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Under $1k? Thanks in advance. I like the Denon DVD1920 for the cost but more so for the picture and sound quality for DVD playback through component. This is its strongest suit IMHO. SACD and DVD-A playback though my Denon AVR2803 is pretty good but if the Pioneers beat the Denons.....
I went through this decision of Pioneer Elite vs. Denon for universal players a couple of years ago, and since I was buying for two separate systems I split the difference and bought one of each, an Elite DV59AVi and a Denon DVD3910. Before that I had a Denon DVD2900 on one system and a CD-only Elite PD65 on the other.Of the universal players, certainly the Denon units support the perception of better build quality, though I've not experienced any difference in reliability between them. The Denon units I've owned have been more finicky about discs, declining to read a few whereas I've never had a rejection from my DV59AVi. On sound quality, the Denons have an etched quality that contributes to a perception of higher definition, but just as the Denon video performance is more vividly video-like, and the Elite is more nuanced and film-like, a similar division of qualities characterizes their music output. On balance, I found I listened to music on the Elite universal player much more, regardless which system I placed it in. It has a more holistic presentation that got closer to the natural tonality of music and instruments, whereas the Denons sound more "hifi."
Discounting its somewhat less extensive user controls for video calibration, however, the NAD M55 Master Series universal player steamrolls both the Elite and the Denon on sound in all formats, and has the Elite's film-like beauty visually.
Phil
The Pioneer sounded more liquid and warm, tonally dense and layered, but not to an extreme.The Denon was very detailed, but a bit brighter and lighter... almost shrill at times.
Other Pioneer players that I've heard (casually) tend to have a similar sound... ditto for the Denons.
Cheers
I have owned both a Pioneer DVD-47 (pre "i")and the Denon 2900. Personally I don't think it was even close that the Denon outperformed the Pioneer across the board on audio but may have had a crisper picture on video versus what seemed at the time a softer image on the Denon.
I almost bought a 3910 recently. I tried a new power cord for the Pioneer instead. The sound is very good indeed.Cheers
First of all I just felt the overall sound quality was better. Specifically the Denon had a wider and deeper soundstage. I thought the Pioneer sounded lean. A lot of times the differences you hear between products may not be a matter of good versus bad but simply a personal preference.As an example I had auditioned some Kimber Kable speaker cables to compare them to my current AudioQuest. There was an immediate and distinct difference between the two and I preferred my AQ. In this case I thought the Kimber sounded "fatter". I have just upgraded my speakers. I was at the same dealer buying a power cord and he suggested I try the Kimber again with the new speakers. The immediate difference is gone, the fatter sound is gone. It will take me a while to listen and decide if I should make a change.
FWIW, I've heard several Pioneers, and I still have my "built-like-a-tank" Denon DVD-5900. I do prefer the richness of the Denon compared with the rather lightweight Pioneers.The Denon also has twin-SHARC processors for hirez bass management & time alignment with DVDA.
It may actually be better with SACD and DVD-A than I'm giving it credit for. It is not broken in at all for music listening for those. I'm going to give it more time before I try a Pioneer.BTW, the 46avi that Best Buy currently stocks has 4 open boxes just in my store. Now I know that does not have anything to do with its playing music but....
The Pioneer DV-46 is the entry-level player in the Elite lineup... I think MSRP is $300. May be a minor improvement over the Denon, maybe not! My experience is primarily with my DV-47ai, a quite different animal that was significantly more costly when it was new.If you really want to try a Pioneer universal player, you should probably be looking at the DV-79avi... a very nice machine that's available for $6-700. The Denon 2910 would be its natural competition.
Me, I'm keeping the Pioneer for now... but will soon be looking for a nice CD only machine (90% of my digital music collection is on CDs). Rega and Cary are likely candidates. I definitely won't be buying a new universal machine anytime soon... there's just not enough software coming out for either Hi-Def format to satisfy me!
Cheers
nt
