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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: nickgregory on February 11, 2007, 09:06:01 PM

Title: ISO a new transport
Post by: nickgregory on February 11, 2007, 09:06:01 PM
Looking to replace the CD player in my office system so that I can play 24 bit recordings back (utilized both DVD-A and DVD-V authored discs).  I will be going analog out of the player to my NAD 7175PE integrated (older receiver, doesnt have digital inputs), so I am looking for something that has good quality d/a conversion built in and solid transport.  In quick perusal through audiogon, I am looking at the toshiba SD-9200, marantz dv-6400 and the denon 2900 as they all appear to be available used in the price range I am looking for (~$450).  Any input on these units, or other units I should be considering?

Thanks in advance....
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 12, 2007, 07:51:43 AM
I enjoyed the heck out of my toshiba SD9200.  that thing is a TANK.  excellent transport.  I'd say its in another class of decks than the others.  this was the flagship of toshibas line circa 1999/2000.  It was $2k new.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: nickgregory on February 12, 2007, 07:52:32 AM
I enjoyed the heck out of my toshiba SD9200.  that thing is a TANK.  excellent transport.  I'd say its in another class of decks than the others.  this was the flagship of toshibas line circa 1999/2000.  It was $2k new.

thanks Nick...how would you rate the D/A conversion or did you only use it as a transport?
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 12, 2007, 08:01:30 AM
the D/A is top notch...from 10 years ago.
I dont recall if it upsamples or not.  I do recall being very dissapointed in my LITE DAC 60 as it didn't improve the sound at all comparred to the analog output of the toshiba.
that is...until I rolled tubes in it.
but...still, its a class A deck.  no slouch.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 12, 2007, 08:01:46 AM
oh, it also does HDCD as well.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: carlbeck on February 12, 2007, 11:04:21 AM
I am looking for the same thing, another contender in the used for $350 crowd is the Denon 2910. I may end up with one of these or the Toshiba's.

Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Brian Skalinder on February 12, 2007, 11:28:35 AM
Home office or work-site office?  If the former, I suggest considering PC-based playback:  Foobar > soundcard S/PDIF out > DAC > integrated.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: nickgregory on February 12, 2007, 11:30:56 AM
Home office or work-site office?  If the former, I suggest considering PC-based playback:  Foobar > soundcard S/PDIF out > DAC > integrated.

home office, and I would do this (and look into upgrading my integrated to take a digi in) except about half of my listening is studio released stuff...so CD/DVD-A/SACD playback are important in my decision...
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: nickgregory on February 12, 2007, 11:46:37 AM
and I may end up with the pioneer elite dv-45, as I have one downstairs and already know what its capability is...have a line on a fantastic deal for it...will see if it is still available...
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: jdawg on February 12, 2007, 02:58:23 PM
I just recently bought a Denon 2910 and couldn't be happier. Bought used ~$330. I even did side by side comparisons with a Bel canto PL-2, and imo, the difference was minimal. I also did some experimenting with the 2910 going digital out to a Bel canto DAC 2, and again, little, if any difference that I could detect. Of course, room dynamics, speaker setup, and a whole bunch of other factors go into the equation. With that said, I think you'll find the Denon 2910 to have a wonderful DAC and you'd be hard pressed to improve it with an outboard DAC (within rea$on). And if you could, might as well just get an updated player for that kind of money.





Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: scervin on February 12, 2007, 06:23:05 PM
I just recently bought a Denon 2910 and couldn't be happier. Bought used ~$330. I even did side by side comparisons with a Bel canto PL-2, and imo, the difference was minimal. I also did some experimenting with the 2910 going digital out to a Bel canto DAC 2, and again, little, if any difference that I could detect. Of course, room dynamics, speaker setup, and a whole bunch of other factors go into the equation. With that said, I think you'll find the Denon 2910 to have a wonderful DAC and you'd be hard pressed to improve it with an outboard DAC (within rea$on). And if you could, might as well just get an updated player for that kind of money.



My experience with the 2910 was much different.  Just didn't do it for me audio wise.  I thought the 2900 was closer to the 39XX series which are much better units.  The SP1000 bested them all though in MCA and 2 channel, but if using as just a transport the 2910 would be fine. 
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: nickgregory on February 12, 2007, 08:47:05 PM
I just recently bought a Denon 2910 and couldn't be happier. Bought used ~$330. I even did side by side comparisons with a Bel canto PL-2, and imo, the difference was minimal. I also did some experimenting with the 2910 going digital out to a Bel canto DAC 2, and again, little, if any difference that I could detect. Of course, room dynamics, speaker setup, and a whole bunch of other factors go into the equation. With that said, I think you'll find the Denon 2910 to have a wonderful DAC and you'd be hard pressed to improve it with an outboard DAC (within rea$on). And if you could, might as well just get an updated player for that kind of money.



My experience with the 2910 was much different.  Just didn't do it for me audio wise.  I thought the 2900 was closer to the 39XX series which are much better units.  The SP1000 bested them all though in MCA and 2 channel, but if using as just a transport the 2910 would be fine. 

If I recall correctly you also had a DV-45A as well...how did it compare to the 2900 for analog out in your opinion?
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Lil Kim Jong-Il on February 12, 2007, 08:49:47 PM
I also did some experimenting with the 2910 going digital out to a Bel canto DAC 2, and again, little, if any difference that I could detect.

I heard a similar comment regarding the 2900 vs DAC-2, that the DAC-2 was better but not enough to justify the additional cost compared to getting a higher end player.  Another member brought over a 24-bit DAC one evening and there was a difference but it was close enough that I lost interest in getting an external DAC and spent the money to bi-amp.  The 2900  alone has been satisfying for me.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: carlbeck on February 14, 2007, 06:54:04 AM
I ended up purchasing a Denon 3800 on Agon. I was listening to my Onkyo SP-1000 last night & can't wait to compare the two when I have both in my hands. The Onkyo is a VERY nice universal player so this should be a fun "test"
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 14, 2007, 07:39:06 AM
nice deck Carl.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: nickgregory on February 14, 2007, 07:52:27 AM
nice Carl.  I am actually thinking I will get another Pioneer Elite DV-45A for my office system (already have one and know what I am getting myself into) and when I get the 3rd floor system picked out, I will likely be going with the Denon 2900...
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: scervin on February 14, 2007, 06:51:22 PM
I remember thinking the 3800 was bested by the 2900 for audio.  ???
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: carlbeck on February 14, 2007, 07:04:20 PM
I remember thinking the 3800 was bested by the 2900 for audio.  ???

Sounds like my luck  ;D I figured it should be like the 3910 as the 2900 is like the 2910? We'll find out next week when it get's here, I am not afraid to sell something.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: scervin on February 15, 2007, 10:38:16 AM
Carl,

Search around, but from what I remember the 3910 is more like 2900 and the 3800 was from the lower end 2200 series. 

My guess is the Onkyo will rule as it bested the 3910.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: carlbeck on February 15, 2007, 10:49:00 AM
I will check but a quick thing when I looked at the 3800 I can see in the spec's it does weigh more than the 2900 & my thinking was that it is a more robust unit? Maybe I am crazy, the Onkyo will rule but it has to go.
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: Nick's Picks on February 16, 2007, 08:06:16 AM
I think thats just a couple of extra gerbils in there.  though, they call it a "transport upgrade"
 :lol:
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: carlbeck on February 16, 2007, 08:15:43 AM
Why are you missing some gerbils Nick?   8)
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: pjdavep on February 16, 2007, 01:37:50 PM

Nick,

I've been real happy with my Onkyo SP800 at home.  It sounds great out of the analog outs and I beleive it was the "one step down from the reference SP1000" player.  They retailed new for over $750 a year or two ago, but seem to go real cheap in the used market.  I've seen them for $300 on A-gon.  There's one on eBay right now for well under $100 with a couple days to go.  It's not nearly the tank that the SP1000 is, so not sure if that that's something you are looking at.  It has played everything I put in it.

My Denon 2200 at the office is also pretty solid, but I only using the digital out.  Sometimes it will have trouble reading a disc and will result in a skip.  I think that's because the previous owner was a smoker.  The thing reeked when I got it  >:(   That's something I didn't think to ask before purchasing!

Later,
   pjdavep
Title: Re: ISO a new transport
Post by: carlbeck on February 16, 2007, 03:31:44 PM
Honestly I never even thought of the other Onkyo's to replace my 1000, duh!