Sony DVP-NC875V/B 5-Disc DVD/CD/SACD Changer, Black
Relatively good for the price but  it has some problems
I brought the player home for no other reason than to listen to, and see for myself, what a good SACD could sound like.  I was impressed no end.  Let me recommend Roxy Music's AVALON SACD.  A previous reviewer writes \\"It features hi-fi. multichannel SACD - though unfortunately only playable through the analog 5.1 outputs, would be MUCH better if it was playable through the superior digital outs instead.(Running one wire is also a much cleaner install than having to run 6 for audio to the machine's rear) I hope they someday get this right.\\" <br /> <br />This is true, but is also true for every single SACD player out there, and will not change unless the music industry relaxes its mandatory requirements that all high quality multi-channel digital music be transmitted from the player in analogue form only!  This has nothing directly to do with Sony (other than they agreed to the terms) or any other SACD player's manufacturer for that matter. <br /> <br />The test tones did not produce a base signal to the subwoofer but I am still yet unsure if it is the player or my receiver's sub input.  I largely suspect the player as that input was used previously - but a long time ago.  Setting all speakers to `large', and having my receiver do the base management worked very well. <br /> <br />There are some really stupid things on the player like the ultra bight leds that are used on the front panel that will blind a cave dwelling salamander (without eyes) from across the other side of the house.  Yes you can dim them, and no, it does not really help.  Sony could have saved 15c if they chose regular leds.  I had to cover them to tone them down a bit.  I guess something like nail polish (really dark) would also work.  The alternative is to hide the player behind a cabinet door or something, and use some IR relay. <br /> <br />The very first DVD played hung up at the layer change - Bourne Supremacy.  The player had to be shutdown to reset it. I have not tried another since I already have a decent DVD player that is working fine right now.  Menu changes seemed very quick relative to what I am used to.  Video quality (component but NOT progressive) seemed average.  I did not try any video output modes. <br /> <br />It is noisy when changing disks - big deal.  Since you cannot shuffle across multiple discs, it is not going to be changing discs all that often.  You CAN change a CD/DVD while one is playing. <br /> <br />Plays MP3 CDs well enough, and far better than most MP3 players that I have used. Have not tried other formats, nor intend to.  <br /> <br />Setup was clear, simple and intuitive.  Had no trouble getting it setup without the manual - a good litmus test. <br /> <br />At this point I am considering sending it back and looking else where for an SACD solution, but for the price and the fact that I am not sure I can live without SACD for a couple of days, I might just keep it.