DVD-A under $200 and a few ???????'s

[toenail]

Since I'm in the market for entry level DVD-A players I've done some research and learned quite a bit. It looks like there are several players available for under $200 that offer multi format capability. Of particular interest is the Pioneer DV-578A @$149. Anything I should worry about with this particular model?

Also, what exactly are the bass management issues I keep hearing about? I'm under the impression that the HT receiver would handle boost/cut and phase. Why the need for the player to do it as well?

[N. Abstentia]

The receiver will not handle any bass management, crossover, or level adjustment functions because the DVD-A player will use the multi channel analog inputs and not a digital input. Might want to verify that your receiver has the correct inputs first.

[toenail]

My receiver has 6 multichannel analog inputs on the back. They are labeled as for 5.1 set-up. So since my sub plays in phase without adjustment already, my concerns would be x-over frequency and output level for the sub frequencies? I need to make sure that the DVD-A player offers these features? Does it also need to offer time alignment/output adjustment for all the other channels in order to set up for optimum, or do these functions remain active in the HT receiver?

Also curious, where do folks purchase DVD-A titles? I asked at Circus City and the salesgirl had no idea what I was talking about.

[N. Abstentia]

Yes, the player will need to have all those functions. That's one reason why I chose the Marantz DV-6400 player.

There is one record store near me that sells DVD-A and SACD titles, and it's a small local chain. They have a very limited selection, so I order most of my DVD-A discs from www.dvdempire.com and SACD's from www.tower.com

Also, if you are by chance looking into the Bob Dylan SACD's, they are available at the BMG and Columbia House record clubs as free selections.

[toenail]

In further researching the Pioneer mentioned above I've found that it does have both base management and time delay functions for the other channels. I did not see mention of output adjustment for the other channels. Unfotunately the Pioneer website is not cooperating and I can't seem to get the complete specs for it. The model I'm interested in is not listed under product manuals. I can't find it to view it and see exactly what it can do and how.

[kexodusc]

toenail: Try researching the DV-563a, the predecessor (last year's) model...You should be able to find a manual for it, and changes this are probably extremely small, if at all...Good point of reference.

[toenail]

Thanks for the advice Kex. I was able to register on their site and view the specs for the DV-563a. It does offer distance and output level control for all channels. It also has a test tone generator to help with this process. I think I may grab one of these players this afternoon and give it a whirl.

[toenail]

Good news/Bad news

I got the DV-578A today. At a glance it doesn't appear to have output level control for the individual channels, but does have distance compensation. I just got home and am going to fiddle for a bit and see if I can learn more.

[toenail]

Despite what I've read online I've not found any adjustment for output level control for any channels on this unit during 5.1 analog playback. It does have distance, just not output level. I can't find a test tone generator either. Fortunately I use a dedicated subwoofer amp with separate volume control and can adjust that independently. Oddly enough, there doesn't seem to be a problem with output levels being off kilter, despite the fact that I sit 4 feet one of my rear surrounds and 10 feet from the center/mains. Perhaps the time alignment is more crucial? I was able to verify this by watching several Matrix scenes that I'm very familiar with, in 5.1 analog. The depth front to back, the height, the rear effects, the overhead sweeps all seemed right on. Sound quality actually seemed better than with DD through coax (see other thread).

At a glance this unit seems like a great find but I've not had the opportunity to try DVD-A with it yet.

[toenail]

Some further findings about this new dvd player. Output level control for the 5.1 channels is still handled by the HT receiver, despite what I've been told previously. That would explain why my output levels seemed spot on during initial testing with scenes from Matrix. It makes me wonder if the distance settings are also retained by the HT receiver and whether they are redundant if selected on the DVD player. Also makes me wonder about x-over frequency, though the separate tracks from the original 5.1 recording should address most of that issue. I'll have to experiment with both.

Two channel stereo cd playback is phenominal when compared to my old cd player. Like having a whole new music library. I doubt everyone would find this to be true, it has a lot to do with how poor my old player was. Listening to SRV's The Sky is Crying disc, track #4. Stunning accuracy of drumhead placement, (left to right and front to back) and realism of sound quality. Like a guy playing right in my living room. What amazes me is that I can sense this even at listening levels down to -50db. Image is entirely holographic. Sounds like you could reach out and touch it. I'm pretty much in heaven.

[kexodusc]

Toenail: I've seen you post to a few threads since you got this unit.
I'm looking at getting a decent, cheap unit for my fiancee's folks for Christmas. The old guy loves classical CD's and already owns a few DVD-A's and SACD's but doesn't have a player.

Could you explain to me whether the receiver does or does not do level adjustment, and delay adjustment when receiving signals via 5.1 analog input from your player?
I didn't think it would.
If the receiver doesn't what can this DVD player do as far as:
1) channel level control
2) time delay settings
3) subwoofer bass management
again, assuming the signal is coming through the 5.1 analog cables.

Looking forward to your review on this unit, the 563A was a big hit here last year, I don't know what changes were made to this one other than price dropping, but I hope it's every bit as good.