Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: Sony DVPS9000ES DVD Players by Dean/Klipschead

Model:	DVPS9000ES
Category:	DVD Players
Suggested Retail Price:	$1499.95
Description:	Progressive Scan DVD/SACD/CD/CD-R Player
Manufacturer URL:	Sony
Manufacturer URL:	Sony

Review by Dean/Klipschead ( A ) on April 23, 2002 at 13:29:22
IP Address: 198.97.67.59

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AUDIO PHILOSOPHY:
I do not subscribe to the idea that just because something is 'great' to one person -- that it will be 'great' to all people. Audio is completely subjective in form. I have heard many a 'great' thing that did not involve me on an emotional level. There are simply too many variables to account for in order to make any real definitive statements about any piece of gear. We can talk about build quality, parts employed, and the wonderful design of the circuits -- but until we drop that piece of equipment into our system, into our room -- we really don't know the true value of the piece. It is true that each individual piece has it's own sonic signature, and it is good to know this -- but we really want to know is how does that signature integrate with the whole. Simply put -- I believe in component matching, finding the proper balance between the parts in order to complete the "perfect" whole.

BACKROUND INFORMATION:
I believe most of us here are familiar with the wonderful 'homogenized' sound of the Sony decks of the 80's and 90's. I had one of the 3rd generation Laserdisc/CD players running with some Magnepan 1.5QR's and Luxman equipment in the middle 80's. It was all I could afford, and with some music it could sound quite satisfying. Most of time however, it left me aching for an upgrade. I have never cared for any of the Sony decks I have heard in the past -- even ES. I tried several times, but always found the Philips based machines to always sound more refined in my systems.
I gross $62,000 a year. I have 4 kids living with me, a huge mortgage, a car payment, and a wife who went part time to home school the kids because private school tuition was bankrupting us. I no longer have the luxury of disposable income. I have just completed upgrading my complete system, and this latest incarnation will have to do for some time to come. The only piece I had not upgraded was my Anthem CD-1 -- which I was still very happy with. To upgrade that piece would necessitate selling it off -- which I did not relish doing.
Everything I considered was beyond the price point I was comfortable moving to. Rega, Arcam, Cary, etc. -- just too much money. I had spent $1700 on the Anthem back in '96 -- and that left my stomach upset for 2 days. Not because I didn't like it, but because when you have kids and a wife you love -- you know this money should probably go towards things to benefit them as well. My wife does not bitch. She takes all this in stride. She thought I was nuts, but took it like a trooper. No, my problem is my own demons. So, how do I get better than the Anthem for around a $1000. I figured almost five years had past since I bought the Anthem, and that advances in this period of time might net me better sound for substantially less money. I decided it might not be possible -- but started lurking here at the Hi-Rez Highway.
I had pretty much decided I would give up a little quality on Redbook playback to get SACD into my system. I didn't go DVD-A primarily because I wanted a well built machine, and I just don't believe anyone except Sony is building anything to a standard that I appreciate. The Denon DVD/CD/DVD-A looks nice and has a little heft, but it's not like ES. I also don't care for multi-channel, and don't like the concept of 'fold down' or dumb down.
My main issue with mult-channel is money. If I had the money I would love to go full blown multi-channel. However, given a choice between spending $2200 on one set of speakers -- or $2200 on 6 sets of speakers. Well, I think you see my point. The same goes with the processor. To get one made and sounding on the level I could tolerate -- I would have to take out a 2nd mortgage. I did not need multi-channel playback capability, and therefore saw no point in paying for it.
Build quality aside -- I also felt that whether to go DVD-A or SACD was also going to be dependent on musical tastes. SACD is catering mostly to those who like Classical & Jazz. The bigger recording labels don't appear to be doing much of anything with SACD in the Rock/Pop area -- with the exception of Sony Music. Most SACD releases are coming from the smaller labels. DVD-Audio does have sufficient choices in the Classical & Jazz department -- but also has much more in the Pop/Rock area, and obviously appears to have more support from the bigger labels.
At any rate -- I believe both formats will survive, and don't see it so much as a format war, as two technologies that are slicing into different parts of the market. I see SACD becoming the de-facto standard for the high-end, and DVD-A catering more to those in the mass market -- who have grown comfortable with the term 'DVD'. IMHO.

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT:
I use the Cary AE-25 Super Amp with the oil filled caps upgrade, NOS East German Sieman EL-34's, Amperex 6922 PQ's in the driver stage, and GE 6CG7's as the current source.
The preamp is the Sonic Frontiers Line 1 with the stock Sovtek 6922's. Amperex Orange Globes are on the way -- but for this review, it's the Sovteks.
You can see my listening room here:
http://216.37.9.58/ubb/uploads/deang/MVC-003S.JPG
No room treatments as of yet -- I will be doing this next week.
The Speakers are the Klipsch Reference RF7's. Like all my speakers I have ever owned -- they are two ways. The RF7 employs two anodized 10" drivers and a tractrix horn loaded titanium dome. The crossover is 2.2Khz. The sonic signature is not the same as the Klipsch Heritage or Legend speakers -- which I do not care for. I wanted the resolution of a Magnepan and the dynamics of a horn. The RF7 does both admirably. Certainly not as fast as the Maggies or the with extreme dynamics of an exponential horn loaded system -- but enough of both to bring it to the middle producing a very satisfying sonic experience. For more info, see the recent issue of Sound & Vision for a review. You can also see the review of the RB5 bookshelf here:
http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/loudspeakers/klipsch-rb5.html
This will at give you an idea of the sonic signature for the Klipsch Reference line. Included in the review are some nifty charts plotting both frequency response and impedance curves.
Klipsch LF-10 Subwoofer: Klipsch was plagued with production problems trying to get this thing out on the market. Many units were sent out that had air leaks around the amp plate or one of the passive radiators. This resulted in spyder slap and/or the amp overheating and shutting down. However, just as many were sent out that had no problems. I have one of those. It's not a Carver Sunfire -- but does well in my small room. I have just sold it and am waiting on a SVS 20-39PCi. For this review -- no sub was used.

REVIEW PART I: REDBOOK PLAYBACK
The more you spend the more you get. However, I also believe in the Law of Diminishing Returns. When I read that a $1200 unit does not sound as good as a $3000 unit -- I understand. When I also read that 'it comes close', I understand that it is usually much less than a stone's throw away. If I can get within 95% of the mark for half the money -- I'm elated.
I do not have a Redbook playback system employing the 'Hyper Extreme Super Power DAC' in line with the 'Maxibit Jitter Killer III' -- the only thing I have to compare the 9000es to is my Anthem CD-1 and my Marantz DV-7010 DVD combo player ($799).
The Anthem had detail in spades. Nice shimmer on the upper treble and a good full-bodied bass. The unit was not well received by The Absolute Sound when it was reviewed. They felt it had too much bass, poor rhythm, and was too laid back. I on the other hand -- always felt it totally rocked. It didn't have the 'haze' I heard on the many other players I listened too, and it really did a good job of taking off the digital edge. It worked well with my all solid-state gear, creating a good soundstage with some decent depth and warmth. There was always a little space between the instruments, and the background was reasonably dark. The only complaint I ever had was with the Sony changer it employed -- which always sounded like it was loading torpedoes.
I did not want to sell this unit. Before I made the decision to sell it -- I spent almost a week comparing the Redbook playback to my much newer Marantz. The Marantz had a little touch of that 'haze' or 'filmy' quality, but it really had a nice extended top end with very little splash. The bass was extremely tight as compared to the Anthem, and it certainly had a bit of that toe tapping quality. The downside was that I didn't feel it put any space between the instruments. It was certainly open sounding, but it just didn't produce that quality of putting things in their place. The music was just...there. I even caught myself trying to move my chair back a little -- like I needed to give it some room to do it's thing. I knew that part of this experiment involved my ears adjusting to the sound. It did get better towards the end of the week -- and I decided that it was certainly much better than units I had heard previously between the $300 - $500 price points.
In this shoot off the Anthem won -- but not by leaps and bounds. They just did things differently. The only thing that really bothered my about the Marantz was the digital haze. There wasn't allot, but it was there nonetheless -- calling attention to itself. However, it was SACD I was after, and I reasoned that with the kind of music I listen to -- I could live with it if need be. If you are wondering why I was so concerned about the Redbook capability of the Marantz -- it is because I was simply expecting the Sony to sound horrid, and I wanted a fallback position.
UPS arrived at my doorstep with the unit yesterday. The unit came double boxed from J&R Music World for $929 shipped. It was cold and rainy yesterday here in Ohio -- and when I opened the boxes, the Sony was very cold to the touch. I decided to let her sit for about a 1/2 hour so that any moisture accumulating because of the temperature change would have time to evaporate.
I waited 2 minutes, unwrapped it, picked it up, grunted, put it in the rack, grunted again, ran my wires, and fired her up. I waited a few minutes, just admiring it. It's really a gorgeous piece of equipment.
I had heard about the lack of ergonomics with the buttons on the front panel. I guess some have trouble with them. It took me about 10 seconds to figure them out. The buttons are great. What else can I say? Very nifty little soft touch devices. For those that have difficulty with them, I can only think they have never used an old fashioned cassette deck. The buttons are set up quite similiarly.
I pushed the button for the drawer. It slid out, smooth as a baby's butt. It's not plastic. It was aluminum. It was quiet. It's cool. I reached out and took hold of the tray. I moved it around a little. Sure, a little play. Actually less than my Anthem had. A little play does not mean loose. A little play is a good thing. The last thing I want is the drawer hosing up with age, if a little dust accumulates in the mechanism, or if the lubricant runs dry.
I started with Fuel's first release. It's a good Redbook recording. I pushed the button again (there it is), the drawer pulled back in. Again, very quiet compared to what I am used to. I am already mentally preparing myself, and bracing for disappointment. It is after all -- a Sony. I head to my chair thinking, "as long as it sounds as least as good as the Marantz -- it'll be O.K.
I pick up the remotes for both my SF Line 1 and 9000es. I sit. I press play. Nothing happens. I stare at my remote like a well-trained audiophile. I'm an expert, just ask my wife. The Sony is a lemon. What a POS. My non-audiophile wife asks me if I put batteries in the remote. I yell "yes" and start looking for the batteries. I put them in the remote and sit back in my chair. I hit play.
Music.
Pretty good sounding music.
Not as warm as the Anthem.
But not sterile either -- not by a long shot.
It's a rich, 'all there' kind of sound, but a little on the 'cool' side of neutral -- just as I had read in another review. I should mention here that I have what I refer to as 'sissy' ears. I like clarity -- but not the associated 'brightness' that sometimes comes with it. I need to state here, that in my system -- the Sony is not 'bright'. There is clarity without 'edge' or undue forwardness. This is not what I expected.
I then become aware that there is no 'haze' or 'filmy' quality. The sound is simply clear and actually better than the Anthem in this regard. I am really surprised by this and my hopes begin to climb.
In spite of being so clean, the treble is a little splashy on top. Maybe a touch more than the Marantz. The Sony does not have the nice shimmer on the cymbals like the Anthem did. The bass is a little lean also. Tight as hell -- but not room filling like the Anthem. More definition in the bass than both the Anthem and the Marantz. I could hear individual notes much better. At this point, I begin to relax a little. I pick up the remote to the SF and decide to listen to the rest of the opening cut and then I will put the juice to 'Jesus or Gun'.
The song ends and I skip to the cut. 'Jesus or gun' is a great grind it out kind of song with good drumming and wailing guitar. I decide to dump everything the little triode amp can muster into this song -- the whole massive 15 watts worth.
I'm buying another SPL meter tonight. I lent my old one out and it was never returned and eventually lost. I do not know what I get at the listening position with 15 tube watts. The RF7's are rated at 102db/w -- but The Sound and Vision Review put it closer to 100db/w. Nevertheless, the output is substantial.
The song breaks loose and I'm immediately blown away by the smoothness and definition. Folks, this machine's forte lies in the midrange. It is so smooth from top to bottom and completely free of any grain whatsoever. If it were there, the RF7's would find it. One of the downsides of the horn is it's propensity for pushing all the shit up along with all that wonderful low level detail. There is no shit. None.
I move on to all my favorites. Stone Temple Pilots (Core), Some very old Judas Priest (Sad Wings of Destiny), Pink Floyd (Momentary Lapse of Reason), Moody Blues, Metallica (Black), Black Sabbath (Double Live), Asia's first, and a few others I can't remember right now. Each time it was the same clear, smooth top to bottom sound, with no discernable grain or film. Always a little forward, but with no edge. Just effortless sound.

BREAK IN
My feeling on breaking in a component is like buying and breaking in a new pair of shoes. You put them on your feet and they either fit or they don't. Sometimes they fit -- but are a little too tight. You buy them thinking they will break in and fit better. However, they never do. They stretch a little, but they never feel quite right, and they end sitting in the bottom of your closet. The shoe that fits best is the one that fits best right away.
I believe equipment is the same way. You buy something and put it in your system. It doesnâ€™t sound right. You wait, hoping it will break in and begin to bloom. It eventually does, and it improves -- but it never sounds all the way 'right'. You just sit around waiting for it to break in.
Each piece has a basic sonic signature that it maintains even after it is broken in. Some of the rough edges may come off -- but never to the extent that the entire signature changes. If a unit doesn't basically sound 'right' in your system when you drop it in -- don't expect the miraculous. This is just my opinion on the matter, and I am sure many here will disagree.

AFTER-THOUGHTS
This machine integrated in my system well. I'm extremely happy. I expected anything but this. I think if you are using a tube-based system -- than this machine is probably a good choice. If you are using a solid state based system with speakers tending on the warmer side -- than this machine is probably a good choice for you too. However, if you are running all solid state, with speakers that run to the cooler side -- I think a careful audition is in order. I'm not so sure I would have liked this machine running with the Bryston 3b-st/bp-20 combo I had in my system last month. I think it would have been too much of a good thing.
I would like a little more â€˜bloomâ€™ from this machine, and I wish the bass had more weight. The very top end, like I said â€“ is a little splashy â€“ and not as transparent as it could be. The overall sound however is outstanding and I believe on a scale from 1 to 10 â€“ I would rate this machine an 8 for itâ€™s resolving power ability and smoothness. I feel no real need to mod this machine, or to run it with external digital devices -- I actually like it just the way it is.
I was fully prepared to send this machine back to J&R. It's not going anywhere. Going from the CD-1 to this machine was a substantial upgrade.
At the original list price of $1500 this unit would be a winner. At the current list price of $1200 it's even better. At $929 shipped, it's a no brainer -- a complete steal, and this is my feeling on just itâ€™s Rebook playback capability!
With the right ancillary equipment -- very highly recommended.
Part II on SACD Playback on Thursday.
Klipsch Out.

Product Weakness: A slight touch of 'splashiness' to the upper treble. Bass is tight, but is somewhat lean -- lacking the full bodied sound (weight) usually associated with good bass.
Product Strengths: Accurate representation of the sound of instruments. Transparent, wth substantial low level detail. Dynamic and fast, with decay characteristics that add a 'realness' to the sound.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cary AE-25 Super Amp/ 15 wpc
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony DVPS9000ES
Speakers:	Klipsch RF7's/ 102dbw
Cables/Interconnects:	Mit 2 Birwire/ Monster 550i
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	30 feet x 12 feet x 7 feet
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster HTS1000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	A slight touch of 'splashiness' to the upper treble. Bass is tight, but is somewhat lean -- lacking the full bodied sound (weight) usually associated with good bass.
Product Strengths:	Accurate representation of the sound of instruments. Transparent, wth substantial low level detail. Dynamic and fast, with decay characteristics that add a 'realness' to the sound.