Pioneer Elite

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by doguniverse

Ivan, will you also carry car audio?

Unfortunately no, I have a full time job with high end home audio.

[prepress]

At work, we just got a Pioneer Elite BDP-80FD for the break room. It replaced a dead-in-the-water Sony DVD/VCR combo unit from 2006. The 80FD connects to an Insignia TV (Best Buy's store brand) via HDMI; audio is courtesy of a ZVOX V320.

The sound blows away the Sony unit (as well it should). Instruments, brass and percussion in particular, sound more "right." Music has more weight and impact. I was playing a blu-ray of Santana: Greatest Hits Live at Montreaux (2011). Wow. If the sound is this good from the entry-level Elite, I wonder how the top model 88 sounds.

[prepress]

Despite Pioneer working on a 4K player and having pulled the 88FD from distribution, I bought one anyway. I got it from the same dealer who sold me my PRO-111FD and BDP-09FD. A very lightly used (so lightly, it could be sold as new) demo for a ridiculously good price. It may be waiting for me when I get home. I plan for the 88 to take over as my primary BD player, with audio out to the system, and the 09 moving to back-up/secondary status, connecting to the TV for quick viewing. The Oppo 83 will be removed from the setup.

My 111 Kuro is humming along with no signs it's about to go, and even if it does, the 88 will work with a 4K TV, so I'm good. If/when it does go, a 55" OLED will be my target.

[prepress]

Having listened to some more of my reference material, I note that the 88 isn't quite as weighty in the low frequencies as my 09, but it's more refined. I'd read of similar concerns about the Oppo 105's low frequencies, which I believe uses the same DAC. That's one reason I wasn't rushing to buy either machine. I like the Wolfsons my 09 has.

The 88 is a good machine, and I'll want to give it every chance.

[prepress]

Trouble in River City (no pool, though) . . .

This AM I happened to notice that the standby LED on my Pioneer Elite DVL-91 LD player wasn't on. I just used it a couple of weeks ago and it was fine. I went around to the back, and there was some play with the IEC connector. This is a PS Audio Jewel AC C7 cord, and the PS Audios are known for solid grip. I was a bit surprised, and tried reseating the IEC connector to no avail.

Well, I put the original PC that came with the player back on, it's gripping just fine, and still no standby LED. I'm thinking now the power supply may be dead, or a fuse is blown (perhaps occurring when turning the power conditioner back on after installing a new Venom HC). This is an old player, almost 20 years old. I don't know if it can be repaired. I have an older, non-Elite LD player I could press into service; that's in the bedroom closet. Worst case, I'll replace the LDs I can with DVDs/BDs and move on. I may make a couple of inquiries on repair possibilities first. I hate this, as I like the DVL-91.

[prepress]

I called Technetron Electronic in Manhattan regarding my DVL-91. They say they can service it. Cost will be an up-front $80 for an estimate; repair should take about a week. These are the same folks who repaired my C2300 two years ago. Hoping for the best.

[prepress]

I heard from Technetron today. It was a bit ominous when the first thing the tech said when I returned their earlier call was, "Do you really love this player?"

Turns out they can indeed fix it, but the remaining cost will be $703.90! Most of that is labor, as taking the DVL-91 apart was a tedious affair and putting it back together after will be as well. It's 5 hours of labor at $120/hr. Ouch.

Still, I told them to go ahead. I figure I'll fix it this time. If it goes down again, it's done. After all, it was purchased as a birthday present to myself back in 1999 (at a discounted price no less), so I have my money's worth. This is the second repair—the first was due to water damage from a leak in the apartment above, about 15 years ago. Renter's insurance covered that one. I was told it should be ready early next week; they'll call.

[damacman]

I have the CES show sample (1994?) of the PD-T07, does that count? Even today, it bests all CDPs I've owned.

[GWNG8]

Pioneer elite plasma

[oddeophile]

Kuro Elite Pro151 BDP-09