Well,Hey! after reading all comments about sony-s7000&review on planet hi-fi(http://www.planethifi.com)I decided to purchased it replacing my present transport(marantz cd 17)guys!!!!!!!! grab this sony believe me this is it.!
Everything is crystal clear,but only used it as a transport.I'd give it 3stars as a CD player but 5 gold&5platinum as a transport.

First of all and for the sake of clarification, I have selected "Audio Enthusiast" as the style that best describes me, but just because there are not other extra categories to choose from. Actually, though, a more accurate description of my style would be a "Home Theater Die-Hard & Audio(Music) Enthusiast". I hope this clarification helps to place and understand my comments and review in the right context.
I purchased my SONY DVP-S7000 four months ago (togehter with one TOSHIBA 16:9 40" widescreen PTV) and since that time my home theater experience changed 1000% (hey, the three zeroes are not a typo!), compared to my previous experience based on a $200 JVC VCR and $800 SONY 27" TV.

I have the DVP-S7000 connected to the TOSHIBA via its three component video outlets (by means of MONSTER M1000 SILVER video interconnects), and the picture is absolutely stunning (particularly with anamorphic software). Audio from soundtracks is awesome, too, although I have not listened yet to the full capabilities of Dolby Digital 5.1 format since my CITATION 7.0 pre/pro lacks digital connections (I listen to soundtracks via the "SIX-AXIS" mode of the CITATION, which can be described as an analog semi-5.1, since it offers true
stereo surround. The DVP-S7000 is connected to the CITATION via MONSTER M1000i
RCA audio interconnects).

There is not contest when comparing the picture quality ("crispness", resolution, color saturation, video-noise) of the DVP-S7000 to those of the TOSHIBA and SAMSUNG units owned by friends of mine (all connected to my TOSHIBA 16:9 PTV): the SONY wins hands down. The differences are subtle, to be sure, but clearly noticeable [is like the difference between tasting a properly seasoned dish and one in which the seasoning is slightly over or under the "right point": the quantitative cause ("seasoning") might be minor indeed, but the impact on the qualitative effect ("flavor") is great]. The picture of the TOSHIBA DVD2006 player, in particular, exhibits a fairly constant "yellowish" tint.

With regard to audio-only listening (although I am not as critical in this aspect as compared to home-theater listening), I could inmediately appreciate the clear edge of audio resolution offered by the DVP-S7000 over my previous $200 SONY CD player. Perhaps, a minor quibble in this particular is that the resolution of the DVP-S7000 is so good that (mass-market) CDs whose sound I used to love when played in the cheap SONY now sound "bright". Clearly, the fault is not in the DVP-S7000 but in the software. On the other hand, when playing audio-
phile software (ie. CHESKY, AUDIOQUEST, etc.) the result is pure joy.

Robustness and quality of construction and finish of the DVP-S7000 looks and feels first rate. No complain whatsoever in this regard.

The overall rating of 5 stars that I am giving to the DVP-S7000 is based solely on its home-theater performance (and not audio-only), because this is the aspect that I care most. My rating does not deny the possibility that high-end machines from FAROUDJA and MERIDIAN could (slightly) outperform the DVP-S7000; it only indicates that, to date, this is the best performance that I have experienced either at home or elsewhere.

A potential problem for some buyers could be the lack of DTS capability of the DVP-S7000. I believe this is not a problem for most buyers, because: 1) DTS software is still scarce, 2) Independent tests are showing that differences between DTS and Dolby Digital are just minors (not "day and night") and mostly software-dependent, and 3) it seems that SONY has announced the availability of an external DTS decoder sometime in the near future.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I will describe my home-theater rig. Since I am still in the process of upgrading my system, any pro or con comments on these components would be highly appreciatted (my e-mail is as follows: mfcf@ep.pdv.com):

1. TOSHIBA 16:9 40" widescreen PTV.

2. CITATION 7.0 THX preamplifier/processor (*).

3. TWO(2) CITATION 7.1 THX POWER AMPLIFIERS (150 W X 4 ch.) (*).

4. CITATION 7.3 dual-drive THX surround speakers (*).

(*) NOTE: CITATION brand is manufactured by MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES.

5. NHT 1.8 floorstanding speakers (left and right).

NOTE: I am considering to upgrade the front speakers. Candidates so far
are: CITATION 7.2 THX L/C/R speakers, LEGACY AUDIO FOCUS, B&W 801
Series 3. Any suggestion/comments would be highly appreciated.

6. NHT ZERO speaker (center).

NOTE: I am considering to upgrade the center speaker. Any suggestions that
are compatible with suggestions above for the L&R speakers????

7. CERWIN-VEGA 12" passive subwoofer SW-12B.

NOTE: I am considering to upgrade the subwoofer. Candidates so far are:
CITATION 7.4 THX, LEGACY AUDIO PEACEMAKER, VELODYNE F1800II. Any
sugestions????

8. SONY DVP-S7000 DVD/CD player.

9. AUDIOCONTROL "BIJOU" SEVEN-CHANNEL THX EQUALIZER.

10. RCA DIRECT TV DSS.

11. INTERCONNECTS & SPEAKER CABLES:

A. MONSTER M1000 SILVER video (Three RCA cables from DVD player component video outlets to TOSHIBA PTV inputs. Two S-video cables: one from DIRECT TV box to CITATION 7.0 and one from the 7.0 to TOSHIBA PTV).

B. MONSTER M1000i audio (from DVD player to CITATION 7.0).

C. MIT MI-330 PLUS SERIES TWO RCA (REST OF THE WIRING).

D. MONSTER POWERLINE 3 PLUS SPEAKER CABLE (front speakers).

E. LIBERTY THX-certified EXTRAFLEX FOUR CONDUCTORS (surround speakers).

NOTE: Any suggestions on interconnects & cables????

12. PRICE WHEELER/BRICKWALL (120 V, 20 A) AUDIOPHILE LINE CONDITIONER.


I appreciate this opportunity as well as the helpful suggestions that audio enthusiasts/audiophiles out there migh have.

Warmest regards to everyone.

José Vicente Gomez

I've had this CD player for about 6 months now and have yet to experience anything better on the market. I use my player for music and I have to say that this unit blows and kicks ass. I have a cheap Sony cd player that I used to play my music with before I started using this DVD player. When using the DVD player I hear more vocals compared to my other cheap cd player. The DVD produces clean and accurate sounds beyond my wildest imagination. I use my DVD whenever I'm listening to music because it's cleaner and more crisp than anything else I've listen to on the market. I give this unit a 5 star.

Great machine but doesn't pass DTS signal for DVD. This will present a problem at first Q99 when DTS starts launching DTS DVD's.The new DVP S7700 will be out before christmas so you may want to hold off on the purchase.

Today I bought the Sony DVP-S7000 DVD player. It is Sony's flagship and the industry reference standard. In so doing, I am moving the Denon D2000 in the basement.
Right now, while supplies last, Sony dropped S-7000 prices to $699-$799, depending on the store. Call around before you buy so you can get the best $$$. It was selling for $1075 at the store I paid $699. That was last week!
The reason is they have the S-7700 coming out in early 1999 and they want to deplete S-7000 inventory prior to launch. The new will looks identical and offers DTD - only DD on the S-7000, but I do not care about DTS - as the change. Sound, otherwise, and picture will remain the same, so says the sales guy at United Audio (don't trust those sneeks!)

It is without question the best one out there and excels in sound and picture. The new Denon D5000 is said to be the new bets one, but it goes for $2500 and I do noth see a $1800 difference when viewing side by side on a Sony XBR 35 inch.

Highly recommend anyone who wants to just get better DVD performance to get this. The store I bought it from only has 1 left, and I just may get that one too, for the bedroom.

i just got this unit for$699. I think I can still get a better price. I plan to shop around in the area. Aside from that the picture this machine puts out is top notch. Anyone who says all dvd's are the same in this price range are crazy. The colors and sharpness this unit gives is close to perfect. I compared this unit in my home, that's right I bought a JVC 501, a Sony 300, And a Proscan with divx. All the stores in my area know me on a first name basis now (that's bad). But anyway I feel that the proscan put out a more natural sound,but the picture was average. The sony300, did a good job but was very basic, the sound also seemed more filtered, but the low end sounded very rich. The JVC did well in all catagories, and offered DTS as the proscan did. The sonys7000 blew them all away in sound, picture quality and extra features.Especially in the ff and rev scan. The proscan and the jvc both had picture jitters when the frame stopped before advancing, looked bad. overall, this unit is the way to go if you want $2000.00 player quality at a great price. And buy the way, divx is for people who still don't mind watching vhs tapes i myself can't stoop to that level ever again

EVERYONE OWING A DVD OR CD PLAYER PLEASE READ. VIDEO PERFORMANCE IS FIRST RATE, ESPECIALLY COMPONENT VIDEO. AS A TRANSPORT ALSO FIRST CLASS. AS A STAND ALONE CD PLAYER OK. IMO ALL SONY CD PLAYERS ARE BRIGHTTTTTT. I ONCE OWNED I BELIEVE A 2,000.00 X77ES AFTER LISTENING FOR ABOUT A WEEK I PUT BACK MY EL CHEAPO ROTEL 855. NOW THE IMPORTANT ISSUE, I HAVE TWO GOLDEN RETRIEVERS, LAST MONTH THE 7000 REFUSED TO TURN ON, IT MADE 3 CLICKS AND JUST SHUT DOWN. AFTERMUCH FUSSING I GOT IT TO PLAY, ONLY TO SHUT DOWN AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO? TO THE SHOP I THOUGHT. AFTER STARRING AT THE UNIT FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES I GOT A PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER AND GENTLY REMOVED THE COVER. THEN I REMOVED TWO SCREWS HOLDING DOWN THE TRANSPORT COVER. GOT MY FLASHLIGHT AND GUESS WHAT I FOUND? 1 FOUR INCH DOG HAIR COVERING THE LASER LENS. REMOVED SAME . AND YES THE UNIT WORKED FLAWLESSLY.LAST WEEK SAME THING HAPPENED, REMOVED CD AND TURNED OVER ONLY TO SEE 1 DOG HAIR ON DISC. CHECK YOUR CD IF YOU OWN ANY HAIRY PET OR EVEN A WIFE WITH LONG HAIR. BACK TO THE 7000, I A-B d UNIT WITH DENON 5000 AND AFTER MUCH STARRING AT PICTURE QUALITY I CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION, SOMETIMES I PREFERRED THE DENON OTHER TIMES THE SONY. IT IS A GREAT UNIT AS THE 7700 IS ALSO IF ONLY IT DID NOT LIKE DOG HAIR.

Well, me wanting to be the first one on my block to get one, I paid $950 in Dec '97 and play it currently on a '36 XBR Sony flatscreen (using component jacks) it kicks... It still blows most everything else out of the water. I'd be interested to confirm the rumor that it will pass DTS, any more info on this? The only thing I wish it had that the 7700 has is auto DD 5.1 (goes automatically to the 5.1 soundtrack), but otherwise, still the reference standard for me.

just picked it up from circut city for $379.00 open box cost alone is 800 man what a deal can't wait to get home a set this puppy up. If the reviews on this sight are any indication of what's to come all i can think is how lucky i am to be in the right place at the right time. well off to enjoy it!

I have had this unit for well over a year and found it to be very reliable with a great picture, and very good sound. I have about 180 DVD's so we have given it quite a workout. I think the sound from CD's is really good too.

The biggest at this point is that it is not DTS compatible. Every once in a long while a DVD will have trouble loading, but I just open the drawer and reset the DVD and it seems to work well. There have a few disks that have crashed, but after taking them out and cleaning the surface I haven't noticed any other problems. Some disks show artifacts.

I have had really good luck with this DVD player and am glad I sprung the extra bucks for it, even though other Sony players quickly came out with many of the same features and half the price. I have to take one star because it is not DTS compatible, even though I have few DTS DVDs. It seems to be really built well. Great sound and picture!! Value rating is lower for me because I bought it when it first came out for $900.00.