Any other budget DVD-Audio players coming down the pike (besides Panasonic)? (1 Viewer)

[KeithH]

My search for a DVD-Audio player for my second stereo system continues. The Panasonic DVD-S55S ($130) and 'F85 ($150) are at the top of my list, as I don't want to spend much here. The 'S55S is preferred over the 'F85 since I don't need a changer (and the $20 savings is a bonus). However, I have not been able to find the 'S55S locally, and I don't want to buy it by mail blind. So, I could "live" with the 'F85. I've seen it at Circuit City, and it looks like a nice machine. Build quality far exceeds my expectations for a $150 component. My main beef with the 'F85 is that in the interest to make it svelte, Panasonic really skimped on the size of the display. This is nothing new with Panasonic. Just look at last year's models ('CP72, 'CP67, 'CV52, etc.).

Before I run out and get an 'F85, is there anything I should wait for? Are there any other DVD-Audio players coming out in this price range? Let me say that I want to stay away from JVC. Although I know that some folks have had good luck with JVC DVD players, I've read a lot of bad things about them over the years in print and online. Plus, I've never been impressed with the build quality of JVC machines I've seen firsthand. Finally, I am not crazy at all about JVC's 7-disc changers. The proprietary changer mechanism seems too flimsy.

What about Pioneer? I know that the DV-563A universal player will be coming out for $270. A '463A is coming out too, but I've seen no indication of it handling DVD-Audio. The '363K budget model is out now, and it doesn't handle DVD-Audio. Might Pioneer issue a replacement for the '656A?

If it has to be the Panasonic 'F85, I'm sure it will work for me. I just want to make sure I'm not missing out on anything. Thanks in advance!

 

[SeanA]

The Toshiba SD4800 does DVD-Audio and I think it can be had for about $150.

 

[KeithH]

Sean, I am aware of the '4800, as it came out last year. Like JVC, I am not a fan of Toshiba players. Every Toshiba player I see in stores beeps when you press any button the front panel. Perhaps that function can be disabled, but it is still annoying. Also, it seems that every time I read of the incompatibility of a disc (DVD-Audio or DVD-Video), it involves a Toshiba player.

I guess if Pioneer is not going to replace the '656A, I will go with the Panasonic 'F85.

 

[SeanA]

My Toshiba does beep on inputs from the remote, but I think I remember reading in the manual that this could be disabled. I actually like the beep, though I am not sure why. With the beep from my Sony AV3000 remote, I get a double beep, one right behind the other.

As for the DVD-Audio capability, I can't comment since I have not yet tried a DVD-Audio disc in it. I am happy with its DVD performance though.

 

[KeithH]

Sean, thanks for the info. I've never had a component that beeps like that, so it would take some getting used to. There is still the compatibility issue that I've read about with Toshiba players. I'd hate to buy a new DVD-Audio player and find that I can't play a disc on it. Other brands seem to be a safer bet from a compatibility standpoint. Just my opinion.

 

[John Kotches]

Keith,

Yes, the beep can be disabled on Toshiba players. Some like the confirmation that a command has been received from the remote, some don't.

Audio wise, I've always been pleased with the Toshiba players -- video wise, I'm not as fond.

Regards,

 

[KeithH]

John, thanks for the info. That's good to know, but I don't see myself getting the '4800.

By the way, it looks as though you relocated. As I recall, you lived closer to Chicago.

 

[David Coleman]

Toshiba has a 4900 coming with DVD-V/A, CD/R/RW, MPW/WMA/JPEG all in one! Don't know release date but dying to see what it looks like?