Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Sony dvp-ns900v DVD Players by AudioTweaker

Model:	dvp-ns900v
Category:	DVD Players
Suggested Retail Price:	$999.00
Description:	progressive scan dvd player
Manufacturer URL:	Sony
Manufacturer URL:	Sony

Review by AudioTweaker on April 04, 2003 at 02:45:23
IP Address: 12.246.106.31

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for the dvp-ns900v

Initially, this player was simply an excellent DVD-V player. Redbook and SACD were decent to start. Opening the player up, I've copper foil shielded all of the ICs on both the DAC and Video boards, replaced stock op-amps with OPA2604 for the 5.1 channel out, and two OPA627BPs for the two channel out. Coupling caps were removed and replaced with film and foil .47uf caps - the stock 100uf is way too large, and electrolytic to boot.
Power supply bypassing with Sprague .01 and .22uf caps wherever they would fit. Also, all small value caps in the digital supply were replaced with metalized film caps.
Shielded wiring where appropriate, and choke filtering on the power supply to the two channel OPS627s.
Finally, while I was in there, I changed out the play button LED to blue, and the pause button LED to red. I will go in later and replace the SACD and Multichannel LEDS with UV (custom filed down to fit the surface mount solder pads)
Now the player sings. Many out there will claim the video nature of the player prohibits excellent playback, but redbook here sounds within 10% of as good as I've ever heard it.
SACD is fantastic - I've not too much experience with SACD, but it rivals all of the setups I've heard thusfar.
Oh - and DVD Video is as good as it ever was.

Product Weakness: Maybe SACD could be better, I'm not sure yet. Control at the unit for setup requires video display
Product Strengths: Excellent video, sturdy construction, excellent redbook and good SACD playback after mods

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Yamaha 595a reciever, Kenwood two channel
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Grounded Grid homebrew
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Compared to Ah Tjoeb 99, Sony CE775, Technics DVD-A10, Sony 555
Speakers:	B&W 602 S2
Cables/Interconnects:	Homemade silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Lots
Time Period/Length of Audition:	One month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Power
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Maybe SACD could be better, I'm not sure yet. Control at the unit for setup requires video display
Product Strengths:	Excellent video, sturdy construction, excellent redbook and good SACD playback after mods