Superb video quality. Dead quiet operation. The fastest try I have ever seen on a lasrdisk player.

12 years old and could be costly to repair. Was $3500 when new!

I have been a laserdisk enthusiast since the introduction of the format. During that time I have owned several different laserdisk players. All of which were Pioneers. Over the past 10 years I have owned, in the following order, a Pioneer CLD-D704, Elite CLD-79, and most recently, a DVL-919. All were very good players, but not spectacular. Last month I decided to give up on the format and sell the DVL-919. The picture was good, but not great. Additionally, it was one of the noisiest players I had owned. After a couple of weeks I was having laserdisk withdrawl. I found a LD-S2 in a second hand audio store that looked as new, never used. I went home and did some research and went back the next day to take it home for a tryout. It weighs almost as much as my Pioneer Elite VSX49TXI! I have run a couple of movies through it and was astonished at just how good the picture was. Very near DVD progressive scan output on a HD TV. Sound is not a factor as I use the dacs from the receiver, which brings up another thought. The LD-S2 is pre AC-3 RF. I used Dolby Prologic II for surround output and again was amazed at how close it was, if not better than AC-3 RF output! Since AC-3 RF is a decade old technology, it has been surpassed by todays decoding/processing chips. I found the bass output to be substantially better in Dolgy Prologic II. After reading all of the reviews here,I have to side with the members that found the LD-S2 to have a superior video output. When you do away with the immense amount of vibration that is caused by the turning mechanism, the multiple trays for different video formats, you eliminate distortion. The construction of the LD-S2 eliminates any vibration that would otherwise effect video quality. Construction is second to none. If you are looking for a fine laserdisk player and have the opportunity to purchase this rare model, it is wrth the price. If you have to have AC-3 RF, this can be upgraded for a nominal cost.

Similar Products Used:

CLD-D704, ELITE CLD-79, DVL-919

LD-S2 WAS THE BEST PIONNER'S LD PLAYER, IF CLD704 OR ANY OTHER LOOKS BETTER THAN LD-S2 FOR YOU, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.

I'm considering buying a LD-S2 for around $750 and would like to talk to Rich from Napa CA. about what he meant by alignment maintenance posted 01/04/2000. Also, the toslink digital out is for DTS as the DTS people designed their discs around the already existing optical out.

Marc

Could someone please give an analysis of the pioneer elite cld-95? I own both a cld-95 and an elite 59. IF anyone out there reads this, I was wondering how the 95 compares to the cld-97 in terms of picture quality as well as comparisons to the cld-59 and 99. thank you

Well after reading the posts below I must concur with Who Cares. The LDS2 is a ten year old machine that just cannot compare to units like the CLD704 and CLD99. I owned an LDS2 for three years before replacing it with the CLD99 and I can tell you that there is NO COMPARISON, the picture and sound are MUCH BETTER on the newer unit.
Since the original reviewer admits to buying "antique equipment" I guess he lower standards or just likes old gears.

Like I said, I owned an LD-S2 (bought it in 1989) and later replaced it with a CLD-99 and a CLD-704 (main and den systems) and the picture was MUCH better than the LD-S2 on my Runco/Dwin/Dalite and XBR-200 systems. But hey, if you're emotionally attached to that 68 lb boat anchor, and don't believe that technology has advanced since the LD-S2 was released back in May 1988.... WHO CARES?!?

Wake up wacko! If your LD-S2 looks better than the CLD-704 than your 704 must be broken, or else you need to get your eyes checked.

Hey You, the guy or gal who doesn't care, It's impolite to call other reviewers "wacko". Most importantly, Yee's review is on the money. YOU REVIEW IS DEAD WRONG. Both the LD-S2 and CLD-97 have noticibly better picture quality than the 704. The 704 has noticibly more lumunance and chroma noise. This leads to a grainier picture noticible only on high quality monitors and projectors. If you see the 704 as better than a LD-S2 then you better buy a better monitor. Your's is obviously inferior.

Rich - From NAPA -

Can you please tell me who retrofitted your LD-S2 for DTS and AC-3 - Im considering having LD-S2 done as well.

What did it cost you - any other suggestions appreciated.

-Scott

I love to collect vintage/antique audio equipment. I believe these pieces of equipment provide a standard by which other models are created. The LD-S2 is a fine example. I was visiting a locally family owned buisiness. What I saw there in front of me could not be happening. There she was:the infamous Elite LD-S2 laserdic player. This was a refurbished model at an incredibly discounted price! I knew that if I could find one these I would purchase one. I did.
This is a massively built machine. Inside are Aluminum Diecast-built parts. This includes a floating mount system. The main transformer and the audio transformer are seperately mounted above the chassis to reduce vibrations. If anybody out there is familiar with laserdisc players these machines can produce all kinds of vibrations. I have yet to feel any kind of noticeable ones with the LD-S2. The previous player I owned used to shake my entire audio rack because of vibrations. Enough said.

I must confess there were two players I had in mind:the Runco LJR-II and the LD-S2. My thoughts were that I would enjoy the double-sided play Runco. The LD-S2 does not play both sides. I can live with this. I can use this time for a bathroom break. This is not possible at a movie theater. Otherwise,the picture quality and sound are completely fascinating. The only thing it lacked was a THX certification,which the Runco has. There was probably a reason for this,and I am sure it was not a performance issue. Lastly,I must complain about the weight of this machine. It comes in at a whopping 80lbs! Yes sir,when I brought her home I was convinced that I had permanantly hurt my back.

The player has the typical features. The outputs are gold-plated. They include s-video outputs,a BNC output,and an optical digital output. I have plans for this when I enter the realm of DTS. BNC outputs are usually seen on professional video equipment. Other features include a processor for reducing picture noise. One final note:the player does not play compact discs. This is okay because I feel a laserdisc player has no buisiness playing a compact disc for any matter. I will always remain a faithful laserdisc customer. For this reason I am glad that I own a player that will carry me thru the next millenium of the audio world and until DVD R&D representatives can come to a conclusion on a DVD standard. Highly recommended.