Harman Kardon DVD31 vs. Marantz DV4500

[anamorphic96]

I seriously doubt it. Keep in mind that the innards of that player are manufactured by Company X, who then sends them to 20-25 other companies who put their brand name on them. You'd probably be surprised at how many players on the market are the exact same thing as the H/K once you pop the lid.

I'm not saying that transports can't be different, but not in this price range.

You never know. I have seen and heard stranger things.

Subtle things can sometimes change things in the end.

[N. Abstentia]

HK does NOT make every part in their DVD players themselves. It's a budget line.

There's probably 1-2 companies who make the transports for all DVD players that exist. Another one makes optical pickups. One more makes power supplies. How many actual companies there are I have no idea.

I remember going to a 'boutique' audio shop a while back and under a glass display they had a $99 Toshiba DVD player and a $399 Denon...both with the lids off. Guess what? Identical innards. I actually found that very odd, as I'm sure they could make more money off the Denon.

[shokhead]

HK does NOT make every part in their DVD players themselves. It's a budget line.

There's probably 1-2 companies who make the transports for all DVD players that exist. Another one makes optical pickups. One more makes power supplies. How many actual companies there are I have no idea.

I remember going to a 'boutique' audio shop a while back and under a glass display they had a $99 Toshiba DVD player and a $399 Denon...both with the lids off. Guess what? Identical innards. I actually found that very odd, as I'm sure they could make more money off the Denon.

I'm not questioning you{well maybe} but when you use probably and i have no idea,then maybe we are not sure? You consider HK a budget line,i dont. Is that difference from your budget or mine?

[shokhead]

I'd like to see how others place brands. For me i put HK and Marantz a click infront of in no order,Denon,Yamaha,Sony,Pioneer,Onkyo as far as Receivers and DVD players and a click below those JVC and Kenwood and i'm not saying those are crap but there mid to low end isnt as good as the others mid to low end and i might have this all screwed up but its only imo.

[N. Abstentia]

LOL! Yes H/K is a budget priced line of equipment. You think a $199 DVD changer is expensive? You might want to shop around at some high end shops!

[shokhead]

I dont do high end shops,out of my price range and i'm not the type to buy something i should'nt have to impress others.

[jasmit]

Here's a link to a recent DVD benchtest of several players, including the DVD31. The focus in this one was on video performance.