Sony DVP-S9000 ES or Pioneer Elite 47a (1 Viewer)

[Dave Moritz]

I beleive I have narrowed it down to these two dvd players. I was concidering the Kenwood Soverigne single drawer dvd player. Have been hearing to many negative remarks from sales people that deal with Soveriegn product. This was my first choice because of the Faroudja's chip in this model. But I also decided against this player becasue I now want a unit that does SACD as well. Due to budget constrainst I have come to the conclusion that I need a DVD, DVD-A and SACD player. Playing mp3 files is a plus but not necisary.

I have currently narrowed my choices down to the Sony ES DVP-S9000 ES or the Pioneer Elite 47a DVD Player. Would apreciate input from anyone who has these players or who has even looked at these two peices themselves. I will be taking my favorite cd's and dvd movies and sacd's. To to extensive listening to both peices as soon as my tax return arrives.

Thanks, Dave

Whittier, CA

Home Theater equipment paage coming soon !

 

[Justin Doring]

I own the Sony DVP-9000ES and while it has progressive scan, it only plays two channel SACD. This is fine for me, but you might want multi-channel player. Also, the DVP-9000ES doesn't play DVD-As, CD-Rs or MP3s, so this might also be a consideration. What the Sony does offer, however, is build quality that puts both the plastic, Chinese-made Kenwood Sovereign (which doesn't play SACDs) and Malaysian-made Pioneer Elite to shame.

That said, I think the Pioneer and Kenwood use the new Faroudja chip, so video quality might be slightly better than the Sony. The difference in video quality, however, is probably minimal.

Given the choice of these three players, I'd still go with the Sony without hesitation.

 

[Phil A]

I had the 9000ES for about a year in my bedroom system. The bedroom system backs to the wall of the reference system so I was able to have 2-Channel SACD with both systems. I replaced the 9000ES with the DV-47A and have that a few months now. Would be happy to answer any questions you have. I also have done multiple comparisons of each of the players placed in reference audio systems at a local high-end shop to evaluate their audio potential. The DV-47A of course gives one multi-channel SACD and also DVD-A whereas the 9000ES is just 2-channel SACD. Both offer progressive scan. When I use(d) either one it was not with their stock power cords. All manuf. that offer upgradable cords generally have a $4 cord included which does not do much for me (neither do the std. interconnects). The 9000ES has superb build quality and being an ES component comes with a 5 yr. warranty. In my opinion, the 2-channel SACD performance with the 9000ES is superior to the DV-47A. Most of my progressive scan viewing with both players consists of a 40 inch widescreen Samsung LCD rear projector in the bedroom system. Both have good pictures, perhaps the Pioneer can be described as a little softer. On standard CD playback, I prefer the DV-47A. The 9000ES is just an average CD player. You may also wish to look at the new Philips. It is progressive scan and multi-channel SACD for $599 list. Someone noted on another post that one place is selling it for $475.

 

[StaceyS]

Justin, who cares where the players are made? The Pioneer does not use the Sage chip. It reads the flags.

 

[BobH]

What new Philips machine?

 

[PomingF]

Dave, in the current issue of SGHT, the 47A reviewer actually used the 9000ES for many comparisons (CD, stereo SACD & video). With the added MC SACD & DVD-A capability of the Pioneer but the Sony's longer warranty your decision can be tough provide not much of a price difference.

PF

 

[KeithH]

PomingF,
Don't leave us hanging! What did the reviewer say about the relative video and sound quality of the '47A and 'S9000ES? Obviously the reviewer could have only compared the two with CDs and stereo SACDs, but that's O.K. What was said?
Stacey,
Whether right or wrong, it is a commonly held belief that low-end components are made in China or Malaysia and higher-end components are made in Japan or other parts of the world (US, for example). I would not dismiss a component out of hand based on where it is made, but there is a trend.

 

[ManojM]

Dave, there is no single disc Kenwood Soverign player, so I am not sure what you were looking at. The DV-5700 is 5 disc, and the DV-5900 is 300 disc. The de-interlacing in the Sony and the Pioneer are both significantly inferior to the Kenwood Soverign, and in my opinion the progressive scan picture quality of the Kenwood is significantly better than either. I recently reviewed this player for DVD Etc., a magazine hitting the newstands at the end of the month. Interestingly enough, the reviews for the Kenwood have been excellent overall, and most of the salespeople I have talked to either had positive comments, or no knowledge about it (very common), but I have not heard negative comments. In fact both of the major chains in this area (Tweeter and Good Guys) don't even keep the player in stock, but have to special order it, so their experience with it is somewhat limited. In interlaced mode, I am sure all three players will work very well.

Your comparison is also a little apples to oranges, as the Kenwood is DVD-A (which it is actually fairly good at) and not SACD. The Philips unit is the 962, which is in the process of hitting the shelves. It has the Faroudja chip, SACD, and CD upsampling. If the picture quality is as good or better than the Q50 and it doesn't have the freezing problems the Q50 had, than the 962 may be a home run. The SACD is supposedly fairly good on this model also. I would look hard at this choice. The Denon 3800 is a good choice, but initial reports on avsforum indicate the chroma bug is significant, which I think is a significant drawback in a $1000 player.

Before I went and spent the money on a 47-A, I would look at some other choices also if looking for both SACD and DVD-A. Perhaps a Sony 222 or 555ES for carousel, CD, and SACD duties, and a Denon-1600 for DVD and DVD-A duties. I have not seen the Denon myself, but I am expecting to get one for review for DVD Etc. within a couple of weeks. To be fair to the Pioneer, if you have a mid-level system, it will sound very good for SACD and DVD-A, and if you only need the interlaced output, it will also look very good.

What I highly recommend is that you buy based on your own opinions rather than a salesperson's opinions. Get them to hook up a couple of your choices to the same television and compare them. Remember, this is a relative comparison, as it is very hard to find the right settings on the television and the player to make everything look its best in a shop. On the Kenwood, I would remind you to turn down the enhancer to 0 when watching it.

 

[Dzung Pham]

Keith, I haven't read the review but it is described here. Look for Tom_Bombadil's post.

 

[KeithH]

Dzung, thanks for posting the link. I'll check it out.

 

[Justin Doring]

"Justin, who cares where the players are made?"

Apparently you don't. I do. If you have to ask why...

 

[Dave Moritz]

Hello ManojM

My mistake I was thinking that the single disc unit at Ultimate Electronics was a Soverign player. A few salespeople at Ulitmate Electronic though in their opinion it was junk. This chain that is mainly in the north west. UE carries Kenwood Soverign, SonyES, Pioneer Elite, Krell, Martin Logan so it isnt a best buys. All the sales people seemed to lean toward the Pioneer or the Sony. I have a Yamaha RV-X995 receiver that runs thru Altec Voice of the Theater cabnets. The reciever will be upgraded to one of the following receivers, Pioneer Elite 49TX, Denon AVR-5803, B&K 307 or the Sunfire Theater Grand 3 ? It would be nice to get back into a McIntosh peice but the MX-132 is out of my range right now. As is the Krell pre/pro and even the Casablanca. I use to own the MX-130 and if I had the money I would be looking at the MX-132. Back to the DVD/SACD issue, I would like to go seperate DVD/DVD-A and a SACD player in order to have better componants. But for now I will need to get a combo DVD/DVD-A/SACD player with progresive scan. What does Sony ES have in the 1400 range in SACD only area? I am currently running a Pioneer DV-525 for DVD (has not DVD-A and do not think it has progressive out.), my current CD player is a Denon DCD-1290 with dual 20 bit dac's. I will be looking at the Phillips as well as suggested. My main concern is to get the best performing peice I can get for my money. To cover a comment really quick, imho I do beleive that there is a quality difference in where componants are made. Usually in build quality and for example power amps from japan in most casses can not touch amps made here in the US by US companies. Most US companies are audiophile companies that do not take short cuts and use the best to make there product. Not to say that there are not some good products out of Japan or any other contries.

 

[KeithH]

Dave said:

What does Sony ES have in the 1400 range in SACD only area?

Nothing right now. The Sony SCD-C555ES carousel SACD/CD changer sell for $600-800 these days. The retail price is $800, though when it was introduced in April 2001, it retailed for $1700. The next model up is the SCD-XA777ES single-disc SACD/CD player, which retails for $3000, but can be bought for $1750-2000 from some authorized dealers.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Hell Keith H

What do you think of the Sony ES SCD-XA777ES SACD/CD player. Is the performance going to be that much better than say the Sony ES DVP-S9000 ES or the Pioneer Elite 47a DVD Player? In the SACD reproduction department? If everything goes right I am looking at $1700 when my tax return arrives. If I went the route of the SCD-XA777ES SACD player then I would have to save up for a really good DVD/DVD-A player. This would also impact my receiver upgrade. I am interested in your opinion as well as the opinion of anyone else.

HT Equipment web page coming soon!

 

[KeithH]

Dave, the 'XA777ES will definitely outperform the 'S9000ES and '47A. No question about it. The 'XA777ES is an excellent component, with both CDs and SACDs. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen before you make a purchase. Also remember that the 'XA777ES and '47A play multi-channel and stereo SACDs, but the 'S9000ES only plays stereo SACDs.

Given the other upgrades you are looking into, consider the Sony 'C555ES SACD changer for $600 at J&R Music World (1-800-221-8180). While it isn't as good as the 'XA777ES, it is a very good component for the money. I have two 'C555ES changers (different systems) and am very pleased with the performance with CDs and SACDs as well the build quality for the price. The 'C555ES is definitely worthy of consideration.

 

[ManojM]

Dave,

With a Yamaha receiver, a 222ES would be more than enough for SACD. If you are upgrading the reciver, I would consider the Denon 5803 receiver, or the successor to the 307 which will have PLII etc. The Sunfire Grand 3 is probably going to be a pretty good processor, and it is one of the next generation which will include the upgraded Anthem, the Integra RDC-7, the Bryston SP 1.7, the Aragon Soundstage One, and the Cinepro unit. Combined with a decent or good amp, a pro/amp combo would be very good indeed.

Back to SACD/DVD-A. Since you are looking to upgrade other parts of your system, y choice would be the 555ES for SACD, available for around $600 or just under, which is just a couple of hundred above the 222ES. This would do a very good job for SACD and redbook CD's. A good choice for good PQ and DVD-A would be the Denon 1600 or the Yamaha c920 in the neighborhood of $500. I have not sampled either of these players yet, I am just making an educated guess that the picture quality will be similar to the very good RP56, and the audio quality will be where the rest of the money went and therefore pretty decent. This gives you a very good combo for just over a $1000, and leaves you some money left over for something else. I think that blowing your whole stash on something as high end as a 777ES and still operating with a Yamaha receiver would not bring the best balance to your system.

The other less expensive choice is the aforementioned Philips 962 for SACD and video, and then consider one of the above for DVD-A. Once again, the jury is still out on the 962, so this is a suggestion for investigation only.

 

[KeithH]

Manoj, good points. The 'XA777ES is worthy of consider if Dave could do other upgrades somewhere in the near future. However, I agree that if he would have to stick with the Yamaha receiver for quite awhile, the 'XA777ES would probably not be the best choice. That said, I bought my Sony SCD-777ES when I was still using my Sony STR-V444ES receiver and Energy e:XL 16 bookshelf speakers for music. Back then (October 2000), however, I didn't have lower-cost alternative to choose from. For Dave, I agree that the 'C555ES would be the wise buy along with a comparably priced DVD-Audio player. That could allow him to upgrade the receiver as well.
(Dave, sorry to talk about you like you aren't here. )

 

[Jake RMC]

Dave,
According to your first post -
"Due to budget constrainst I have come to the conclusion that I need a DVD, DVD-A and SACD player. Playing mp3 files is a plus but not necisary"
Only the 47A does this. Everything else, except the Apex, you need to choose between DVD-A or SACD. Only the Pioneer gives you both.

 

[KeithH]

Jake, I guess Dave changed his mind or, at least, is now open to other options. I feel it is wise to be open to other options. If the '47A doesn't do it for him for one reason or another, he could get an SACD player now and a DVD-Audio player later or vice versa. There is no reason for him to force the issue seeing as there is only one real universal player available (the APEX model doesn't count).

 

[Dave Moritz]

I appreciate everyones input this forum is a very good resource for HT. I am just trying to keep my options open to get the best model I can for the money. This is why I have changed my mind after giving the Pioneer 49TX reciever a better listen too. The main goal is if I am spending money to upgrade. I do not want to replace current equipment with something that equals it. It is my goal to get something much better than I have. And although I can play DVD-A's back in Dolby Digital or DTS depending on options available on disc. I also realize that I am not getting the full impact from my DVD-A disc's. My Yamaha has the 5.1 input for DVD-A but I feel moving up to a newer better updated reciever is in my best interest. I would like to upgrade my system up from middle of the road. That is the goal and I have been working on it for a long time now. The Pioneer DV-525 has component video out on it but does not have progressive scan. I have heard the Pioneer 47a DVD/SACD but only with one song. I will be armed with my two SACD's and a selection of formats when my tax return arrives. I am concerned with the build quaity issue on the Pioneer 47a that I have been hearing about. In just outside apperance the Sony ES looks like it is a better built unit although looks isn't allways everything. I hear the Apex is a big piece of junk! Thank you for your input. Does Marantz make a DVD/SACD player and do they make a stand alone SACD? I wonder how it compairs to the Sony if the do make a unit?

Current Options - Pionner Elite, Sony ES and Phillips ?