New DVD vs New CD Player ... Blasphemy?

[Andy_]

So here's the dilemma; I am trying to determine the best investment for my next purchase. I need to upgrade my audio source component(s). Currently I have a Panasonic DVD recorder doing double duty as a CD Player and DVD Player. I got it from Best Buy 3 or 4 years ago. It gets the job done but I know there is plenty of room for improvement.

I listen to a lot more CD music than DVD music (concerts, etc). That being said my budget is (always) limited and I am looking for bang for the buck. I would say I watch concert DVD's about 30% of the time and listen to CD's the other 70% of the time.

I am contemplating on whether my money would be better invested in a dedicated CD player such as a NAD C545BEE, a DVD player that will also carry the primary load as a CD player like a Denon DVD-2930CI or a full-on Blu-Ray (which will also carry the CD and DVD load) like Sony's BDP-S5000ES.

I also had the idea of keeping my current DVD player as a transport and purchasing a DAC but there are so many I would not even know where to start. Suggestions are appreciated on that direction.

I know these all of these options are different price points. However, I can not afford any of them at the moment so my primary goal is to get some input, make a decision and set my savings goal.

Right now the rig consists of Polk Audio RT8's and an NAD C326BEE Integrated Amp.

Thanks!

-Andy

[cnh]

The Denon you suggest will do good double duty...(DVD/SACD/CD) there are better....

If you're interested in doing everything at a really moderate price fairly well...(and now I'm going to SHOCK everyone!!) get the Oppo 83 Universal Blu-ray player.

It has a good Blu-ray, great upscaling for DVDs, pretty good audio for CDs and SACDs...and that'll do just about everything for you if you're on a budget. Oppo has a number of models, we're talking at least the 500 dollar player...and if you can afford their more expensive model 800-900 you'll get better DACs, etc.

A lot of people here love theirs...and they're not horribly expensive.

cnh

[Keiko]

I have this player and recommended it over the Holidays last year. It's a solid performer in all areas for 80.00 bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DVD-S1800BL-1080p-Upconverting-Player/dp/B000WKTG76/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267249998&sr=1-2

[EFanning]

I am in a similar dilemma with a Marantz amp and Polk M70s. Right now, I am using a Marantz DV4001 for CD and DVD playback.

To optimize your CD needs (70 percent of use), you could buy a NAD CD player to match your integrated amp.

Maybe this is a good choice: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1272166467&/NAD-C-521-BEE-

Keep your existing DVD player and begin pricing mid-range Blu-ray players. In a year or so, buy a Blu-ray player with a pretty good DAC. Then you'll have good sound for DVD and Blu-ray playback (30 percent of use).

The Oppo and Yamaha listed above are good options. But for CD playback, neither is as strong as a NAD CD player. If CD playback is 70 percent of use and enjoyment, I'd advise maximizing that experience instead of compromising to meet lesser needs.

In my case, I'm targeting the Marantz CD5001 and, in the long run, a Blu-ray player. Eventually, I'll sell the DV4001. But, because the DV4001 is good enough for CD and DVD playback, I keep spending money on vinyl-related stuff.

[coolsax]

+1 to the yamaha S1800 very solid universal player for great price.

[packetjones]

That yamaha looks like a great deal.I am looking at getting into SACD and it looks like a fairly cheap way to try it out.

[cfrizz]

Get a good univesal player for everything. I'd probably would go for the Oppo.

[xcapri79]

If you don't need SACD, then the discounted Pioneer BDP-320 is an excellent choice for a Blu-ray/DVD/CD player. Not bad for $169 from several trusted sellers on Amazon.
I just picked up one for myself as a gift.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-BDP-320-1080p-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B001U3Y5TI/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_4

[gdb]

I believe in separation of video & audio disc players, my 2 channel setup is 2ch. audio only. For audio discs (redbook) I have an old Carver SD/A-450 plus an old Elite and a couple old Kyoceras, some day I'll get a tube CDP when $$ allows.Not too sure I want to take the SACD route, at least not anytime soon anyway. I found a great deal on a Pioneer DV-220V-K HDMI 1080p Upscaling DVD Player for use as a back up player, this thing is incredible!It's only $59.00 delivered, you can record to a flash drive from the front USB port and the 1080P output is amazing picture quality. It is serving as my primary DVD player until the LG-BD390 bluray that I want comes back down in price. For 59bucks,you could use that Pioneer while you decide which "good" disc player/players you want to end up with.:)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HR6EQS/ref=oss_product

[Ranger0912]

Second the Oppo vote. My experience as an early adopter with the Pioneer BD players was a disaster. Frequent firmware updates coupled with (at the time) new technology worked to sour me on Blu Ray. Having had experience with the earlier generations of Oppo I got on the pre-release list and have been delighted with the new 83. An exceptional piece.

[ben62670]

Denon 2900 is highly tweak able and cheap.

[pploeser]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I've had a Rotel CD player for about 10 years that hasn't seen much use, and has given me trouble from time to time (maybe due to lack of use?). It was a big investment back then, and I don't have the money right now to replace it with something comparable. By the time I spend the money to have it diagnosed/fixed, I could buy a reasonably priced dedicated CD player or DVD/Universal disc player... maybe even with blu ray. It would give me the option to explore SACD, DVD audio, and maybe blu-ray audio too, if I wanted.

The Yamaha mentioned seems like a good choice that definitely won't break the bank. Then later I could upgrade with an external DAC (if even needed, to match SQ of the Rotel?), but as you said, there are so many choices I'd be unsure of where to start. The difference in sound between any digital media players will come from the DAC's used, right? So you could theoretically buy any budget player with a digital out, and give yourself lots of room for improvement.

Something like the Yamaha might be a temporary step backwards in sound quality, but it looks like soon it's either got to be a new CD player or no CD player :(. My 2-channel and HT are in completely separate rooms, so I definitely need separate, dedicated music and movie units... this is where our decisions might differ a bit. I'm thinking a universal player or at least DVD/CD combo will give you the best bang for your buck and keep things nice and simple.

[organ]

Depends how serious you want your 2ch set up to be. A universal player is a good choice. You can find used ones at good prices. You can look at offerings from Denon, Marantz, Oppo, etc.
If it's the sound of cd's you're really looking forward to improve, a dedicated cdp or outboard 2ch DAC is better, IMO.

[rcrook317]

im thinking the cambridge azur 340c.its only 269.00,specs look solid...rite now im using ps3 for universal player....thinking dedicated cdp for now.anyone hav thoughts on cambridge gear?

[pploeser]

That yamaha looks like a great deal.I am looking at getting into SACD and it looks like a fairly cheap way to try it out.

I picked one up last night. I'll admit, it was an impulse buy, but at only $80 it was hard to pass up. Supposedly that model went for $500 at one point.

If my Rotel behaves long enough I'm going to try to do a comparison with regular CDs this weekend.

[Bernal]

Oppo +1

[Phil Dawson]

You could move up a step (IMHO) and check out Lexicon's RT-10 and RT-20. Both are universal players, the 10 being the older model. Both are available only used as they have been discontinued because of the introduction of Blue Ray. The 10 can be had for $300-$500 and the 20 can be had for $700-$1000 (check audiogon). Both have gotten great reviews and are build like tanks by a very high end manufacturer.
Good luck, Phil

[pploeser]

If anyone's interested, I got the Yamaha S1800 hooked up and did just a few minutes of listening this morning. So far I like the sound. I don't have any SACD or DVD-A discs yet, so I can only comment on CD sound. I'd like to compare it to my Rotel, when I get it put back together, but so far the Yamaha seems a bit warmer in comparison. I think it lacks the ability to give you some of the very subtle details that the higher end player can produce, but overall, for the money I'm pleased so far.

The Oppo seems to be the popular choice, but I thought I'd share that anyway.