly, with no harshness at all, and the imaging is so much more real! Violins on CD just sound wrong anymore. Most popular music probably wouldn't benefit too much, very little natural high frequencies... Madonna on CD still sounds good to me.

My library is still small, but growing... A few notes on what I have found.

Multi-layer CD-compatible disks are RARE. I would like to see more of these published, so I can listen on regular players as well (car, bedroom, etc.)

Multi-channel disks are rare, too. Most are just plain old stereo, although they do usually have more presence and depth than CD. Some are multi-channel, with three-channel front, and rear channel is used to give you a feel of the original space. These are very subtle, but have TONS of presence. Multichannel can also be used creatively.

The Master matters. SACD's that were originally mastered in DSD are AMAZING. Incredible clarity, no noise - WOW! This is now a selling point on a disc for me. Old analog recordings come alive very well, but tend to have noticeable hiss. I have one that was mastered digitally at a 50 KHz sampling rate - it is only marginally better than the CD. :( skip that in the future...

DVD-Audio can be played in Dolby Digital or DTS, but not the Advanced Resolution form. I have the new Bjork album, "Vespertine". Sound quality is not that of an SACD, but it does VERY creative use of multichannel imaging, and is still well worth it. So don't ignore this format completely!

At a price comperable to other DVD players, the SACD capability is a VERY worthwhile feature - especially if you look at current models of standalone SACD players!

Similar Products Used:

none

SACD Playback, CD Playback

Confusing Menus and manual

I have been pleasantly suprised by the sound quality of this li'l unit. Picked it @ Best Buy for a mere pittance, plugged in and right out o' the box, great sound! And it gets better as it breaks in. Give it time, you will be rewarded, grasshopper.
* SACD: Using Miles' "Kind of Blue" & James Taylor's "Hourglass" SACDs, the sound is truly inspiring. The Miles is the better bet, the surrounds only have ambient info so there's a real soundstage, no weird instruments in the rears, although James' somewhat nasal voice was almost spooky in its realism. Sound is ultra clean, lots of space around the instruments, which addresses what I think is the main drawback to standard CD listening. Both of these SACDs smoke the CDs. Good speaker/bass management controls on board. Almost unbelievable sound for just $249.
* CD playback: Suprisingly good sound out o' regular red book CDs. Variable filter options on board, so you can tailor your sound and tame down those harsh discs in your collection. On Loreena McKennitt's "Live in San Francisco" promo disc, the Sony threw a huge soundstage, with great depth and localization of instruments - something you NEVER EVER get out of mass market type CD players. (BTW, hunt this disc down, soundstage fans - you will not hear a live CD sound better ...and the performance is to die for).
NOTE: Also played every CDR & RW I've thrown at it. Error correction better than normal - a bonus!
* DVD Playback: Pretty good picture, (OK, the Toshiba is better, but hey, it's still pretty darn good); it has lots of picture options, and again, great sound. The battle sequence in "Pearl Harbor" had way more impact via the Sony soundwise than either the Toshiba or Technics. Even my WIFE noticed it! (Sorry, babe.)
In direct comparison to my trusty Technics DVD Audio machine (which, don't forget, initially listed for $1200 smackers), the Sony actually sounded better in direct A-B of Telarc's new recording of the "1812 Overture". I had the CD, SACD and DVD-A on hand, and it was close but the edge definitely goes to the little Sony in SACD mode. Better depth, faster transients and more space around the instruments. Watch out for those cannons! Both the SACD and DVD-A - even in 2 channel - made the original Telarc CD sound lifeless and dull.
So there - who cares about the menus & manual and cheesy remote and the fact that it weighs less than a bologna sammich? Sony has bestowed a gift upon music lovers for 249 of them measly bucks! It woulda cost 2 grand 2 years ago to get this level of quality. Buy one now and enjoy. Hell, buy two!
My system:
Alon Petites all around
Sunfire Signature Sub
Sunfire Cinema Grand Amplification
Melos SHA-1 Preamp - L&R
Chase Technologies RLC-1 "Preamp" - Surrounds & Center (BTW, still available from J&R, now at $39. An outright steal - a great add-on remote controller and a clean quiet preamp to boot!)

Similar Products Used:

Technics DA-10; Toshiba 5700

SACD,Sound Quality

No DVD-A, no headphone jack

I'm very surprised with this DVD, the Sound and Picture Quality are very high for the price range, it's really amazing the SACD Stereo and Multichannel capabilities at this price and great sound quality, even the manual, nor any specification out there talk about SVCD and this unit has SVCD capability as well, I tested with a SCVD made with Nero and play it very well, I tested many CD-R and CD-RW, SACD Stereo and Multichannel and everything is OK!. 115db Noise/Signal, Bandwith is from 2Hz to 100Khz, True 24/96 Digital Out, DVDs normally out only 16/44.1 or 16/48, in SACD mode no Digital Out(is normal today in SACD world).

No Progressive Scan, but it only works with Compoent Video Inputs on the TV set. This unit has all kind of output you need, Analog and Digital Audio out, Composite Video, Super Video and Component Video out.

I'm sure other DVDs can offer more features, and maybe better sound and video, but, this one has great sonics and that is most important to me. Highly recommended.

I give five for SACD Bargain and Far Better that I imagined.

Ability to play nearly every format. Bass management. Some DSP modes.

Some features need access through on-screen menue.User manual obtuse. No DVD-A. No Progressive Scan.

Both video and audio quality is better than the 3 year old DVD player it replaced. While the video is not progressive scan, it looks very good on my monitors (which has a built in line doubler). Most likely, very picky high end types will find something to complain about in the audio, but by any measure I can imagine audio in all modes is very good indeed.

Thanks to the manual hookup takes some time. You can connect with any or all of the following: 2-channel analog out, digital out or 5.1 analog. Just exactly how you configure these with the on screen menu and your reciever or pre-amp is not clearly stated. The manual trys "dumb it down" a bit but either goes too far or not far enough. I recommend that you just connect the audio to you 5.1 inputs and don't bother with the rest. You can send all audio signals through these and that is the simplest course. Since he unit has some basic surround processing for 2-channel sources you may not need the DSP modes your reciever offers.

Base management is sufficient for most purposes. If you need more sofisticated choices than "large"/"Small" or "yes"/"no" you will have to find a compromise.

While the unit cannot play DVD-A tracks, it will play the DTS or DD tracks that come on all DVD-A discs.

There are a number of useful options like auto selecting the track with the highest number of tracks. To bad that in case of a tie DD5.1 takes precedence over DTS. Oh well.

Overall:.Excellent convience - a "one box" solution. More than adequate performance. All at a very good price.

Similar Products Used:

RCA 5220