Anyone seen the new Sony 400-disc changer, the DVP-CX985V? Is it the best mega-changer yet, or are other new ones on the way that are worth waiting for?

Larry

Without even looking, I will say the Kenwood 5900 still beats it. Except in price.

I wish Denon made big changers. Or even 5 disc changers more often.

Okay, Spikester, sell me on why the Kenwood is better. By the way, I would chose the 5050 over the 5900 because I feel the performance differences don't justify the cost.

However, since nothing is etched in the proverbial stone, I'm asking your opinion because I really want to know it. Is the 5050 better than the Sony, and is the 5900 that much better?

As I understand, there are four differences:

1) Faroudja processing - I use a scaler, would it still benefit me?

2) Built-in surround decoding - definitely don't need

3) DVD-A playing - (Sony does SACD) - currently of little interest

4) ...I forgot the fourth one.

Check the specs at the link above for comparisons. Also, I can't say that price doesn't matter.

Danke,
Larry

#1 was it, quite important. I assume the Sony can play both sides of discs, otherwise that's #4. #2 is not an issue, they both have it.

But you pretty much cancelled #1, so...I take it back. There isn't much choice in megachangers, anyway. Marantz or Onkyo models are better built, as far as I can tell. But that probably isn't worth much as they are all based on Pioneer models with CUE and lesser deinterlacers. Although your scaler might cancel that.

There's also the new Sony 777ES, which probably has a better SACD section, has better video DACs and better build, as well. [Link: ww3.onecall.com] Hmmm, looking at those specs, this might beat all the others, at least on paper.

I have the Denon 2900, if they made it 5 disc or more I'd jump in a heartbeat. Reason #3...the 2900 has both SACD and DVD-A. (not to mention a video section that easily competes with Faroudja and NSV) Just need to make mine region-free....

Interesting to think that many years ago, when Hi-Fi = Mono point source, the introduction of stereo was met with a similar reaction.

Larry,

One other thing I noticed in the new Sony's favor: I don't believe the older Kenwoods can handle all the DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, etc. formats. Of course, this might not matter to you...

As Spiky mentioned above, the Kenwoods can also "flip" double sided discs. The Sony link you posted did not mention this ability.

-Bruce

Also interesting to note that alot of the first stereo systems had a mono pre-out jack that provided a mono mix of the stereo signal for setting up a speaker in the middle of the right and left. This could be considered the first example of a "center" channel.

Even more interesting is that the very first stereo systems were three-channel, with a full-range hi-fi center, and the "new" stereo signal played by a pair of satellites.

Larry

Kenwood 5900 takes forever to change discs if you use it as a CD player 30 seconds plus in random play

Yet still more interesting is the fact that the first discrete multi-channel surround format available for home entertainment was 8-track.

Most of these do take forever. That may be the upper end for the 5900, but even a single disc DVDp sucks for skipping through a CD. Another reason I like the Denon 2900, speed demon.

I would think it would flip them since its previous model did.

I purchsed a kenwood 5900 and sent it back. The Picture was ok but not much of an improvement over my pioneer F727 changer. As far as operations and user interface goes, I rate it a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. I took a loss sending it back but it was worth it to quash the built up frusterations. I then purchsed the sony cx985V, which in my opinion has a beter picture, at a third of the cost. On the operation front its much beter that the 5900 but I still like the Pioneer better. The sony lacks the ability to page up and down in its folder directories which makes finding specific titles painfully slow. Hopefully my next adition, a MX-3000 will nullify that gripe.

Does the Sony flip discs? I have seen elsewhere comments that it does not, but I'm not sure if they were based on the spec sheet or actual use.

Anyone know the "shuffle " time for CD's on the new Sony Mega DVD?