RossVTaylor Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 I just brought home a DVD-Audio player that I bought on an "impulse" while I was looking for a new CD player. It's a Panasonic DVD-A7D. While I've got a nice CD changer, I'm going to use that as our whole-house music source, so I'm looking for a single disc player of good quality to use with my Denon AVR-5800 in our HT room. I thought the DVD-Audio capabilities would be nice to have, but after reading the four reviews on audioreview.com (and some of the threads on DVD-Audio) I'm not sure this is the player for me. It's still in the box, in fact. Does anyone have any suggestions for a player in the $600-800 range? My favorite dealer carries Denon, B&K, Sony, Toshiba, and Pioneer/Elite. Any thoughts on the Denon DCM-370 with HDCD capability, or any thoughts on HDCD in general? I just read a review on the Denon CDR-W1500, a two tray player/recorder. The reviewer liked the audio quality and the ability to play two discs. I wouldn't mind having another burner, if the play quality of this piece is good. I'm open to suggestions, if anyone can offer some experience. Thanks, Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdm56 Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 Do you already have a DVD (video) player in your home theatre? If not, it seems the machine you bought would be good in there, assuming it does also have full video capabilities. As for a CD player in the price range you mentioned, I'd sure give a good look at a Sony ES; specifically the CDP-XA20ES. I've got a Sony CDP-X33ES that I bought in '90. It is used in my gonzo audio room and has really been a superb performer without a bit of trouble. Still operates as smoothly and quietly as when it was new. At this point, I fully expect that it'll stay in my system until SACD and/or DVD-Audio become firmly established. Over the years, I have read a boat load of CD player reviews. Sony ES machines have consistently been stellar performers on the test bench and in the music room. ------------------ JDMcCall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider124 Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 Single Disc player below $800? It would have to be the Njoe Tjoeb 4000. Available from www.upscaleaudio.com. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzer Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 I will seriously concider the DCM-370, excellent sound, quality and unbeatable price. I got mine for $187.00, you will have to spend about 900.00 on a Rotel to get close in the sound quality. ------------------ Cruzer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJT Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 Alot of good info at www.hdcd.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drobo1 Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 Ross, Check out the Sony 9000ES. DVD with progressive scan, CD, and best of all true high resolution digital audio with Super Audio CD. It may be a little more but you won't regret. drobo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossVTaylor Posted February 7, 2001 Author Share Posted February 7, 2001 I thank everyone who chimed in with input. I made the decision to stay away from DVD-Audio and SACD for now. I checked the reviews on the players mentioned above and found lots of positive comments for the Denon on audioreview.com. I almost bought the DCM-370 but ended up buying a CDR-W1500 that I read about in Sound and Vision. Like the 370, this player handles the HDCD's. I'm very impressed with the sound quality. I also checked out a nice Pioneer Elite (the PD-65, I think) that was very nice - but I thought the Denon sounded great, too, and it has two trays with recording capability. So, maybe it's not as "audiophile" but I couldn't be happier. Thanks again for the opinions, Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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