Opinions wanted on CD/DVD/Blue-Ray (1 Viewer)

[AmusingistheDawn]

New to the forum, you guys helped me decide on a Denon 2808CI receiver, and since then, I've upgraded my dish network dvr to one with hdmi/hd capabilites. I'm also in the process of getting a new tv, but now I'm getting confused...

I have an older DVD player. A pioneer elite that was pretty expensive 6-7 years ago. I listen to a lot of music...more so than watching movies, but they are both important to me. I have always used my DVD player to watch movies AND play cd's...but things are changing in the HT world.

Do I buy a DVD player, a Blue-Ray player, AND a CD player? Do I buy a newer DVD player with hdmi and use it the same way I used my older unit? Has blue-ray caught on enough to where I should buy a new blue-ray player and ditch everything else? I'm getting more and more involved in HT these days and I don't know how much I should be spending and what units to spend money on.

As for right now, I guess I could say I'm in need of unit that can play CD's and DVD's via HDMI due to $$$. I would like opinions on what I stated previously, but also some info on what I should be looking for right now.

 

[SethH]

Just get a BluRay player. The current generation almost all will play regular DVDs, BluRay discs and CDs.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

Sounds good.
I've been reading about the Sony BDP S550...looks good, but I have also been checking out something more expensive like the Denon 1800BD. Is there a reason the Sony is so popular right now? Should I save money and buy it, or invest more in a Denon?

 

[David Willow]

The S550 is popular now because it works. The older Sonys (except the PS3) had issues.

Checkout the Panasonics as well.

Maybe someone will have a different opinion, but I see no reason to spend more on the Denon.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

If the same quality can be had for less money. I'm all about it. I might pick up that player, unless there are any stand-out reasons why I should go another route.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

Mainly...if I listen to a lot of cds...will I loose any quality on a $300 or less BD player run through hdmi? Amazon is having a sale: $200 off a Samsung BDP-1500 if I buy my HDTV at the same time. I also noticed I called it bluE Ray.

 

[gene c]

I doubt you could tell a difference in cd sound quality between your older Elite and a new BluRay. But there's no reason you couldn't continue to use the Elite for music only. I have a Samsung 1400 but only use it for BluRay. I use a Pioneer Elite DV-59avi for cd, sd, and DVD-A/SACD.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

I already told my younger brother I'd give him the player if I bought new. I already gave him my older VSX-26 receiver, so I figured he would enjoy my older DV-05 to go along with it.

The audiophile in my tends to get caught up in things and I don't know where that middle line is. Is there a BD player on the market that is better with audio and playing cd's then the majority of other players. Or is there no difference at all in the price range that I'm in. I can't spend more than $600, so with that considered, do you have any suggestions on a BD player? The Sony BDPS550 looks good as far as "bang for your buck", but I'm just not sure. I'm thinking that when playing music and or a BD or a DVD...I won't notice the difference in quality from the price range of $300-$600...or will I?

 

[gene c]

Also look at the Panasonic BD-55. Getting real good reviews all around.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

Will do. Thanks for the help. I really don't have much choice right now. It's an all in one or nothing at all! I'd imagine playback for audio cd's would be just as good as a cd player for $600.

 

[JohnRice]

I would go for 2 players. Most likely the specific choices would be the Panasonic 35 for BluRay only and an Oppo 981HD for SD-DVD and CD. You come in at under $600 I think you will have the best of all options this way. The Oppo has a number of features you won't get in a BluRay player, including better CD playback, SACD, DVD-A and region free capability, and it upscales SD-DVD better than probably any BR player under $600. Read Robert George's write-up in the Sources section on the Panasonic 35 and it is quite clear it shines on BR material. Total cost, $529 plus tax and shipping.

If music is really important, I would watch eBay for a good CD player. People are selling some outrageously good ones for cheap. No video player will ever match a truly good CD only player. I still use my nearly 15 year old 3 piece Audio Alchemy CD system. It blows away anything else in Video players.

 

[JohnRice]

Why is that? At least consider my recommendation. And NO WAY will a $600 BR player be as good on CD as a truly good CD player.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

Thank you so much for the input. What would be the ideal connection for a cd player. I was asking in another thread if hdmi makes sense for stereo audio playback only (if you were listening to cds on a bluray player). I also was not aware that upconversion playback of SD DVD's is actually better on the latter of the two recommendations you had. VERY INTERESTING.

I'd rather not deal with ebay...I understand you can get a great deal...but I'd be concerned with something being wrong or breaking and just being SOL. So in your opinion, the Oppo 981HD is best for watching SD dvds AND CDs? Would I be using hdmi inputs on the 981 for cd playback?

On that note as well...would you recommend a better model with the same or better features? I can hold off on the bluray since I don't own even 1 BD. I'm more concerned right now about upconversion from SD DVD, CD playback, CD playback, and possibly avi,wma playback. So I can budget something like $550 for a player similar to what you mentioned. I'm glad I didn't buy a BD player yet because what you mentioned is what I am concerned about.

 

[David Willow]

With the latest round of firmware updates, the Pansonic players are pretty good up converting DVD. I'm not a huge videophile, so take my statements with this in mind. Watching DVDs on my BD30 (on my 61" JVC LCoS set) is on par with any DVD player I've seen or owned. Watching movies on Blu-Ray takes it to a whole other level. The PQ and audio is outstanding. If given a choice between a really good up converting DVD or Blu-Ray, I would choose Blu all the way.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

Understandable...but the emphasis on the reason for choosing two players is because I listen to more music on CD than anything else...and I have a feeling that BD players will not sound as good compared to a really good CD player, mainly because BD is based on video/audio mixed...more on the video. I listen to stereo audio via CD's more than anything, and want that particular part of my set-up to sound the best.

 

[gene c]

OPPO is supposed to release a BluRay player in the next few months (?). MSRP is rumoured to be $500-700. Not saying you should wait, just wanted you to know since it appears their up-conversion and cd playback (for a video machine

) are as good or better than anything else out there in it's price range. I've never had a really good cd player. I might look into this if I survive the Holidays.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

Hmmm...to wait or not to wait. Maybe I'll buy the tv first and hold off on the dvd/cd/bd player.

 

[JohnRice]

However, that is not the option I am proposing. Chris wants the best solution for under $600, and the best possible CD playback. For $530 you can get a superior upscaling SD-DVD player with exceptional audio capabilities and PAL/NTSC region free playback, plus an inexpensive BR player which is reported to have exceptional BR playback, equivalent to $600 units.

As far as CD playback on the Oppo, I would lean toward analog outputs, because then you are using the Oppo's audio D/A section. Still, there is no reason not to try both. If your receiver has a "direct" mode, definitely use that for music. The better option will depend on your receiver, but my guess is the Oppo will do the D/A better.

 

[JohnRice]

BTW, the idea of waiting for an Oppo BR player is intriguing, but I hesitate to dive in on their first effort, when others have had a while to refine theirs. That Panasonic 35 really sounds like a great machine, if only for BR. Personally, I like having two players anyway. Each one has particular strengths, plus if one dies, you aren't completely lost.

 

[AmusingistheDawn]

That is a good point. It's not always a good idea to try out the first line of anything. So...speaking in the current, what is another suggestion for a dvd player with the best upconverting and also the best playback for a cd? In around the $300-600 range.