Thorough bred for the price of a mule.
Written: Jul 17 '03
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Pros: plays DVD, cd, mp3, SACD, DVD-A
Cons: Lightweight build.
The Bottom Line: A one stop solution that will send the competition home weeping. At the current sales just can't be beat.
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| OM-4's Full Review: Pioneer DV-656A DVD Player |
Pioneer, a long time manufacturer of topquality homecinema equipment, has a reputation to uphold. Leading the laserdisc industry of yesteryear it developed many innovative designs on videocircuitry and today is among the best in DVD-performance.
Thus Pioneer’s philosophy on performance is simple. State of the art processors and circuitry from their top of the line Elite-series trickle down fast to the more affordable machines. They will meet any pricepoint with the best possible configuration beating competitors in the same pricerange for your viewing pleasure.
The DV-656a comes in fourth from the top after the Elite, 9xx- and 7xx-series. From the look of this “small” livingroom friendly animal you will not expect much. But inside it is a complete different beast.
The inerts of this fine machine is completely overhauled compared to it’s predecessor. In fact it shares most of the components residing in the twice (or in some cases three times) as expensive DV-747A. To get to a more democratic pricepoint, Pioneer packed the high tech components in a garden variety case black or silver. Controlwise you get the basics up front with the addition to turn of the video and or the lcd-panel under the disc-tray. All other controls are done through the supplied remote and on screen menues. The menue offers the ability to tweak, tune your taste for picture, sound (if you use the built in decoders) or want to program a disc.
spin that disc
If you are looking to cut down on the video/hifi components stacked up on your rack than the DV656a certainly cuts the mustard. Besides playing DVD, VCD, photoCD it handles MP3, SACD and DVD-audio as well. When playing audio, the video circuits and display can be shut of to avoid any interference. But the light weight build of this machine does influence it’s cd-performance. Depending on where you stack your player on top or somewhere inbetween other components the bass will sound thin or more rooted.
With SACD and DVD-audio software now growing one can gradually come accustomed to the new format and see which cd’s might need replacing. Now the DV-656a might not be truely audiophile but it more than makes do until one or the other format holds more ground.
Videowise this player is up there with the best of them. Quality is excellent, great sharpness and fine detail. Control of chroma and contrast is good. Pop in DVD with lots of black and red like “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” on Superbit and the DV-656A will display everything to a tee.
can you keep a secret
Overall the definition of Jack of all trades, master of none has to be rewritten with the addition of the DV-656A. Whether it’s audio or video you throw at it it will outperform any of it’s competitors. If you live in the States then you are very lucky. The DV-656A rarely goes under 599 Euros in Europe so seeing this fine machine go for as low as 150 dollars or so makes me sick.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 579
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Epinions.com ID:
OM-4
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Location: The Netherlands
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 2 members
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