EricRWem

WOW! MSRP of $749! This is a contender for sure if they can get it out in a timely manner. I keep hearing anywhere from November 2004-February 2005.

I never want a rushed, unfinished product, but it behooves Yamaha to get this thing out in as timely a manner as possible, in lieu of Denon 2910, 3910, Integra 10.5, etc. etc.

http://www.audioholics.com/cedia/ced...hadvds2500.php

http://www.audioholics.com/cedia/ced...D-S2500DVD.php



Pictures:
Front-view & remote :-




Rear-view :-




Highlights:


Yamaha Electronics Corporation previewed its next generation flagship universal DVD player with Faroudja DCDi processing at CEDIA. The DVD-S2500 will be replacing the DVD-S2300MKII and looks to be a winner already in terms of value and features.


The DVD-S2500 has all the same high-quality features as the DVD-S2300MKII with the addition of some significant upgrades. The DVD-S2500 includes an i.Link digital connection for DVD-Audio, Linear PCM, SA-CD and other high-quality digital audio transfer capabilities. It also supports Video Off Mode, which allows the user to turn off video circuitry while using these enhanced audio formats. Other new video enhancements include a new high-performance video DAC (216MHz/12-bit) and HDMI, which is capable of 480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i digital video up-conversion



Another feature of the DVD-S2500 is NTSC/PAL progressive scan with DCDi processing by Faroudja, which provides 2:3 pull-down and proven-quality video scaling.



The DVD-S2500 single-disc DVD player handles all popular audio/video formats, including SA-CD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD, CD-R/RW, picture CDs, MP3 files and JPEG files.



It also takes full advantage of effects channels on DVD-Audio discs, and offers high-quality, SACD-capable DACs for all channels. Its SACD and DVD-Audio circuits are completely independent and optimized for each format, which provides discrete high-quality audio playback. In addition, the DVD-S2500 has independent digital and analog power circuits and transformers. Like the DVD-S2300MKII, the DVD-S2500 comes with an RS-232C port for advanced custom installation capability.The DVD-S2500 will have an MSRP of just $749 (a $250 price drop form the former flagship) and shoud be released around January 2005.

Kevin C Brown

I was surprised that it's at a lower price point than the 2300. From what I saw, the 2300 generally got the best reviews of any universal player within its price range. I still wish Yamaha would do one in the $1000 - $1500 range.

If it's not worth waiting until the last minute to do, then it's not worth doing.

KevinVision 7.1 ...

EricRWem

Would be nice, but feature wise, this s2500 comes awfully close. It almost offers some compelling evidence that Denon's 3910, for example, might just be a tad overpriced.

I saw the 2300 reviews, too, usually likened up against the Denon 5900 or, more realistically, the 2900. I usually felt like the 2900 was favored in a lot of those reviews.

*shrugs* I really think this market has been at a point, or should be, where I should be able to get something really amazing without having to break a grand.

A lot of this market is still woefully overpriced, imho.

Rob Kramer

My dealer say MSRP is $699.

Thats DCDi, i-link, AND HDMI for $699. Who else can touch that?

Dealer also says due out in November. Other posts from people with different dealers have also confirmed this.

EricRWem

I just hit you up in the AVS thread about this, too. Seriously, that's an insane deal. I'll probably pull the trigger on the s2500 at that rate. That's the best deal I've seen.

I am hoping to get a s1500 vs. s2500 chart or breakdown of some sort down the road. Look forward to more of your thoughts as you play with the s1500...

Rob Kramer

I think that you had better sign up now. This player will be in high demand, and knowing Yamaha, stock will be low. My dealer only got 2 S1500s in (good thing I signed up in May). Im sure next week I'll be on the S2500 list also.

Kwang Suh

What's that other Philips player?

Looks good. I'll just have to keep holding out until someone comes out with the perfect player. Until then I'll just have to enjoy my Mits DD8040.

Is that ilink thingy a Yamaha feature? I don't follow their products at all.

Kevin C Brown

Here's what I bet the 3910 has over this player:

o better layer change
o better BM for SACD/DVD-A
o better audio in general

The 2300 also had a problem with YC delay, but hopefully that will be fixed in the 2500.

If it's not worth waiting until the last minute to do, then it's not worth doing.

KevinVision 7.1 ...

EricRWem

Kevin, that could be true, but...I wonder how many bugs and threads in the AVS forum the s2500 will command vs. the Denon 3910.

I'll say this much. Yamaha may not be the first out of the gate, but they usually come through with some rock solid and bug free. And as far as audio goes? I'd be willing to trust Yamaha pretty far on this considering the other musical and audio endeavors that company has their hands in. Audio is their first, best strength, so it might be premature to declare the 3910 outright superior this early in the game.

And you're also talking about a pretty signifigant difference in price. ON PAPER (key phrase), the s2500 looks like the much better bargain. Easily.

I think the Denon 3910 is awesome, but I also think it's overpriced. Like most other things in this market still are.

It would help me if I could actually find detailed specs on the s2500, like what kind of DACs it's using, etc. etc.

I am really dismayed at the bug fest the 3910 apparently is. Did Denon rush the gun on that thing? It's starting to look that way, and honestly, when you spend a thousand dollars or more, you should have perfection. No macroblocking issues, no nothing.

DVD has been around long enough that these things simply shouldn't be. Whether that's the chip maker's fault or not, it doesn't matter. It simply shouldn't be.