Pioneer DV-757Ai DVD Player with DVD-Audio and SACD

As you would expect from pioneer the DVD video quality is as good as you can find from any manufacturer - and importantly, for those looking for the best possible picture, it has component video and progressive scan. Perhaps there are players out there capable of surpassing the quality of the pioneer, but I doubt you could buy one without re-mortgaging the house!!

I have been a big fan of pioneer since buying my first DVD player (a Hong Kong imported DV-505 back in '98). This new model continues their range of excellent and reasonably affordable machines.

The connectivity options are very, very, very good - optical and coax interconnects; standard RCA left and right; 5.1 pre-outs; twin i-Link outputs (see below); twin s-video; twin video; component video; and finally twin RGB scarts. Frankly, there's more than enough options for every possible home cinema setup!

The multi-channel DVD audio and SACD quality is quite stunning - an amazing experience when you listen for the first time! Although the range of disks available is relatively limited, it is heartening to know that whichever format becomes the most popular and widespread, this little box will not become redundant.

The i-Link option is interesting for the future. At the moment the only amplifier that can handle i-Link is the top of the range (£2,500) AX10i from Pioneer themselves, but this is sure to change in the coming 18 months and less expensive receivers will follow. i-Link is a digital connection between amp and DVD player that, simply put, lets the amp control the timing of the digital data and keeps the signal digital for as long as possible. The results are reported to be crisper, sharper and tighter and a step change in sound quality (according to Home Entertainment magazine it is like the improvement seen in moving from Dolby Pro Logic to Dolby Digital). Unfortunately, I don't have an i-Link amp, but the performance of the player in other areas makes me believe that the i-Link option is indeed as good as they say.

To sum up... If you wanted this kind of quality from seperates you would need to buy a CD player for say £200, a DVD Audio player for £500, a SACD player for £500 and a quality DVD Video player for say £500. Think of things that way and £800 (or so) doesn't look so expensive. In fact the i-Link connectivity, multiple format support and exceptional performance of this all-rounder is likely to make this your last audio/video upgrade for a good few years (except that i-Link compatible amp of course!).