Topic: DVD Players: Pioneer ELITE DV-47Ai or Sony DVP-7700

[lds490]

Any thoughts or experience with either of these models for primarily 2 channel audio.

I've been wanting a used high end DVD player for a while.  The other day I placed bids on several units for sale on Ebay.  I felt that the bids were fair deals but did not really expect to win.  Well, now I am the proud owner of a Pioneer DV-47Ai and a Sony DVP-7700.

Lessons learned: Never assume you will be out-bid in an auction and only bid on one item at a time.

I will probably keep only one and sell the other (anybody interested?).  The Pioneer is a newer model with some additional features, but was substantially more expensive than the Sony.  Both are highly rated.  I think I'll demo both in my system for a while keep the one I like more. 

[Kyle]

Any thoughts or experience with either of these models for primarily 2 channel audio.

I've been wanting a used high end DVD player for a while.  The other day I placed bids on several units for sale on Ebay.  I felt that the bids were fair deals but did not really expect to win.  Well, now I am the proud owner of a Pioneer DV-47Ai and a Sony DVP-7700.

Lessons learned: Never assume you will be out-bid in an auction and only bid on one item at a time.

I will probably keep only one and sell the other (anybody interested?).  The Pioneer is a newer model with some additional features, but was substantially more expensive than the Sony.  Both are highly rated.  I think I'll demo both in my system for a while keep the one I like more. 

drop me a line if you decide to sell the Pioneer....
from what I understand the ilink will send an encrypted DSD stream out as well as 24/96 DVD-A; pick up a Sony STR-DA900ES and I'm set (I think)....

[lds490]

Well, I received the Sony 7700 yesterday and I am very pleased with it.  I'm running the digi out to my DAC.  Maybe it is my imagination, but I think it sounds much better than the Toshiba 3960.  I also played a movie DVD on it and the picture is vastly superior.    I'm getting close to having my system completed (for a little while).

[Kyle]

Well, I received the Sony 7700 yesterday and I am very pleased with it.  I'm running the digi out to my DAC.  Maybe it is my imagination, but I think it sounds much better than the Toshiba 3960.  I also played a movie DVD on it and the picture is vastly superior.    I'm getting close to having my system completed (for a little while).

It's not your imagination - the dac on the 3960 leaves much to be desired....

[Nick's Picks]

i'm also in the market for a new deck.

I've got a toshiba sd9200.  flagship from 2001 DVDV/A player.  a real tank of a transport.
however, the video ...i'm not all that impressed with since getting a new TV that can do 1080i.  now I want a deck that excells at video as well, and upsamples from 480>1080 as well as provide DVDA and SACD(but that last option is not a necessity).

so whats hot right now?  I have not been looking really.  I'm sure I could get a $100 dvd player from a dept. store that would smoke my Toshibas video output.

[scervin]

Why not get a player that can output 480i via HDMI and let the set do the rest?  Do feel the internal scaler is not all that?  Could also just run 480i via component.

I see 3 options for decent prices.

1. Onkyo SP1000 $1600-1800
pros: great pic (I mean really great), best audio I've heard, build quality top notch, easy to use
cons: lip sync with some displays

2. Denon 3910 $1100
pros: good sound, service great (firmware updates)
con: DCDi (faroudja FL 2310 chip) issues

3. Pioneer 79ai
pros: 480i over HDMI
cons: some pic issues

The other way to go is to mod one of the above with SDI and use DVDo VP30 scaler. $$$$$

[Nick's Picks]

my problem...

my TV has a single DVI input.  , and its being used by my cable box. 
to get an upsampling DVD deck, i would need two digital inputs (new TV..ain't happenin), or a "switch box", which I know exists for HDMI interfaces, but not for DVI.  So i'd need a HDMI cable, a DVI>HDMI cable and a HDMI>DVI cable to the TV in order to make that work.

I do 480i over componant now.  not all that impressed.

[scervin]

my problem...

my TV has a single DVI input.  , and its being used by my cable box. 
to get an upsampling DVD deck, i would need two digital inputs (new TV..ain't happenin), or a "switch box", which I know exists for HDMI interfaces, but not for DVI.  So i'd need a HDMI cable, a DVI>HDMI cable and a HDMI>DVI cable to the TV in order to make that work.

I do 480i over componant now.  not all that impressed.

Problem solved partner

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/hd-DVI-2x1.htm

[Nick's Picks]

thats what I need.  but damn... $250!  thats a spicey meatball

[Nick's Picks]

http://cgi.ebay.com/HDMI-DVI-Audio-Video-Selector-Switch-Switcher-Splitter_W0QQitemZ9709743839QQcategoryZ64596QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[nickgregory]

if your looking for something on a budget, I cant recommend the Pioneer elite dv-45a enough...audio wise plays everything I throw at it, and from a picture perspective, it was a huge improvement over the samsung HD-841 I used (which supposedly updsampled)...the pioneer picture is crisper and much more well defined....this is all through the component cables hook up...the player can be found for anywhere from $200-$270 new...

[kindms]

if your looking for something on a budget, I cant recommend the Pioneer elite dv-45a enough...audio wise plays everything I throw at it, and from a picture perspective, it was a huge improvement over the samsung HD-841 I used (which supposedly updsampled)...the pioneer picture is crisper and much more well defined....this is all through the component cables hook up...the player can be found for anywhere from $200-$270 new...

after reading all the good things said about this unit I picked 1 up and couldn't be happier. Just as mentioned it plays everything I throw at it. All the DVD-Rs I burned using wavelab (that had a slight pause using toshiba 4960) miracoulously play back with NO pauses. It sounds great. the picture is great. It hasn't done anything flaky like the $40.00 DVD player. I Love it

[Tim]

if your looking for something on a budget, I cant recommend the Pioneer elite dv-45a enough...audio wise plays everything I throw at it, and from a picture perspective, it was a huge improvement over the samsung HD-841 I used (which supposedly updsampled)...the pioneer picture is crisper and much more well defined....this is all through the component cables hook up...the player can be found for anywhere from $200-$270 new...

I was wondering if this was still a hot budget player.

sounds like it still is... good to hear

[lds490]

My 47A arrived and it is great.  Unlike the Sony, it plays all of my discs without any problems and it outputs 24/96 via the digi out.  The Sony is several years old and it downsamples my 24/96 recordings to 24/48.  It's on-board DAC handles 24/96 which was a big thing when it was first on the market, but I have an external DAC and want my transport to output 24/96.  If I had paid a little closer attention, I would have caught this before I purchased it. 

My only criticism of the Pioneer is the build quality.  The Sony is built like a tank, which is what I expected from the top of the line.  The 47A is flimsy by comparison.  Still, I would recommend the 47A or the 45A if you want something a little less expensive.  Of course, I am already jonesing for the next upgrade.  I'm thinking of sending it to Emperical Audio for mods.

I'm selling the Sony on Audiogon, but if I don't get a decent offer I'll just keep it as a backup.