Pioneer DV-578A-S DVD Player with DVD-Audio / SACD
Perfect player
I purchased the Pioneer DV578A player as an upgrading to my old Pioneer dv515. The main cause of upgrading is to play DVD audio and SACD formats. The player does it all perfectly. About the DVD video, the picture is surely more vivid and clear than my old DVD, considering that I use the S video input of my Samsung Tantus Digital 100HZ 29\\" TV. This TV doesn't include a component input to try the Pure Cinema Progressive scan ability of the new player.Also JPG photos play fantasticaly with it as a slide show.<br />About the audio, CD's sound great, also DVD audio and SACD discs perform with good fidelity. There's here one drawback. It's the subwoofer channel output which seems to be so much low on playing DVD audio and SACD discs using the 6 channel output of my digital receiver. The subwoofer itself is a Sony 100W active subwoofer producing great bass on DVD videos played on either new and old DVD player.Here's the trick to bypass this problem.<br />First the player must be adjusted to SMALL SPEAKERS and SUBWOOFER ON using the Initial Menu, and the subwoofer cut frequency adjusted to its maximum.<br />Second and the most important is that the digital receiver contains 2 different outputs: the first is the digital one, with the ability to play 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS encoded DVD videos through optical or coaxial connections, and the level output of the 6 speakers including the subwoofer must be carefully adjusted preferably using the Radio Shack analogue sound level meter. Also the analogue 6 channel output designed for DVDA and SACD playback must be SEPARETELY adjusted using the SLM (I use the Sound & Vision - Home theater tune up DVD by OVATION software)for speaker's calibration. It includes calibration tests for both 5.1 and 6 channel.<br />I found that the subwoofer must be adjusted to a level of 8-10db more than the main speakers on the analogue 6 channel output, while it's about the same level or only 2db more on the digital 5.1 output.<br />Now the problem is solved, and I can enjoy listening to the new audio formats with a reliable quality.<br />As a conclusion, The DV578A is a great universal player with an amazing affordable price comparing to other products of the same category. I'm very happy for owning such an amazing player.joy listening to the new audio formats with a reliable quality.  As a conclusion, The DV578A is a great universal player with an amazing affordable price comparing to other products of the same category. I'm very happy for owning such an amazing player.