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SACD posts

OPPO's long-awaited BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player now shipping

by Darren Murph posted Jul 7th 2009 at 10:21AM

It's been a long (long!) time coming, but we're thrilled to finally be able to say that OPPO's multifaceted BDP-83 is shipping en masse to those willing to part with five bills (or $500, for those working without conversion tables). During our time with the player, we were duly impressed with most every aspect, and if you're still on the hunt for a Blu-ray player that can spin DVD-Audio and SACD on the side, you'll be hard pressed to find a better option than this. So, who's taking the plunge?

[Via High-Def Digest]

Marantz unveils high-end UD9004 Blu-ray / SACD player

by Darren Murph posted Mar 20th 2009 at 7:44PM

We can definitely see where this is headed. Hot on the heels of Denon's DVD-A1UD and OPPO's BDP-83 comes yet another Blu-ray player that does just a pinch more than handle audio CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. Unveiled as a prototype over in Munich, the Marantz UD9004 is just one format shy (it's lacking DVD-Audio support) of being a complete "universal" Blu-ray player. Said device, which is slated to get official sometime in 2009, is built upon the $6,500 SA-7S1 SACD player (pictured) and features a 10-bit Silicon Optix chipset, 14-bit video DAC, an SD card reader, RS-232 control interface, support for BD-Live and an Ethernet port. Outside of that, details are nonexistent, but we'll definitely be keeping an ear to the ground for more.

[Via Slashgear]

OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player hands-on

by Darren Murph posted Mar 20th 2009 at 11:01AM

Here she is -- the world's very first universal Blu-ray player. Oh sure, we may have heard of Denon's absurdly expensive DVD-A1UD first, but that bad boy just got delayed for a second time over in Japan. OPPO, on the other hand, has managed to push out a few hundred of these BDP-83 decks to brave beta testers across America, and we were fortunate enough to score one. The player came boxed in what was far and away the most elaborate packaging we'd seen for a BD player -- particularly one that's priced at just $499 for the beta users (an MSRP for production units has yet to be finalized).

All the goods you want are here, including Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support, internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats, SACD playback and the promise of DVD-Audio compatibility in the future. Upon unboxing the unit, we were pleased with the rigid chassis and felt the design was simple yet classy. The remote seemed accommodating enough, and the port selection 'round back was admirable. We're planning to fire it up this weekend to see just how far along this beta firmware is, but 'til then, hit the gallery below to have a look at what's sure to become a favorite amongst well informed home theater aficionados.

Gallery: OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player hands-on

Denon's DVD-A1UD: world's first universal (SACD / DVD-A) Blu-ray player

by Darren Murph posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 2:24PM

Okay, so Denon wares aren't exactly "cheap," but you can't knock it for trying to innovate. Despite that fact that about eight people on this Earth still care about their beloved SACD / DVD-Audio collections, Denon has developed a Blu-ray player specifically for them. The DVD-A1UD is hailed as the world's first universal BD deck, and it features a black (shown after the break) or silver motif, SD / SDHC card slot, DivX support, HDMI 1.3, 1080p60 / 1080p24 output, internal decoding of DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby TrueHD, 7.1-channel analog outputs, Denon LINK and all sorts of sophisticated pixel / audio restoration technologies. Better still, users who buy in can look forward to a Profile 2.0 update in the near future. Not surprisingly, the decked-out player will ship in Japan next month for a patently astounding ¥546,000 ($5,860), so you'll probably be stuck dreaming about it unless your ship rolls in.

[Via Impress]

Continue reading Denon's DVD-A1UD: world's first universal (SACD / DVD-A) Blu-ray player

Sony turns CDs blue with new Blu-spec CD standard

by Thomas Ricker posted Nov 5th 2008 at 1:54AM

Got a good marketing hook? Great, give it a nice thick slather across some related bits of your consumer electronics and prepare to rake in the cash. With MD and SACD formats not exactly dominating the audio masses, Sony's back with a new format by the name Blu-spec CD. It takes advantage of (you guessed it) Sony's Blu-ray Disc technology to press new high-quality discs while somehow maintaining compatibility with regular ol' red-laser CD players. How? No idea, really -- it's some kind of secret, proprietary Sony magic hidden deep inside of Google's Japanese-to-English language translator. Perhaps an English press release will be issued later in the day. It does seem that Sony will kick out about 60 Blu-spec CD classics (Miles Davis' Kind of Blue for example) in December ranging in prices from ¥2,500 (about $25) to ¥4,200 ($42). Ouch.

P.S. That weeping CD logo above is our Photoshoppery, not Sony's.

[Via Impress]

Sony's high-end SCD-XA5400ES SACD player eyes-on at CEDIA

by Darren Murph posted Sep 4th 2008 at 11:57PM

A $1,500 SACD player? In 2008? Long after the never-very-popular format peaked? Thanks, Sony -- we can only imagine how lopsided the gallery visit-to-purchase ratio will be on this one.

Sony debuts $1,500 SACD player with HDMI output

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 27th 2008 at 1:54PM

We have to admit, that headline makes us a little bit giddy, and Sony seems to be betting there's enough folks giddy enough to throw down their credit card to snag its new high-end SACD player, which has just made its debut in Japan. In addition to making a bold statement of non-conformity in your A/V rack, the SCD-XA5400ES is particularly notable for its inclusion of an HDMI output, which nicely complements the usual digital optical, coax, and analog audio options. According to Sony, you can also expect nearly zero distortion from the twin R-core transformer and D/A system, which is independent from the general processing chipset. What's more, unlike many such product announcements, while this one made its debut in Japan, it's already available for pre-order from at least one US retailer (JR.com), although there's no promised release date just yet (it lands in Japan in October).

Yamaha gets official with CD-S2000 SACD player, A-S2000 amplifier

by Darren Murph posted Oct 24th 2007 at 8:37PM

On one hand, the designs of Yamaha's latest devices could have easily been ripped straight from last century, but in another sense, there's a certain level of attractiveness that comes with brushed aluminum AV components sporting retro-inspired buttons / knobs. Nevertheless, the CD-S2000 SACD / CD player (which arrives in silver or black motifs) plays nice with MP3 / WMA files and sports analog, optical / coaxial digital and XLR audio outputs. As for the A-S2000, it's available in the same two hues and can crank out up to 190-watts x 2 at 4-ohms or 120-watts x 2 at 8-ohms. Apparently marketed towards the high-end crowd, neither of these December-bound units come cheap, as the CD-S2000 will demand ¥208,950 ($1,824) while the A-S2000 rings up at an equally staggering ¥176,400 ($1,540).

[Via AudioJunkies]

Sony's XAV-W1 head unit: SACD in your dash

by Darren Murph posted Jul 29th 2007 at 9:19PM

For the handful of audiophiles who simply cover their ears with their uber-expensive cans when the rational crowd invites them to stop hoping for SACD to take off, here's to you. Sony has launched the "world's first" (we believe it, actually) in-car head unit that supports 5.1 SACD. The double-DIN XAV-W1 touts a seven-inch WVGA LCD, SACD / CD / DVD playback, Dolby / DTS support, 3.5-millimeter auxiliary port, seven-band equalizer, 52-watt x 4 internal amplifier, a trio of AV inputs, an image viewer, MP3 / WMA compatibility, and comes ready to play nice with your iPod and satellite / HD radio receiver. Granted, this thing will run you more than some in-dash navigation systems, but paying $800 for this sure beats retrofitting a traditional universal player into your glove compartment.

[Image courtesy of Krunker]

Bose Media System crams GPS / media playback into your dash

by Darren Murph posted Mar 9th 2007 at 10:26AM

Although Bose has become somewhat of a mainstay in the iPod speaker / overpriced headphone departments, the always controversial firm is kicking out a new device suited for your vehicle's dash. The simply-named Bose Media System head unit looks to replace that entirely antiquated cassette player you're still using, and offers up a solid mix of abilities all the while. Aside from the obvious navigation and CD playback functions, the universal player will also handle SACD, DVD-A, MP3, and AAC files burned onto a CD / DVD-R, and can also tune into XM (and Sirius?) broadcasts when not locked onto AM / FM transmissions. You'll also be graced with 5.1 playback, the uMusic mood-sensing system, proximity control sensors, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, USB 2.0 input for portable media access, and in typical Bose fashion, a mysteriously sized hard drive that reportedly holds "up to 200 hours" of content. Of course, don't expect Bose to divulge any details regarding wattage, screen specifications, or any other tidbit that could be helpful in weighing your in-dash options, but folks eying the forthcoming Ferrari 612 Scaglietti can expect it to debut in their ride for a currently undisclosed price.

Cary Audio Design intros DVD 8 upscaling universal player

by Darren Murph posted Sep 9th 2006 at 4:32PM

If you're still a fence sitter in the HD DVD / Blu-ray war, and you just can't part with that sweet sounding 5.1 audio collection, home theater boutique Cary Audio Design has a new universal player that should fit the bill quite nicely while the high definition blows are being thrown. The DVD 8, debuting at CEDIA, plays nice with DVD, SACD, and DVD Audio, and sports the oh-so-touted 720p / 1080i upscaling thanks to its component / HDMI (with HDCP, no less) outputs. The device features an impressive 24-bit Cirrus Logic 4360 DAC, as well as digital and analog 5.1 outputs to meet multi-channel expectations, and apparently supports both NTSC and PAL playback. If you're looking to consolidate that home theater setup while waiting for the ever elusive HD DVD / Blu-ray combo unit, the DVD 8 will begin shipping later this month for a currently undisclosed (but presumably costly) amount.

[Via Talk About: CEDIA]

Warner Music preps iTunes compatible "DVD album"

by Paul Miller posted Aug 4th 2006 at 5:38PM

We'd probably have to take our shoes off to count all the physical formats that have been released in hopes of supplanting the ~~J-Pop~~ indie rock CDs on our shelf, but Warner Music Group is going to give it another go. Their new "DVD album" (not quite as exciting of a name as those SACDs or DualDiscs, but look how they turned out) features stereo and surround sound mixes of the album, along with a whole bunch extras like ringtones, remixes, photos and video footage. The real kicker is that Warner is supposedly close to a deal with Apple that will allow them to bundle pre-ripped iTunes versions of the tracks. Those in the know are saying that Apple will probably create the tracks and then ship 'em to Warner for placement on the DVDs, since Apple is loathe to license their DRM tech. We're not completely sure how the tracks can be tied to a single computer if they aren't bought straight off the iTunes Music Store, but we're sure they'll figure out something.

[Via iLounge]

Sony's "hide-and-seek" Bravia TAV-L1 gets pricing and release details

by Evan Blass posted Jul 19th 2006 at 2:21PM

It's coming out a little later than we expected, but Sony has finally announced a solid release window for the Bravia TAV-L1 complete home theater system that we first spotted all the way back in February. As you may recall, this model consists of a 32-inch LCD monitor covered by a motorized panel containing speakers and a slot-loading DVD/SACD player, along with a single HDMI input and two vibration-canceling subwoofers in the base. Knowing full well that consumers love to personalize their gear, Sony will be offering the L1 with optional green, gray, burgundy, orange, or silver speaker grills for $100 apiece starting in September, about a month after the product itself is released. Also on the horizon is a $1,300 system called the RHT-G1000, which features speakers and a receiver built right into a TV stand, allowing users to hook up their own flat panel sets and rear satellites for the full home theater experience. Expect the G1000 to be available sometime in October, while the $4,000 TAV-L1 is scheduled for release next month -- well past the May launch we'd first heard, but also a lot cheaper than the $7,000 we originally reported.

Philips' Cineos HTS9800W HTIB with wireless rears

by Evan Blass posted Jul 16th 2006 at 1:22PM

Home theaters in a box are not for everyone -- most people we know prefer to assemble their entertainment systems piecemeal -- but if you're in the market for such a product, then Philips is offering a fairly stylish new HDMI-equipped system with convenient wireless rear speakers that may be right up your alley. The Cineos HTS9800W is a 6.1-channel package (three 125-watt fronts, three rears, and a 150-watt subwoofer) with a slimline, upscaling DVD player that supports DVD+/-R discs, DivX-encoded video, and MP3 CDs, along with all those Super Audio CDs that we're sure you've been collecting over the years. Not a bad setup, especially for your bedroom or guest house, and it's available now for around $650.

[Via Shiny Shiny]

Denon's DVD-3930 upscaler plays it all

by Paul Miller posted Jun 20th 2006 at 11:42AM

Comprehensive format support is becoming more and more the norm, and we have no problem with that. Denon is joining the club with their new DVD-3930, which can upconvert DVDs to 1080p and output over HDMI (with some HDCP in the mix), along with supporting SACD, DivX, MP3 and WMA. The new 10bit upconverter chipset, along with the 192khz/24bit digital audio converter, makes for some high quality entertainment, though the $1,900-ish pricetag will probably leave this to the audio and videophiles. Denon is also trotting out the DVD-2930 for a "mere" $1100 which we're sure lacks some must-have processing capabilities, but on the surface seems to offer most of the functionality of its big brother. Both players should be out in July.

[Via Akihabara]