DVD players

Guys, A friend needs a very good DVD player to go with a 60 inch top end plasma any suggestions??

Thanks
Money up to 3k I suppose

 

These 2 are pretty fair, DV29 Arcam and the Teac DV50.

 

From what people say on here the general idea seems to be not to waste your money on a top notch DVD as its not worth it. You only get very very marginal gains in performance for your extra £2500.

 

Acram FMJ DV-27A
Denon DVD-A1XV
Pioneer DV-868AVi-S
Cyrus DVD 8
Meridian G91

All worth a look at. Might be a few others I've missed.

 

Didn't realise Arcam had replaced the 27 with the 29.

 

Onkyo DVSP1000E. The best I've ever seen. Built like a lorry to boot. Yours for a scant £2.5k.

 

Naim CD5 - not! No matter how good the performance, that's a LOT of cash for a glorified video It doesn't even record!

Seriously now - mid-top end Pioneers are a good safe bet.

 

the new denon...I forget the exact model number, but it's supposed to to one of the best...but as what AT said, it's hard to justify paying 3k for a dvd player...

 

Oh yes I forgot he'd like HDMI as his plasma has all that whatever it is.

 

has he got an AV amp, subb and speakers too..???
could buy some decent kit with even 3k, and that would of course include a dvd player...

 

He has about 30k's worth of system so in short, yes!!

 

well maybe a UX-1 then, simply the best

 

Plasma is less exacting than a large projected picture. Therefore something like Marantz DV9500, which has HDMI out, is more than good enough since it holds its own in a higher end system than you mention

 

I'd really suggest trying some cheaper models before blowing that kind of dosh. Although I've had some expensive players in the past, I currently use a lowly (but highly rated) Toshiba SD230E DVD player with my Panny 42" plasma. Using a decent quality component video lead and with the player set to progressive scan the picture is fantastic. And that DVD player cost EIGHTY POUNDS new (multi region)!!

You'll find a fair few with HDMI outputs at a reasonable price and, even if you don't want to go really cheap, at least try out some of the mid price Denons.

Matt.

 

This pair would be top of my list. The Pio is some £1000 cheaper than the A1, if I remember correctly!

That A1 is the Wrath of God - twin 14bit 214Mhz video dacs - phwoar!!

DT

 

save your money

I just sold my cyrus dvd8 player with qdac upgrade on ebay. It cost me 900 new on a good deal, but the RRP now is 1.4k all in. Anyway I sold it for 700 after two years use. What am I going to buy now?...

A 150-200 quid *Marantz. Spending more is a waste of time to be honest. Save your cash for where it makes a difference - the hifi. If it lasts two years and goes wrong, then fine - pop it in the bin and get another. Cheapo dvd players are fine these days. Especially if you run the sound through a decent dac like a benchmark. Most use the same tranny and laser pick up anyway.

*Edited to add: a cheap Denon or Pioneer is also fine.

 

The Smasung HD950 @ £120 gets good reviews.

It has HDMI and DCDi, though apparently the menus aren't terribly ergonomic.

The trend in new flat tellys seems to be for them to have more and more digital picture enhancement onboard, so is there any need for anything more than a simple DVD player with HDMI?

 

Yes I'd buy a £200 job with a reasonable output and hold. I dont think I'd ever spend more than £350 on a DVD player. As long as the picture is sharp/stable and the audio sounds as good as CD I'm happy.

To many formats/connectors/broadcast standards and outputs to settle down to risk spending £1000 plus on a DVD player. There almost appears to be a new hi-def socket every month.

Lot of unrest in the AV market at the moment.

 

Denon 3910 (£850)
TAG DVD32FL (£1200)

Or if you really want to go cheap a second hand..
Arcam 88+
Denon 2800II

Liam.

 

Surprised no one has mentioned the denon 2910 and 3910, the 2910 may be a worth a look at as it is supposed to based on the more expensive 2900 model it replaced, plus it has a very good feature set for very decent money, and the 3910 is meant to be even better. Another good option would have to be the naim dvd 5 at £2350, which seems to be very good from what I have heard about it, also remember that naim will be (I think) be releasing a scaler board for this machine.