Sony DVP-NS775V DVD/CD/SACD Player
Great Video/Mediocre Audio
I bought the SONY NS775V mainly for its 12bit/108MHz video DAC.  It that respect, it did not disappoint.  The 480P video from the SONY NS775V is significantly better than the video from my Panasonic S47.<br /><br />However, the (redbook CD) audio from the SONY leaves very much to be desired: it is tonally dry, texturally flat, harmonically bland and emotionally uninvolving.  Compared with the Panasonic, there is, to my ears, no contest.  (The Panasonic's 24/192 audio DACs, and its \\"Multi-Remaster\\" feature, make listening a true pleasure, giving redbook CD's an \\"analogue\\" richness, and adding believable presence to movie soundtracks.)<br /><br />For me, the audio contribution is at least equivalent to the video contribution in terms of generating a satisfying<br />\\"cinematic\\" experience.  It seems that the Panasonic better provides the former, and the SONY the latter.<br /><br />The dilemna for me is whether I am willing to make a significant (negative) tradeoff in audio quality for the sake of a better picture.  Since, on average, I use my A/V system more for music listening than for movie watching, I lean more toward sacrificing better video for a the sake of gaining (much) better audio.  If the SONY even came close in audio performance relative to the Panasonic, I would consider keeping it.  But I would say that the disparity in audio performance between the two units is greater than their disparity in video performance.  (I guess I've learned, too, through this experience that I'm more of an audiophile than I am a videophile.)<br /><br />Even after 30-40 hours of break-in, the redbook CD performance of the NS775V is extremely disappointing: the music sounds choked and utterly lifeless.  The cold and distant nature of the audio while one is sitting down to watch a DVD takes a great deal of pleasure away from the movie experience, too.  In addition, during my audition, the SONY did freeze up on, and eventually was unable to play, a DVD which had been no problem at all for my Panasonic S47.<br /><br />I'll probably end up getting the Panasonic S97, which is about 2x the price of the NS775V, but has Faroudja processing and an 11-bit/216MHz video DAC.  The \\"best of both worlds\\" may indeed be possible, but will necessitate my spending the extra money.<br /><br />If you are restricted to the $100-125 price range, the following is advised:<br />(a)  If you have decidedly preferential, videophile tendencies, then get the SONY NS775V.<br />(b)  If you have preferential, audiophile tendencies (like me), then get the Panasonic S47.<br /><br />Happy Viewing/Listening!<br /><br />POSTSCRIPT:<br />After 50+ hours of break-in, and sustained absence of the Panasonic, the NS775V sounds better, although it is never rid of that trademark, stark and overly candid sonic signature indicative of Sony.  In addition, the SACD performance is respectable (again, after 50+ hours of break-in).  Bottom line is that the video playback on the NS775V is VERY special for the price, and makes this unit well worth its salt.  I will therefore add another star to my rating.  4-stars ****I'll probably end up getting the Panasonic S97, which is about 2x the price of the NS775V, but has Faroudja processing and an 11-bit/216MHz video DAC.  The \\"best of both worlds\\" may indeed be possible, but will necessitate my spending the extra money.    If you are restricted to the $100-125 price range, the following is advised:  (a)  If you have decidedly preferential, videophile tendencies, then get the SONY NS775V.  (b)  If you have preferential, audiophile tendencies (like me), then get the Panasonic S47.    Happy Viewing/Listening!    POSTSCRIPT:  After 50+ hours of break-in, and sustained absence of the Panasonic, the NS775V sounds better, although it is never rid of that trademark, stark and overly candid sonic signature indicative of Sony.  In addition, the SACD performance is respectable (again, after 50+ hours of break-in).  Bottom line is that the video playback on the NS775V is VERY special for the price, and makes this unit well worth its salt.  I will therefore add another star to my rating.  4-stars ****