Sony DVP-NS500V - Good budget component?

[akshobhyavajra]

I am looking for a DVD/CD/SACD replacement for my Toshiba DVD/CD in about the same price rance +- $200. This is not a reference system, but I want the added flexibility of SACD... Does anyone use this Sony? I'd like to hear from some users...

The Sony NS500V has these features, and that's what I am looking for:

10-Bit 27 MHz Video D/A Conversion
Dual Discrete optical pickup - separate lasers optimized for CD and DVD
192 kHz/24-bit Audio D/A Converter
Multiple Viewing Angle Capability
Component Video Outputs
Composite Video Outputs
Coaxial Digital Outputs
S-Video Outputs

The Sony seems to fit the bill and would get me into SACD....
for only $145:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/1800nicebuy/soneldvdvdcd.html

I am just using a 2 channel vacuum tube system (don't care about surround sound), which is as follows:

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/3135.html

So, any opinions? Good, bad, keep the Toshiba???

Thanks in advance,

~Michael~

[audiomixer]

I have had the 500 now for a while...
Great for DVD & SACD....even Redbook CD...
(For the money!)

[akshobhyavajra]

Originally posted by audiomixer
I have had the 500 now for a while...
Great for DVD & SACD....even Redbook CD...
(For the money!)

Thanks for the input - just found a review on the 500. This guy liked it, too:

http://www.avguide.com/newsletter/AVg_051502/sony_dvp.jsp

[Metralla]

Your may be better off keeping your existing DVD player and getting a player that's CD/SACD only. Unless you feel that your DVD performance is easily bettered by the Sony I'd concentrate funds on the CD/SACD purchase. Are you happy with your current DVD presentation?

If I were you I would look at the Sony 775 (saw an open box item for $129 in Circuit City last night) or the Sony 222. These would offer better music than the 500.

Other reports on the 500 have not been as encouraging as the one you posted, whereas the 775 is being touted as a giant killer and real value for money. It's discontinued and hard to find, but it is out there.

Regards,
Geoff

[akshobhyavajra]

Originally posted by Metralla
Your may be better off keeping your existing DVD player and getting a player that's CD/SACD only. Unless you feel that your DVD performance is easily bettered by the Sony I'd concentrate funds on the CD/SACD purchase. Are you happy with your current DVD presentation?

If I were you I would look at the Sony 775 (saw an open box item for $129 in Circuit City last night) or the Sony 222. These would offer better music than the 500.

Other reports on the 500 have not been as encouraging as the one you posted, whereas the 775 is being touted as a giant killer and real value for money. It's discontinued and hard to find, but it is out there.

Regards,
Geoff


Actually I am very happy with the Toshiba. Getting a SACD only may be an option. Thanks for the idea.

[Richard Feirstein]

I have a 500V and it is a Superb DVD player and an excellent CD and SACD multi-channel player. I will upgrade perhaps in a year or two for full bass managment and timing alignment adjustments or perhaps full digital video and SACD output into a compatible receiver and DTV set. Till then it does the trick for me.:)

[SVL]

Sony seems to be making two variations of the 500, 700, and 900 - the "v" index models can read SACD but have no progressive scan for video; the "p" index things have progressive scan but no SACD.

If you do not need progressive video, NS500V may be a good choice. Toshiba makes several cheap DVD players with progressive scan, but no SACD (they read DVD-A and can decode HDCD though).

[Richard Feirstein]

All current DTV sets do their own interlaced to progressive scan conversion. Future DVD players will sport digital video outputs. These steps have or soon will essentially rendered progressive scan in the player a feature that will not be needed. Early DTV set owners are the major consumers who benefit from this feature.

[akshobhyavajra]

Originally posted by Richard Feirstein
I have a 500V and it is a Superb DVD player and an excellent CD and SACD multi-channel player. I will upgrade perhaps in a year or two for full bass managment and timing alignment adjustments or perhaps full digital video and SACD output into a compatible receiver and DTV set. Till then it does the trick for me.:)

The 500 would serve strictly as a playback source for audio on my system. I am using a AMC CD8b CD Player with MSB Link DAC III 24/96 Digital Converter right now and the Toshiba SD 3750 24/192 kHz DVD from my other system is killing it in sound quality. I suspect that the added SACD feature will bury the MSB completely (this DAC can be upgraded, but I could buy 5 SACD players for the upgrade cost :realmad: ).

Thanks for the feedback on the 500..... looks more and more like a viable option...

[Gary]

Around these parts, the 775 is half the cost of the 500. Just something else to consider.