Sony DVP-NS775V DVD/CD/SACD Player
Excellent SACD/DVD player.
I bought this 2 weeks ago from BestBuy. I was looking to purchase a new DVD player to go with my new home theater setup and thought I'd buy one that played both DVD Audio and SACD. Most good universal players are quite expensive, like maybe a Denon or Marantz. I found two that were affordable and available, the Sony NS775 and the Pioneer 578A. The Pioneer plays DVD-A, unlike the Sony and I was attracted to that first.<br /><br />Fortunately I got a chance to see them both in action! I asked a salesperson in BestBuy if she could hook them up for me and she... very surprisingly... obliged. Even got component cables and asked me what size TV i had. Then went and got a demo DVD disc and hooked both the Pioneer and Sony to a TV that was the same size as the one I have.<br /><br />Well, after about 10 minutes of viewing, pausing and switching, I realised that the Pioneer's image was a little sharper than the Sony. But what made me purchase the Sony instead were the vibrant colors and the solid blacks. I know that the TV was not calibrated properly, but that was exactly what sold me on the Sony. Even with a TV that was not calibrated, the Sony's PQ was better than the Pioneer.<br /><br />I did not have the opportunity to check the settings on the Pioneer, but the Sony does come with basic SACD control that include Distance Settings. Bass crossover is set at 120khz for small speaker settings. I purchased a Diana Krall multi-channel SACD and tested the sound quality at home with my Denon/B&W setup. She sounds... live.<br /><br />DVD sound is good, not great. But then I'm comparing to a Denon universal DVD player that I had auditioned ( I think it was the 2900). The Sony does not separate the sounds as much I'd like it to, but it does a commendable job. I tested the sound with chapter 4 (??) from Master and Commander. The sound effects in the scene where Russel Crowe's ship gets hit by a double whammy of cannon balls has a lot of information and will overpower most receivers and dvd players. The Denon does a great job of separation while the Sony does about 85% of the Denon's. But compare the price and I'm sure you'll be perfectly happy with the Sony.<br /><br />Picture quality has been great (at this price level). The images are smooth and clean and I've yet to see any pixelation or layer-change delays. The Sony has two advantages over the Pioneer. It has Black Level setting for both component and s-video. And Block Noise Reduction. Both the Pioneer and the Sony have 3:2 pulldown. I wish that the Sony played DVD-A disc, but it's never going to happen. (Sony is part of the SACD group along with Philips.) I have checked both DVD-A and SACD titles and I find that most of the music I like is available on SACD. Plus the SACD camp does have a great idea with Hybrid SACD. It will play on both regular CD players (like the one in your car) and SACD players. Now that is a very cool idea.<br /><br />All in all I am very satisfied with my purchase and I don't think anyone will regret purchasing the Sony NS775. Unless you want DVD-A capability. I believe Toshiba also has a universal player out at this price point, but I have never really liked Toshiba's players. That reminds me of the build quality of the Sony. Its very solid compared to either the Pioneer or Toshiba.a great job of separation while the Sony does about 85% of the Denon's. But compare the price and I'm sure you'll be perfectly happy with the Sony.    Picture quality has been great (at this price level). The images are smooth and clean and I've yet to see any pixelation or layer-change delays. The Sony has two advantages over the Pioneer. It has Black Level setting for both component and s-video. And Block Noise Reduction. Both the Pioneer and the Sony have 3:2 pulldown. I wish that the Sony played DVD-A disc, but it's never going to happen. (Sony is part of the SACD group along with Philips.) I have checked both DVD-A and SACD titles and I find that most of the music I like is available on SACD. Plus the SACD camp does have a great idea with Hybrid SACD. It will play on both regular CD players (like the one in your car) and SACD players. Now that is a very cool idea.    All in all I am very satisfied with my purchase and I don't think anyone will regret purchasing the Sony NS775. Unless you want DVD-A capability. I believe Toshiba also has a universal player out at this price point, but I have never really liked Toshiba's players. That reminds me of the build quality of the Sony. Its very solid compared to either the Pioneer or Toshiba.