Pioneer 563A sacd/dvda player, I"ve made the jump!!

Aussie use of "flog"

(a) stole - e.g. "Don't leave your CDs there mate; someone will flog 'em".

(b) talk up - e.g. "Bose have been flogging the bloody Wave Radio like crazy lately. I wonder who buys 'em".

(c) sell - e.g. "I'm gonna take those old AccaDacca CDs down to the Salvos and see if I can flog 'em"

(d) win in fine style - e.g. "Jeez, the green and gold flogged the Indians in the World Cup"

Regards,
Geoff

 

Spoken like a true Aussie!

 

I was thinking that myself.

 

Anyone have any comments or experience with the Sony 755 (NOT 775) SACD/DVD player?

 

Thanks for the translation Geoff. And now if GM of Australia would only send us that V8-equipped Holden to replace our Camaro.........

[T]

 

They already have !

Your new Pontiac GTO is an Americanized V8 Monaro.

 

Has anyone who also has this Pioneer 563A found that it plays their CD's on the bright side but the SACD's and DVD-A's are fine?

After comparing the CD playback I definitely know which player I'll be playing my redbooks on and sadly it isn't this one.

 

How is the DVD picture quality? Compared to other players?

 

That's sort of what I was hoping for, but time will tell.

Looks fine to me, but I haven't done any comparisons.

 

I agree Dave, it does not do well with redbook cds. Glad a bought that Rega Planet 2000!

 

How does the playback of SACD's/DVD-A's on the 563a (subjectively, of course) compare to standard CD playback on your Rega?

 

On a different theme, has anyone here had the opportunity to compare this player to the Pioneer Elite DV-45A? If so, how would you say the sound quality of DVD-A's, in both stereo and multichannel, played back on the 563a compares to the DV45A? And what about the bass management and time alignment features?

I was seriously considering the purchase of the DV45A (solely for the playback of DVD-A's and DVD-V's as I have no intention of replacing my Sony 555ES for playback of CD's/SACD's) to replace my current JVC DVD-A/DVD-V player. If the 563a's playback is at or near the level of the DV45A, I might seriously consider holding on to that additional $200 for the DV45a.

 

I get much better sound from my Denon DAC, when playing redbook CDs. However, I bought this player mainly for high rez and also for DTS, which I did not have on my old DVD player.

The SACD layers of hybrid CDs sound better on the 563 than the redbook layers on my DAC. That's all I care about.

 

Addendum to the original post (below):

Tonight I'm just listening to redbook CDs. Whether its because power is cleaner tonight, whether the unit is breaking in, or perhaps because I'm not so much in a/b mode, tonight my impression is more favorable than it was last night.

I stand by my previously stated opinion that the presentation is a bit lightweight, somewhat lacking in that elusive "thereness". On the other hand it *is* relaxed and easy to listen to. I'm hearing details not heard before - on a live recording I could make out previously obscure dialogue from an audience member, and I'm also more aware of musical details. And there is excellent ambience retrieval. The high end seems more detailed and extended than I'm used to.

Since my first opinion was somewhat less favorable I thought it only fair to edit this post. (This is why reviewers don't like to publish anything until they've spent some time with a unit.)

I expect I'll have more to say later. If everyone hasn't fallen asleep...

 

Steve...keep them coming.

I just got the 563A last week, and havent had much time to play with it. Every disk I picked played tho, CDR, DVD-R DVD+R, MP3s, etc.

This weekend I'll do some serious "Redbook" listening and maybe we can compare findings.

Oh...one more thing. On another forum, several people said that they left their 563As ON for like 48 hours and they said they heard Better Audio. Perhaps it does need to break in a bit!!

 

Well, I decided to take the plunge with this unit. The price was right, and I needed a second DVD machine anyhow. This Pioneer will replace the JVC in my listening room and the JVC will go to another room. I got it online from Good Guys. US$180 w/ free shipping and no tax. It should arrive in a week or two. I could have gotten it sooner, but that would have added another US$9 to the price. I can wait. I am still interested in the DV45A, and if I am not totally satisfied with this player, I will probably still get the DV45A; only I will wait a bit longer for the price on it to drop. When I get this machine and break it in a bit, I will post my impressions of it here.

Like I said before, I do not want this for CD or SACD playback, only for DVD-V, DAD, DVD-A and possibly MP3 playback, so my comments will be restricted to those things.

 

Mikey, or anyone for that matter, how in the .... do I turn off the auto-shut off? Can't find that option anywhere I've looked so far.

 

I've only A/B'd "Outlandos D'Amour" by the Police, because I have the new SACD and an older redbook cd. The order of preference is :

Redbook with Rega Planet
SACD with Pioneer
Redbook with Pioneer.

The SACD sounded good, but a little harsh and thin compared to the redbook in the Rega. The redbook in the Pioneer sounded even thinner.

Though, I like the DVDa of Yes Fragile more than the redbook cd in the Rega.

 

I appreciate the response, though it's just a little late as I decided to take the plunge with this player already (see my post above) ; but let me ask this anyhow: Do you have any hybrid SACD's from an 'audiophile' label such as Audio Fidelity (Steve), Mobile Fidelity, Analogue Productions (Steve), Telarc, Bis, etc.? The reason I ask is, one possibility for your results above could very well be that you are using two discs mastered completely differently. A hybrid from one of the labels above would be mastered nearly identically for both layers thereby rendering a more 'fair' assessment of the playback capabilities of either player. Even though I've already ordered one of these players, I'd still be interested in hearing your results in a situation such as that.

 

All hybrids for me GB. Audio Fidelity, MFSL, and Analogue Productions.

 

So then let's have it Dave, how do you think DVD-A/SACD playback on the Pioneer stacks up to Redbook playback on your Sony XA-20 ES?

 

<Wrestling and thrashing with Golden Boy>

SACD is superior to redbook. I haven't heard DVD-A yet. I will be a lot more specific after complete break-in as my opinion may change post break-in.

 

I've had one of these for three weeks now. A break-in period does seem the norm. Mine was making a few pops & clicks in (mostly) the surround speakers. Doesn't seem to be doing it now though, I'm glad to report. It has an excellent picture as well on the few movies I've put through it so far. Extremely happy with the sound quality from SACD and DVD-A. Mostly pleased with redbook quality, as it seems like it may be a bit below the level produced by my Sony 650.

I must say that now that I've finally got to experience the "Advanced Resolution" tracks on DVD-A's that, IMO, they are right up there with SACD tracks. I do realize I haven't done a direct comparison between identical tracks in both formats but so far I'm giving a slight nod to SACD. Just seems more "airy" and "analogy". Just IMHO, no flames wanted...

However, I do have two questions somewhat regarding this player:

1) I can't seem to hear the 96/24 mch mix of Queensryche's "Empire". It acts as though it's playing, with the lyric menus functioning, but no sound is being output throught the analog outs. The 24/96 stereo track works fine however. Anyone?

2) Is the label of Natalie Merchant's "Tigerlily" disc incorrect, because I can't locate a stereo mix on this disc? If so, has it been corrected in later issues of this disc?

Thanks gang,