Best DVD Combo Player For Pioneer 5071

[bullitt731]

Just picked up a Pioneer 5071 plasma TV and would like to get a new combo DVD player. It doesn't matter if it is a late model or new model player. The most important features would be the upconverting of old DVDs to the 768 native resolution although you can input a 1080p signal, and excellent audio bypass analog sound. I am considering the Rolel 1092 but can't help but think some of the older Arcam or Denon products would be as good in the secondary market and less expensive. My budget is $1,200.

Thanks for any comments, Ed

[aud19]

This is probably better off so in the HT section so I'll move it after I respond but...

Are your prioritites picture or sound quality? Especially CD/DVD-A/SACD? Because really the major reasons for going with players along the lines of Rotel, Arcam etc are their sound quality with audio formats. For PQ you're not going to do much better than the $200 Oppo players or you could get one of Toshiba's HD-DVD players which are supposed to be quite good scalers as wel as playing HD discs. Also I don't think most upscaling players will go to 768p, generally you have SD 480i/p, 720p or 1080i. You need an outboard scaler to get "off-size" resolutions and even then have you checked to see if your display will even accept a 768p incoming signal?

[bullitt731]

This is probably better off so in the HT section so I'll move it after I respond but...

Are your prioritites picture or sound quality? Especially CD/DVD-A/SACD? Because really the major reasons for going with players along the lines of Rotel, Arcam etc are their sound quality with audio formats. For PQ you're not going to do much better than the $200 Oppo players or you could get one of Toshiba's HD-DVD players which are supposed to be quite good scalers as wel as playing HD discs. Also I don't think most upscaling players will go to 768p, generally you have SD 480i/p, 720p or 1080i. You need an outboard scaler to get "off-size" resolutions and even then have you checked to see if your display will even accept a 768p incoming signal?

Well I thought this would probably get moved but wasn't sure. Yes my 2 top priorities are scaling ability and music quality together in one unit. With that said 1080P and SACD are not features I think I need with this TV. I will follow this over to the HT forum, thanks.

[aud19]

With SQ being a priority I think you're looking in the right direction with Rotel, some of the higher end Denon's, Arcam, Parasound etc

Otherwise if a scaling player is your main priority I'll mention the Oppo again. For $200 you get the best scoring player according to Secrets and would have plenty of $$ left for a dedicated CD player or outboard DAC like the Benchmark DAC1 :T :yesnod: