Video image and audio sound.

None

My first DVD Player
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I've owned the Sony DVP-7700 previously. This player was incedible for picture quality. Then I upgraded my 4x3 Sony tube to a Toshiba 16x9 projection screen (professionally calibrated). The jump in physical size required me to get a DVDO line doubler to reduce image flicker, big bump up in picture quality due to progressive scan image. I was quite pleased with the combination.

The new Sony 9000 ES
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This player blew me away in all aspects. The video is now progressive scan. But the progressive scan circuitry is only HALF the story, Sony has done a tremendous job with image processing noise reduction. Sony has also increased the digital sampling precision rates to double (from the previous 7700) the gradiations in each color channel. In short, the picture quality is much better than my last configuration mentioned above.

The unit has separate components for video and audio. All of the purists out there will appreciate this, you can shut down the video components and run the unit in a "pure audio" mode for listening to CDs.

The unit is connected to my STR-777ES reciever. Just as a test, I wanted to see if I could hear a difference between the DACs in the 9000ES vs the DACs in the 777ES. I listed to a CD first by letting the 9000ES convert to analog - feeding through the CD input to the 777ES. And then throught the ditital coax thus using the onbard DACs on the 777ES. The 9000ES has more detail and resolution!

Now I was compelled to connect the 9000ES to my 2 channel audio system. I connected it to my Bryston B60R integrated amp driving a pair of Theil CS1.5 speakers. I was floored. The sounds was so transparent and open, compared to my previous CD player, a Rotel unit. The soundstage opened up dramatically in height, width and depth. This was from normal CDs too, I have no SACDs, so I can't comment on those.

Audio/Video gear can be a slippery slope to go down. I have now stepped up the level of quality in both video and audio with only 1 component. The quality of this unit will drive you to match other components to the same level. I have posted my B&W 5.1 speakers up for sale, in favor of the Theil surround setup (since I'm half way there already). The next step might be to swap out the 777ES reciever for a nice surround processor/pre amp/5 channel amp.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVP-7700

I am getting overwhelmed with emails on where I bought this item. I am reposting so everyone doesn't have to email me! :_)

A couple of good places are Uncle's Stereo and Oade Brothers. Do a search on Google, you'll find them! Best of luck.

Build, video and audio quality. Defeatable video circuit.

None so far

I finally found a replacement for my venerable 7700 that was truly an upgrade without spending thousands. I like Sony for two things TV's and CD players. The 9000 combined with my KP-61XBR300 displays a picture that at times resembles an oil painting. The colors are deep and saturated with rock solid image stability and no motion artifacts. After extended listening tests, I could not discern any difference in audio quality between the 777 and the 9000. I sold the 777 last week. The fact that you can turn off the video circuitry is a major advantage in audio quality. As for the CDR issue, I have NEVER had a problem playing CDR's, even on first generation DVD players, that were recorded on the PDR-09 in REAL TIME. I played 20 or 30 different cdr's on the 9000 with no problems. However, I use name-brand discs when I transcribe my LP's on to cd, not bulk packed, unlabeled junk. Its been my experience that people who rip borrowed audio cd's at 8X or higher onto junk discs are the ones who have playback problems. Anyway, the 9000ES is one of the best dvd players I have seen at any price.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVPS-7700, X777ES Pioneer PDR-09

Beautiful look. Dynamic sound on movies. Convenient cusor function on remote control. Picture modifiable function. SACD availability. Automatic shut off when not in use. Direct audio for SACD/CD playing.Price.

None so far.

I have used this unit just for couple of week and I feel very pleased with the performance of this machine. It operates so smooth and perfect its job, at this price range I really did not expect that much convenient functions (strengths above).
With this elegant design, DVP-S9000ES surpass all of DVD players available in the market at this price range. How about the sound? terrific in DTS mode and smooth in CD, of course in CD I always set in direct mode which is a very practical need for all music lovers. It also offers SACD, the latest sound format, for music purist. How about video? Compared with my Pionner Elite DV-09 THX-certified reference DVD player, Pionner is somewhat better than Sony as it offers very fine and smooth picture, however, with the Sony, you still can modify the picture at your own taste while such operation is impossible in Pioneer. Another convenience from this DVD player is the auto shut off function, my habit is to watch a movie, listen to a CD on my bed before falling asleep, therefore I love this function very much. In one word, I love this machine very much and I believe I will keep it with me for very longtime.
For your reference, my system comprising:
Yamaha DSP-AX1 A/V receiver
AudioQuest Topaz Interconnect
AudioQuest speaker cables
Sonus Faber Concertino Main seapkers
Sonus Faber Solo Piccolo center speaker
REL Strata II Subwoofer
Klispch Rear surround and rear center speakers

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer DV-09

SACD, Build, CD/DVD sound quality, very good remote

No DD/DTS converter, stereo and not multi-channel, small buttons on player are still confusing to me.

I bought this on trial as a reference to help me determine which $500 DVD player to buy. I also bought the Panasonic A7 and JVC723, and own a Sony DVP-300.

WOW! CD and DVD play impressed me the most. Vastly superior to any $500-600 DVD player. After listening to the 9000ES, it was painful listening to the Panasonic, JVC, or Sony 300. The 9000 was cleaner and so much more alive. I've tried to find a competitor. I listened to the $1200 Denon in the store--I could tell that it wasn't worth it to even take it home on trial. I've considered a Technics A-10, but the Stereophile review kept me away from trying it.

I know that CD play on the 9000ES is not as good as some $2000 plus CD stand alone players, but let me tell you, the 9000ES knocks the socks off any sub $1,000 DVD player that I could find. CD play on the 9000ES was superior to DVD-Audio play on the Panasonic and JVC.

Then there's SACD. I now own 4 SACDs and I've read a lot in the past 2 weeks about SACD. SACD is clearly superior to CDs and 96/24. I doubt that DVD-Audio will be better than 96/24 so when DVD-Audio reaches a quality DVD player, I do not expect it to match SACD. SACD should be on every audiophile's "must have" list.

I'm keeping the 9000ES.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVP-300, Panasonic A7, and JVC 723GS

For the price, It performs very well at every aspect, Build quality.

CD playback is not as strong as the other feature

It is a awesome player for DVD and SACD, CD playback is good too , compare to all the Dvd platers I usewd before. But I used Audionote D/A converter for cd playback, there is no comparasion. but using 9000ES as transport is a excellent deal, it sounds like a $1200 cd transport!! This players take long break in term, at lease 200+ hrs for each feature, cd , SACD, etc. Its Progressive playback is very nice as well even compare to the proceed(I was going to buy it, after I saw the 9000es, Ichanged my mind)Certainly you must have high quality gears to match the 9000es to show up all of its abilities. bust value for money player for both VIDEO and AUDIO. ( I agreed with Rick, some silly idiot don,t know the abilities of the product and submit low score here to bring the value rating down, remember, we are helping fellows and buddies to make decision on serious investment.)

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba sd9000, Pioneer DVS 9, Sony 7700, Marantz DV 18

SACD & Regular CD is truely a step up (usually I read the hype but cannot tell the difference in real life), this was a clear difference.
Did not notice dramatic video benefits because my TV is not progressive scan or HDTV. Though Surround (esp. DTS) was fantastic. Seems smoother them my old Toshiba player.

Overly complicated remote and setup screens(as an enthusiast I am fine with this, but more things should auto-detect). For example, why doesn't it automatically go into AUDIO DIRECT mode when SACD or CD's are played.

** QUESTION: I bought a SACD(Mike Oldfield-Tubular Bells) from Virgin Records. Has the SACD symbol on it. But when put in the player it immediately reads ERROR and won't play. The sampler and one other I have plays. Anyone experience this...

Similar Products Used:

Sony DA555ES Receiver, McIntosh Amp, Martin Logan Aerius i Speakers.

Built like a tank, SACD, Reference quality progressive scan output.

possibly price

If you can afford it, buy it. I can offer no greater endorsement. This player impresses me every time I play it. With true 3-2 pulldown progressive scan this player really kicks butt. The SACD feature is thrown in as a bonus, and I must say that once it burns in (100 hours) it sounds awesome. Just to see how good it was I took this player into my audio room and did an A-B comparison with my Meridian 508.24 (a $4000 CD player). The Sony chased it out of the room. I had to put the Sony back with my home theater system after four songs because I started to think about replacing the Meridian with one of Sony's other SACD players. However, the CD mode of the Sony does require quite a bit of burn in (200 hours at least), so don't expect CD or SACD to blow you away out of the box. Leave the player on and playing discs for a while. The DVD mode(what I bought if for in the first place) really shines. I have the component video output hooked into my Mitsubishi Diamond 55" tv and the image is spectacular. The progressive scan is wonderfull. Colors really come alive, and fast paced motion has absolutly no breakdown or blurring. I love this player.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite

Built like a tank, SACD, Reference quality progressive scan output.

possibly price

If you can afford it, buy it. I can offer no greater endorsement. This player impresses me every time I play it. With true 3-2 pulldown progressive scan this player really kicks butt. The SACD feature is thrown in as a bonus, and I must say that once it burns in (100 hours) it sounds awesome. Just to see how good it was I took this player into my audio room and did an A-B comparison with my Meridian 508.24 (a $4000 CD player). The Sony chased it out of the room. I had to put the Sony back with my home theater system after four songs because I started to think about replacing the Meridian with one of Sony's other SACD players. However, the CD mode of the Sony does require quite a bit of burn in (200 hours at least), so don't expect CD or SACD to blow you away out of the box. Leave the player on and playing discs for a while. The DVD mode(what I bought if for in the first place) really shines. I have the component video output hooked into my Mitsubishi Diamond 55" tv and the image is spectacular. The progressive scan is wonderfull. Colors really come alive, and fast paced motion has absolutly no breakdown or blurring. I love this player.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite

I gotta say, John must be an idiot to say this is not a true progressive scan player. This is not a line doubler unit like the pioneer 414 and technologies used by many TVs. If would have done some research, you find out that the Sony s9000es uses the Genesis chip like many progressive scan players. Sony even went furthur and tweak the chip for better progressive output. This is a true progressive unit with 480p. Next time try using the component outs and feed it to a TV that can accept progressive signals like an HDTV unit before you come in here make an ass of yourself.