Oppo or Denon for SACD/DVD-A?

[deepak]

I've finally accumulated enough SACD and DVD-A titles that both of these players are cheap enough to probably warrant a purchase. A used 2900 on Audiogon is roughly $200. And there are so many Oppo models I don't know which are the good ones. Video playback doesn't matter, it won't be used. Or any other options in the $200 range that I didn't think of. I like a slightly warmer sound, not the stereotypical "digital playback", so from reading this is sort of pushing me towards the Denons.

Modding capability is a plus since I wouldn't be opposed to that in the future. Basically I'm tired of spending so long figuring out the copy protection on DVD-A discs tearing my hair out trying to rip them to my PC (plus one of my favorite bands is continuing to heavily support DVD-A).

[tkam]

For audio you'd be better off with the used Denon.

[n_maher]

The only thing that I can add is that Ian had a 2910 and was pretty unimpressed with it for redbook playback. High-res might be a different story though.

[postjack]

Let me hijack this thread, since I've considered trying out one of these cheaper universal players. What are the differences between the 2900 and 3910?

[grawk]

Let me hijack this thread, since I've considered trying out one of these cheaper universal players. What are the differences between the 2900 and 3910?

1010

[postjack]

1010

definitely worth the upgrade then, IMO.

[deepak]

Early hijack ftl

And yeah this will only be for high res.

[deepak]

Alright since the modded 2900 fairs so well I'm thinking either a used 2900 or 2910, live with it for a while then take it from there.

Now is it a no brainer to go for the 2910, or is the 2900 better in some way?

[en480c4]

IIRC, the 2910 is a considered a step down from the 2900... It's a misleading model number because they recofigured their line and the 2900 is more in line with the 3910 than the 2910.

The only thing that I can add is that Ian had a 2910 and was pretty unimpressed with it for redbook playback. High-res might be a different story though.

I was very unimpressed with the 2910 for redbook. Blah!

[deepak]

Thanks Ian, Google agrees. Now the wait to find the seemingly rarer silver units

[n_maher]

Thanks Ian, Google agrees. Now the wait to find the seemingly rarer silver units

Are you kidding, the last time I looked for a 3910 all I could find was silver??!?

[luvdunhill]

1010

10?

[deepak]

Are you kidding, the last time I looked for a 3910 all I could find was silver??!?

Most of the 29xx units on the Gon right now are black. And ebay as well (ended auctions too).

[JBLoudG20]

1010

:rofl: :dance:

:prettyprincess: :prettyprincess: DAN :prettyprincess: :prettyprincess: :prettyprincess:

[JBLoudG20]

also:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Denon-DVD-2900-DVD-Player-Progressive-Scan-SCAD-NR_W0QQitemZ300191878732QQihZ020QQcategoryZ15077QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[John D.]

I've had an OPPO 970 for about a year now.

I use it only for audio, no video, listen to SACD,

DVD-A and HDCD with it. I talked to an OPPO rep

and he recommended the 970 for audio only play.

I have no complaints, sounds nice.

Cheers,

JD

[purk]

Buy the Denon 2900 and send it to eXemplar to get it mods!! Have u considered buying the DVP-9000ES for a SACD playback only?

[deepak]

Has to have DVD-A. Those modding companies charge quite a bit. If anything I'll probably just replace the output stage with either a Zap or something tubed. 95% of my music listening is still redbook, which I have a pretty nice system for.

[purk]

Has to have DVD-A. Those modding companies charge quite a bit. If anything I'll probably just replace the output stage with either a Zap or something tubed. 95% of my music listening is still redbook, which I have a pretty nice system for.

The modding the Denon was meant to be as a joke although I much prefer the modifications by Modwright and eXemplar and R. Kern over anything that deal with the Zap Filter. The 2900 is built significantly better than the 2910 if you want to pick the Denon. You might want to look into Pioneer universal units as well. I own the A47i and A59i and think of them pretty highly. Although both units were modded by Modwright.