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The biggest and baddest CD/DVD/SACD Players of all time

N8Nagel said:
$3200 for a 4K universal player? I don't care how good it is, that's not my life. Original retail for the 205 was $1300 and that's what they cost right up until the end. I actually owned a UDP-205 for about two days. Signed up for the last run betting that if my circumstances didn't allow me to keep it that I could somehow barter that into a modest profit, and by the time my place in line came up they'd already blown up to the point that I worked a deal that I thought was amazing - I won't give details but it involved me basically trading the 205 for a 105 plus something less than what I paid for the 205 but high enough I had to restrain myself from negotiating down - and I think both of us involved walked away feeling happy as little audiophile clams.
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I saw what folks are asking for 205's that they've listed on eBay; and, I believe folks will indeed bare those asking prices, since all along the 205 was a bargain at $1300. After all, just appraised for its multi-channel SACD analog output, it has no rival at any price. At any rate, I purchased mine back in February about a month before OPPO announced their decision to end production of this magnificent player. And, while I purchased mine for multi-channel SACD pleasure, I have come to greatly appreciate the front usb port, which permits gapless enjoyment of multi-channel downloads; plus, the usb DAC seems to be making my AAC iTunes Library sound really great too.
 
I'm currently using this universal player. The downside is it doesn't have a search function for external media so if you have a USB with 5,000 songs you have to page through them. Like it otherwise, has 2ch analog out, Blu-ray, SACD, DVD-A, plays DSD out of the HDMI connection.

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Aerobat said:
I'm currently using this universal player. The downside is it doesn't have a search function for external media so if you have a USB with 5,000 songs you have to page through them. Like it otherwise, has 2ch analog out, Blu-ray, SACD, DVD-A, plays DSD out of the HDMI connection.
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What I ultimately ended up doing is getting the Pioneer for disc playback which it does phenomenally. For digital media I setup a Linux server using Ubuntu linux and a mini desktop PC, and bought a decent USB>Digital coax converter to send the signal to my receiver. I have all of my library on it as well as Spotify and Plex Server for movies. Its convenient because when I dont feel like swapping discs or vinyl I can control Spotify or plex from my phone while I am working around the house.
 
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I own two fully modified Modwright Sony machines,a 900es and a 999es. One is full tube (999es) the 900es ia a hybrid. Sound wise they give my 20,000 analog front end fierce competition. This is the 999es. With outboard power supply weighs around 24lbs.
 
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Find me one with a laser mechanism and transport which will last 10 years of broadcast service, 18 hours a day use case. Then you've built me a player for many years.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Find me one with a laser mechanism and transport which will last 10 years of broadcast service, 18 hours a day use case. Then you've built me a player for many years.
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Broadcast service? Optical transports haven't been used in such for many years. Why introduce a problematic transport when such has been rendered unnecessary?
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Find me one with a laser mechanism and transport which will last 10 years of broadcast service, 18 hours a day use case. Then you've built me a player for many years.
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The Technics SL-P1200/1300 employed a BSL disc motor and ultra reliable tracking mechanism along with a massively simplified and strong hinged door loading straight onto the table. Most of those machines are still going as well as the day they were made.

The CDM-1 Philips/Marantz based mechanisms and lasers are indestructible if just a few things are done to them to keep them going.

And the Sony BU-1D/KSS-190a drive/laser based units will outlast all of us.
 
I'm going to do something contrary to my analogue nature. I hope to buy a Marantz UD9004. I like the cut of its analogue jib.
 
theophile said:
I'm going to do something contrary to my analogue nature. I hope to buy a Marantz UD9004. I like the cut of its analogue jib.
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There was just a glowing review of the ND8006 posted on a local group by a local high end dealer (for whom Marantz would normally be "beneath" the stuff that he usually plays with) which might be something to look into if you're thinking of getting it for analog only use.

Unfortunately, it looks like only the UD8004 plays SACD or DVD-A even though the ND8006 can play back high-res FLAC files. Wonder what Marantz's rationale was for this decision?
 
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Just picked up this bad boy recently, a Denon DNT-1713UD Universal DVD player with remote for a song. Manufactured in 2012. It replaced a couple of other dedicated players

Does anyone know of any hacks to allow it to play other region dvds?
 
I bought a used Sony cdp-x77es that I'm impressed by. Very well made. Due to its age, I've bypassed the built in DAC and go through a PS Audio unit. Makes a great transport! My Linn Karik is a very nice unit too. Spendy when new!
 
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