Looks CD Playback Features

Will not play CDR and CDRW format

What a great player, not much to say that hasn't already been said. I like it for its CD playback. At first I wasn't impressed but later realized I was using the internal D/A in my receiver instead of listening to the 9000. I also started using some vibro pods which seem to help (IMHO). I have tried the SACD but am not as impressed as everyone else with the player/format...could be the equipment I am using. For the $600 I paid for an "open box" this was a steal.

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Wadia 32X Parasound 2000 CAL Sigma II NAD 541

High quality construction, and wonderful SACD sound.

Lack of definition in sound quality on CD, particularly in the mid-bass region.

Many have written about the Sony's positive attributes. While I agree the machine is quite a bargain some things bother me. I find Sony's video noise reduction odd, particularly in making human skin look somewhat pasty. I saw this in some laser disc players. Other than that I find the picture quality very film-like in its naturalness. Another bothersome idiosyncrasy (at least in my case) is it's the only DVD player I've ever used who's digital ouput will not work with my Audio Research DAC-2 d/a converter. The Sony's CD digital audio output works fine with the Audio Research, but when playing DVD's there is no audio. I've tried every option on the setup menu, and so has a franchised Sony repair shop. As a CD player I hear a hump in the mid-bass response, which might be causing the listener fatigue about which others have complained. Since it's the only SACD player I've ever heard I have no comparison, but will say on some SACD disc the sound is astounding. I have not heard sounds this faithful since listening to my Well-Tempered turntable on some of the best LPs in my libary. The Sony DVP-S900ES is worth the price of admission for the SACD playback quality alone! The construction is top-notch. It's a joy to use, and a joy to look at. I only wish the CD sound was a tad better.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research CD-2 CD Player Audio Research DAC-2 d/a Converter

Video/Audio quality

Unreliable electronics

I've been a Sony user for years for its AV products. Sony surely has achieved good technical edges, but in recent years, its deteriorating quality and failure rate of the electronic components are worrying. My 9000SE lost its progressive video output in just less than two years because of a burnt chip. Cost a fortune to fix of course. My AV amp (Sony V55ES) also has also developed periodical problems with its speaker output. It would lose everything unless you turn off the unit and on again to regain output. The AV output quality of Sony products is pleasing, but the costs to maintain Sony products are skyrocketing, and honestly I would have LOTS of second thoughts on buying another high-end Sony AV products. Luck to those of you fellow Sony users!

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Arcam Yamaha Denon Pioneer Toshiba Panasonic

Build quality, looks.

No way to program your cd to play tracks in a specific order unless it is hooked up to a TV.

I am only utilizing this unit for it's cd and sacd capabilities, not for DVDs. It is in the process of breaking in so I will save my final review for a few weeks. The main reason I am writing this review at this time is to let people know that apparently there is no way to program a cd to play tracks in a specific order unless you have it hooked up to a TV.

Excells in everything it was designed for.

SACD catalog is deficient so far.

After fully agreeing with all of the positive reviews of this product so far,I only feel that not enough has been said about the merits of the players SACD playback. The DVP 9000ES delivers stunning DVD playback and is a truly excellent CD player,and the looks and build quality are to die for. All the things we've already heard are true. But the really revelatory thing for me is what SACD can do for the current digital-dilemna,by means of the smoothing out of the dynamic but finally distressing properties inherent in normal CD playback. I would prefer the sound of high-quality vinyl to the sound of a CD if it were not for the inevitable distraction that a needle bouncing around in a plastic groove produces. For after all of the expense(you can easily pay many times more for a state of the art phono section than you would for the best CD player),exacting setup rituals and maintenance headaches,that lovely vinyl player just keeps on with the hiss,scratch,snap,crackle and pop. And no recording engineer will ever keep that needle from jumping out of the groove while trying to reproduce the true low-frequency dynamics of big organ music. But the whole reason some still perservere with vinyl has to do with "air". Those buffering molecules that we need to cushion the digital digits of normal CD playback just are'nt there in abundance. SACD has successfully combined the dynamics and clarity of CD and the "air" and micro-detail of vinyl. I must admit that when I first listened to the SACD sampler included with this player,I did not notice too much difference between CD and SACD. But the SACD circuitry in the 9000ES needs several hundred hours of break-in,almost twice what the CD portion needs,to do what it can. After that,the difference is obvious. Having heard what SACD can do,I am praying that the format actually catches on commercially and the studios finally start recording music in DSD mode instead of simply remastering old PCM or analog recordings in DSD mode. Then we will really have something. In the meanwhile,I will continue to listen to as fine a CD playback as I can hope for via this player,and buy whatever I am able to in SACD.

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Many other CD players and turntables.

good sound

is not a good match for projection device is better in hdtv 1080i tv ready device

this dvd is not a good one i really like more the toshiba 9200 for many reason

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toshiba, integra, denon

This is in addition to my review below, and for those of you that want to use CDRs with this machine. I have had VERY limited success with the Sony CDQ80N3 media, but CDRW discs work flawlessly. (actually works out better, as you can rewrite them as your musical tastes change)! The only minor gripe I had with this unit was the lack of support for CDR/CDRW media.. now that I know that CDRW discs work, I no longer have to upgrade to the new S999ES model (which will apparently support both) coming out in October!

Build quality. Picture and sound quality.

Tray seems a little flimsy.

The first thing I noticed was the sheer weight of the unit (28 pounds). Build quality is exceptional, and fit and finish is excellent. SACD is only two-channel, but there aren't enough titles out on SACD yet to make this an issue for me. The video quality is superb. I have owned DVD players from Denon, and other Sony units - this one is by far the best.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Sony.

build quality, cd/sacd playback, dvd video

none

This sony player simply amazes me every time I listen to it. Both cd and sacd playback are superb. The thing that impressed me the most however was it's build quality and no nonsense appearance. It holds to quality integrity rather than features and frills. My previous dvd player was a midline sony that performed ok but was as light as a feather and felt plasticy and cheap. I still use a harman kardon cd plyr for hdcd and the few cd-r's I own, but I find the sound of the 9000es superior. I'm not to concerned about multichannel sacd and dvd-audio since the future is still uncertain as to their support. I figure a dedicated 2-channel unit has less compromises and still offers the best sound quality. It's great that you can by-pass the video and digital sections for the best possible sound. Oh! by the way it's a great dvd player also!

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none

Cd player is incredible. Looks is awesome.

No balance output, no DTS built in.

Excellent unit, great sounding for just Cd, DVD picture quality is best. SACD not much different comparison to regular CD. Quality build very impressive. Look is a prefect 10.

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Technic A-10