Is the Luxman DU-7 worth it as a universal player?

[bangraman]

I have the chance to get one of these for about £1100, (350,000 typical selling price = $3,500/£1800) then have friends opening it, trying it for a bit and shipped privately so I won't get raped by customs as much. Shipping adds quite a bit though... The DU is a tank.

Thing is I'm seeing reports in magazines how high-priced universal players (unless you go for real esoterica) don't seem to offer that much over the cheap ones like the Philips or the Pioneer Pioneer 656A. Use will be all-purpose but mainly speaker based, low level watching/listening (small 5.1 set-up, still deciding, plus 'normal' trinitron TV). Worth it? Or not? Opinions or comments...Thanks.

Also a question about speakers. I sent back a speaker/decoder/amp package because it didn't have 5.1 inputs to hook up a SCD-XA333ES. It said 6 inputs, which actually meant 2 + 2 + 2 (doh.). And as far as I'm aware, if I want to listen to multichannel SACD even on the Luxman I'd have to use the analog outs. Am I right? So I have to buy a receiver or speaker package with a 5.1 analog input? What about DVD-A?

 

[dustinyo]

"And as far as I'm aware, if I want to listen to multichannel SACD even on the Luxman I'd have to use the analog outs. Am I right? So I have to buy a receiver or speaker package with a 5.1 analog input? What about DVD-A?"

yep, both SACD and DVD-A will have to use analog out for multichannel for the time being. Denon and Pioneer both have high bandwith links (ethernet for denon and firewire for pioneer and just about everyone else i believe) that will transport the high amount of data required for SACD and DVD-A

just look for a reciever that has 5.1 analog in, and is upgradable to firewire, or already has it. the Sunfire Ultimate Reciever and Theater Grand 3 both have 5.1 input and firewire port onboard, and sound great from what i've heard at the avsforums.