Pioneer DV-45A DVD Player

Several years ago, I bought one of Pioneer's first DVD players (DVD-414) when I was building my home theater. While not top-of-the-line by any means this player served me well. The main problem I had with this entry-level player was sound quality. I am a classical music lover, and this player did not do Beethoven justice! Movie sound could be downright harsh, especially with blockbuster action flicks.

A few months ago, the old Pioneer finally bit the bullet. I gave the customary last rights, throwing this disc-tosser oh-so-gently into the trash bin, and went in search of a suitable replacement.

I was willing to spend up to $500 on a new player as I knew I would not be happy with the sound quality of another entry-level player. While you might think my options would be more numerous this assumption proved to be false. There was really no players in this price category; Denon was coming out with their new $600 player, but my only real choices were the top-of-the-line units from the usual suspects: Sony, Denon, and Yamaha.

Then I happened upon this beauty. I knew Pioneer Elite was a quality brand. The picture quality produced by my old Pioneer was very acceptable on my 32" Proscan. I had recently upgraded my television to a 51" Hitachi Widesceen RPTV, and the old Pioneer really didn't do this good RPTV justice. Pioneer Elite's DV45A uses PureCinema progressive-scan, the same decoder used in their top-flight Elite RPTV's. In addition, this player played both SACD and DVD-Audio; a huge plus.

But best of all was the price; for a little over $300 I felt I got a great deal. If this player had sold for it's original list price (well over $500) I would be more reserved in my recommendation, and more inclined to go with Denon or Sony. But at this price there is no competition. It's the best player I could find for the money.

As soon as the DV45A was installed in my system, an incredibly easy process, I was blown away. Music, my friends, music for the first time was produced from my speakers! The grain and grit of old was replaced with depth and a sweet top-end that even loud crescendos did not diminish to any significant degree. Vocals were much more listenable to the point I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the performance as if hearing it for the first time. Needless to say, I was happy with the CD sound produced by this machine.

SACD was another slam-dunk. All of the benefits mentioned above were just a little better with this format. The noise floor was lowered further, encouraging loud listening sessions that threaten to get me evicted from my apartment someday!

Movie performance is listenable, and non-fatiguing even with my torture test "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition)". The scene depicting the fellowship's journey through the mines of Moria was bone-chilling, and nearly had me jumping out of my skin when Gandalf confronts the Balrog!

Progressive-scan picture quality was better than the internal scaler of my Hitachi RPTV. The torture test of the Roman Eagle in "Gladiator" never looked better; the jaggies virtually eliminated. In subjective terms, the picture is smooth, if a bit red, but easily compensated with basic picture controls.

All in all, I have no real negatives on which to lament other than with build quality. This machine is not really a typical Pioneer Elite model. It's really a regular Pioneer unit done right. You won't find a huge power supply weighing 15 pounds, or aluminum faceplates. It's not over-engineered. But it works well, and as long as you don't abuse your equipment I wouldn't worry.

I see you can still get this player. If your in the market, by all means, GET IT NOW!!!

Regards,

Z