Just picked up a Sony DVP-NS999ES for SACD, thoughts?

[emlee]

I didn't have time to decide whether I wanted it or not so I picked it up from a buddies shop and need to decide whether or not I want to open this up and keep it or not.

I only plan on listening to 2CH audio now, but I figure it's nice to have a top notch DVD player for when I eventually get my big screen TV. Is the 999ES a good SACD player? I'm searching around on different forums, but thought I'd ask here. I plan on connecting this to my KG Dynamic amp and Senn HD600s.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm "kinda" concerned because I thought the more expensive Sony ES line had "heavier" build, but this isn't a very heavy box.

 

[grinch]

holy cow am i jealous. i've had my eyes on this player for a couple of weeks, although i'm looking forward to getting one for its superb progressive scan dvd playback. i don't believe i've seen anybody on this board mention it, so maybe you should give us a little review.

remember, if you hate it, i'll buy it off you cheap.

(i wish i could swing $900 for it now!)

 

[bootman]

Quote:

Originally posted by emlee Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm "kinda" concerned because I thought the more expensive Sony ES line had "heavier" build, but this isn't a very heavy box.

Sony seems to go through different build phases with their ES line.
The previous models like the 333ES, 555ES and the SCD-1 were built (and weighed) like tanks.
This current crop don't seem to have the same build.
Of course, this may or may not translate into any sonic differences.

 

[Howie]

Um I think you have to make the distinction between Sony's ES lines.

Yes the 333ES, 555ES and the SCD-1 were built (and weighed) like tanks" but don't forget the XA777ES is a beast as well (perhaps just a bit behind the SCD1 in terms of build quality).

The DVP999ES is NOTHING like the ES line of SACD players mentioned before. CD and SACD performance of the DVP999ES won't come close to the 555ES, SCD-1, and XA777ES. Even the 333ES will beat the DVP handily in SACD performance. People make the mistake of viewing all ES components as something of similar quality. it is not.

The DVP999ES is a decent player. But the problem with the player is its price. It's DVD performance (progressive for that matter) is no where near what you can get by buying a standalone DVD player with that money such as the RP91 for example while it's CD/SACD performance is easily surpassed by the 333ES and above.

There's a reason people still buy separates. All in one players still aren't that great and if you're gonna get an all in one player the Pioneer Elite one might be a better choice (for a higher price).

So if you want a player that allows you to play SACDs and DVDs (all adequately) then the player is fine. But if you're looking for the best DVD performance for the money or the best audiophile performance for your money then I suggest you look elsewhere. Now the question is how much you paid for it. You probably can't get a better SACD player and a better DVD player separately for the same price but you do get what you pay for.

 

[radrd]

Hey Howie, do you have first-hand experience with the NS999ES? It sounds like you have heard the player in action, but if you haven't, then do you have a link to where you are getting your information?

 

[emlee]

Quote:

Originally posted by Howie The DVP999ES is NOTHING like the ES line of SACD players mentioned before. CD and SACD performance of the DVP999ES won't come close to the 555ES, SCD-1, and XA777ES. Even the 333ES will beat the DVP handily in SACD performance. People make the mistake of viewing all ES components as something of similar quality. it is not.

Hmmm, this is because of what? What specifics in the 999es do you feel are inferior? You've made some pretty bold statements without much backup to all that fanfare.

 

[Nightfall]

I'm wondering where some of those statements come from too, though I certainly dont disagree with all of them. The build quality of the 999ES is certainly not comparable to those he mentions. Its not close to the build quality of my first generation, 9000ES player either.
However.............its quality as a dvd player is visibly better than my 9000ES, which, as you might recall, is still considered THE standard by certain reviewers. I dont know of any dvd player under $1500.00 that can touch it, and I have seen them all in action.
Sony builds in SACD as an enhancement to these players since they can do it easily and they want to push the format. If you think they do this at the cost of the dvd players quality, you are clearly wrong.
I cant honestly speak, first hand, on the quality of the cd playback quality though, I havent checked it out. I can say that the 7000, 7700 and 9000ES were all pretty dam solid there too. The old 7000's are even considered a great, bargain, audiophile transport.
As for SACD quality, my 9000ES is just a little below the 555ES sacd only player. Not too bad when being compared against a SACD only unit that sold for $1500.00

 

[Born2bwire]

One should keep in mind that the 555ES can be had for $500-$600 now.

 

[Randu]

emlee
There is a full review of the NS999ES in the Jan '03 Stereophile Guide to Home Theater.

I agree with the statement above that you are spending a lot of extra $ if you aren't going to make use (very soon) of the DVD.

You may want to find an SACD now, and get more bang for your $ on next gen DVDs.

Or, continuing in the combo arena, Tuberoller posted a thread on the upcoming Philips DVD 963SA DVD/CD player a little farther down in this forum:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=18640

 

[emlee]

555es for $500-600 new sounds like a great deal, but where? And for some completely unfounded reason, I don't like changers, and prefer single disk... the 777es is nice!

Anyhow, I've taken the plunge and opened up the box and like what I hear, so I'm "stuck with the 999es. I'm not a true audiophile, just a guy that likes to check out new stuff and then foolishly spends his money. 80% of my music listening is from high bitrate MP3s off a dedicated media server with a Stereo Link 1200 external usb sound card... I know this makes some people cringe, but if it weren't for this setup and it's convenience/simplicity, I'd rarely listen to music at all and the music sounds great to me.

Now the SACD sampler disc has some great tracks on it that do sound a lot better, so I'm happy with the purchase. Can't wait to do some serious listening when my KG Dynamic amp arrives, maybe it combined with my Senn 600s will show up the "problems" with my MP3 collection, but till then, I'm a happy man. Thanks to all for your thoughts.

PS. Has anyone seen a thread on here about the "best" quality SACDs to buy? I've been reading some threads on AudioAsylum about SACDs like Beck's latest that don't sound too superior over their redbook counterparts in 2CH mode.

 

[Born2bwire]

Check out the Yahoo shops and do a search, they have the cheapest prices. I think I founde a non-Yahoo shop through google having the unit at $618, though the cheapest I've seen is about $550.

 

[Howie]

I have no first hand experience with the 999ES. Please don't take my statements as an attack of any sort. I'm simply stating a known consensus much like HD600>HD580. In much the same way you can't expect a high end DVD player to surpass a standalone cd player for the same price in redbook performance.

I'm too lazy to search for links. But in terms of progressive playback, I believe the 999ES has the red chroma bug. This I believe is confirmed.

Here's a good link

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0&pagenumber=1

Check out page 14 as some of the problems listed might concern you.


As I said the biggest issue is in regards to the price. Since I've heard that the player actually has a pretty good street price I don't think it's such a bad deal anymore. The 999ES is pretty a good player. It plays DVDs and SACDs. However if you're comparing progressive playback to players of the same price you'll probably be disappointed. In the same way that if you're comparing redbook performance to something like the 555ES you'll most likely find the 555ES to be much better. From the reviews I have read the 999ES does seem to pretty detailed and transparent. Don't get me wrong I think you'll be happy with the player. A lot of reviews have certainly been positive. And I wouldn't worry about the build quality since the inside is good

But saying that you can spend a bit more for a better DVD player and a better cd/sacd player.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by Howie
I have no first hand experience with the 999ES. Please don't take my statements as an attack of any sort. I'm simply stating a known consensus much like HD600>HD580. In much the same way you can't expect a high end DVD player to surpass a standalone cd player for the same price in redbook performance.

I'm too lazy to search for links. But in terms of progressive playback, I believe the 999ES has the red chroma bug. This I believe is confirmed.



Howie, no worries, I wasnt taking it as any kind of attack. I was simply concerned that some of the statements you made might possibly mislead other people, based upon my first hand experience with the units involved.
The red chroma is documented, I've been a longtime member of the AVS Forum too, however, there is a rather large "but" as far as that is concerned. The degree varies and also, and much more importantly, its primarily only an issue with front projection televisions, not REAR projection televisions. People that are spendign a minimum of $12-15,000 (minimum) for just the projector, up to $100,000.00 or more with doublers, quadruplers, screens, etc. have somewhat different concerns than most of us. Even amongst the serious videophiles that I know, only one person in a dozen has anything other than a rear projection unit.

 

[Howie]

I actually had the old DVP unit (555ES) in mind when I initially posted hence the part about being careful about the ES destination because one unit can be quite different from the next.

I think the fact is that people who want a dvd player will not choose the 999ES and people who want an sacd player would not choose the 999ES. But there is a market for a unit that plays that many formats and I see it as a valid reason to buy the unit. I just want to make sure that emlee realizes that there is a sacrifice in quality in return for the various format playback capability.