Onkyo DV-SP1000 Still worth buying?

[budlyte]

I am looking to upgrade my Kenwood DV-6050 disc changer and an considering the DV-SP1000. It seems to get great marks for audio, but it has a known lip sync issue since it was released a few years ago. I would expect for that kind of $$$ it should be able to handle both audio and video w/o problems. I also would expect that Onkyo would have fixed this by now, but they keep selling the player as is. I've never dealt w/ their support folks, but based on what I've read on another site, they don't seem to be very helpful.

So here's my dilemma; I'm hesitant to buy a product that's 2+ years old already, especially one with known issues, but I've seen Onkyo's 2007 lineup, and the only new disc player listed in the DV-SP405. Is it still worth buying the SP1000 now, lip sync issues and all, or should I look for something different? Does anyone know if Onkyo will be upgrading/replacing this unit anytime soon?

I'd like to keep the price under $2000. I'm concerned more w/ audio performance right now, as I haven't taken the plunge into HDTV yet, so I'm sure the SP1000 will be just fine as an audio player, but for that kind of $$$ I'd like the player I buy to perform well in the video area as well, which is why I'm hesitant to buy the SP1000 (lip sync issues). My collection is mostly redbook (~500 CDs) along with 15-20 DVD-As and SACDs, so I definitely need a universal player.

After doing some research, I ruled out the ARCAM DV137, as it seems to have its own set of issues since its release. I've considered the Denon 3930ci as well. It's about the same price as the Onkyo right now depending on where you look, but Denon has it's issues as well, and their support doesn't sound much better than Onkyo's from what I've read. I am trying an OPPO 970 right now but will be sending it back. Redbook and DVD-A are a bit better on the Kenwood, and I hate the disc tray on the OPPO. (but for $149, it's still a heck of a deal!)

Any help would be appreciated.

[Metralla]

I can appreciate the desire for an audio player that deals with the various formats, but I would consider decoupling your video requirements. Do you want to play multichannel DVDAs and SACDs?

[StyxCollector]

Plenty of players in the market under $2k that are great (Marantz, Pioneer, NAD, etc.).

[budlyte]

I can appreciate the desire for an audio player that deals with the various formats, but I would consider decoupling your video requirements. Do you want to play multichannel DVDAs and SACDs?

Yes - both SACDs and DVD-A

[budlyte]

Plenty of players in the market under $2k that are great (Marantz, Pioneer, NAD, etc.).

I considered the NAD T-585 but can't find any real world reviews on it. I looked at some M55 reviews which were overall positive, so I assume the T-585 will be similar (and it costs less to boot). One problem w/ the M55/T-585 is they don't decode DTS. My Onkyo receiver (656) is several years old and also doesn't decode DTS, so unless I want to replace the receiver as well, the player I get has to decode DTS.

Not sure about Denon. It seems folks either love 'em or hate 'em. I've owned mostly Onkyo in the past, which is why I'm looking at the SP1000 now.

[Sput]

I have an Onkyo DVS939 the previous model to the 1000. I have been very happy with it. Excellent picture on my HD 61 inch. The cd quality is excellent as well. It has a feature that kills the video when playing a cd. You can hear the difference.
It does not play sacd like the 1000.

[heavyd]

I have the DV-SP800, which is a universal player as well. It is not in the same league as the 1000 was/is, but I think it was the next step down in the Onkyo universal player line. Two of the 5.1 channel analogue outs went tits-up a week after the warranty expired. The repair center Onkyo recommended kept the player for about two and a half months! :yikes:.... Dealing with Onkyo support, as you have mentioned, was a very trying experience. I will avoid Onkyo in the future.

BTW, while my 800 was being repaired, I replaced it with a $130 Pioneer 578a (?) universal player. I noticed no difference with progressive scan DVD and hi-rez audio sounded only slightly worse with the cheap Pioneer :)

[Feisal K]

but for that kind of $$$ I'd like the player I buy to perform well in the video area as well

the Denon's video was quite well received its using the new Realta T2™ HQV chips

more players (http://www.dvd-a.dk/?page=P25)

[budlyte]

the Denon's video was quite well received its using the new Realta T2™ HQV chips

more players (http://www.dvd-a.dk/?page=P25)

I just ordered a brand new Denon 3910. It uses the Faroujda chip, but it got good reviews and was priced under $700. I have 30 days to try it out, so hopefully it's a winner.

[Feisal K]

a solid player by all accounts :)

[budlyte]

Glad to hear it!