Should I buy Pioneer LD-S2?
Rice
better performance player sometime in the future and was wondering how good
the LD-S2 player is. I have heard mixed reviews about this player. Some say
it is much better than the 704 and others say the 704 is better. Does anyone
on this group know anything about the picture quality of this unit verses
the 704? Would I get a noticeable better picture from this player or would I
be better off getting a CLD-97 or 99 Elite player? Any info would be
appreciated. Thanks!
Kevin
BILLSCHWENKE
There are those who know the S2, and it is not a large step up...the LD-S9 for
dedicated LD playback is a prefered player...if a bit spendy.
As far as I know, I've been told they're still made in Japan! I bought an
import CLD-HF9G which is the precursor to the LD-S9, and a clone for the
CLD-99...I can tell you, the picture quality and operation is EXCELLENT! I also
have a CLD-D703 for the additional video tweaks it includes...and headphone
jack, which I miss on most components.
A CLD-97 is one hot ticket item, and is about the same price as a good 99 these
days.
The major difference is a dedicated LD clamp versus CD capability.
Bill S.
Todd Spangler
I have a CLD-97, LD-S2 and CLD-79 myself, among other players. Keep
in mind that the 704 and 79 have virtually an identical picture, which
the 99 has a slightly better picture compared to those two only
because it has a very good comb filter. In my mind, the CLD-97 and
LD-S2 have a similar look to their picture and are roughly equivalent
in quality, with the CLD-97 having superior features. My opinion is
that my CLD-79 has a sharper picture than my LD-S2, but the 79's
picture is perhaps a bit more unnatural looking with its particular
implementation of digital noise reduction. The LD-S2 is much quieter
and more mechanically robust than the CLD-79 but is only one sided
play, has no AC-3 output, no CD playback capability, and has one
Toslink output.
There appears to be a very nice LD-S2 up for auction on eBay right
now, and you may want to consider it if you have some spare cash, but
your 704 is a very good player in its own right. Also keep in mind
that a Japanese import player such as the HLD-X9 would offer higher
performance than any of these models, though it would certainly cost
more as well. If you're already thinking of spending $500+ for a ten
year old LD player, maybe you can somehow justify the jump up to the
$$$ required for one of these. If you are into laserdisc and can
afford something like the HLD-X9, I would certainly go for it.
Todd
Joshua Zyber
I have heard many fine things about the LD-S2's playback quality, however
you have to balance these against the fact that it is a single-side-play
only machine.
I also believe that it does not have an RF-output, if that matters to you.
- Josh
Rice
The main thing that bothers me with the 704 are the comb filter artifacts,
so a better comb filter would be most beneficial in my situation. My tv (a
Sony 32" Trinitron), doesn't have a good comb filter either. The one in the
704 is better. Thanks for the help everyone!
Kevin
"Joshua Zyber" <jzy...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
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tipper_the_dog
I've owned and used an LD-S2 continuously for about ten years. I love
it. It does have downsides such has already been noted. It just ain't
the most modern of machines. In its day it was considered the best but
that day has long past, although it's certainly no slouch and it's
still better than the cheap stuff. It is the quietest (I sit 3 feet
from it and can hardly hear it) and quickest machine I've ever
encountered, plus it's been absolutely reliable (you'd think the laser
would have worn out by now but it's going strong). Would I go for one
if I already owned a 704? I don't think so. I will say this: I've
never had any buyers remorse with the LD-S2, the only piece of
electronics I can say that about. And it's gorgeous (and heavy!).
My hope is to obtain one of those high-end Pioneers within the next
year, if they can still be obtained.
Kevin Hawerchuk
Keep in my that some on the ng. aren't overly thrilled with the
performance of the Pioneer CLD 99. I remember Thad once saying he used
his as a doorstop, and much preferred the Pioneer CLD 704!
If the artifacts of the Pioneer CLD D704 bug you, why not try a
Panasonic player? Everyone seems married to Pioneer players, but, at
one point, I picked up a Panasonic LX 900 and afterwards, retired my
Pioneer CLD D703 to the hallway closet!
This player has a super sharp picture, good color saturation, and
very low grain. On old, poorly pressed discs, this low grain
characteristic really shines.
The only way the 703/704 players can beat it for luminence or color
noise, is to have the DNR cranked up high, which introduces the
artifacts. The natural low-noise levels of the machine make for a more
than pleasing picture!
Just my two cents.
Kevin.
Thad Floryan
| [...]
| Keep in my that some on the ng. aren't overly thrilled with the
| performance of the Pioneer CLD 99. I remember Thad once saying he used
| his as a doorstop, and much preferred the Pioneer CLD 704!
Heh! Let's put the "doorstop" into perspective, though. After getting
two HLD-X9 players I put the CLD-99 back into its box and for want of
a better place to store the box (with the player inside) it _is_ serving
as a doorstop -- it's not like I simply propped it up on its side against
the door. :-)
As for preferring the CLD-D704 over the CLD-99, my CLD-D704 has 1000s of
hours on it and continues to serve me fine in my family room whereas the
CLD-99 has been to the shop twice with less than 500 hours' use on it.
FWIW, all my players were purchased new in factory-sealed boxes.
| If the artifacts of the Pioneer CLD D704 bug you, why not try a
| Panasonic player? Everyone seems married to Pioneer players, but, at
| one point, I picked up a Panasonic LX 900 and afterwards, retired my
| Pioneer CLD D703 to the hallway closet!
At least you had a closet with available space; I don't, and I did need
a doorstop. :-)
Thad Floryan
| [...]
| My hope is to obtain one of those high-end Pioneers within the next
| year, if they can still be obtained.
Someone recently reported here in AVL the next production run of the
HLD-X9 will be this December (2001), so they should continue to be
available new for awhile.
Of greater concern is the continuing availability of AC-3 RF demodulators
since it's uncertain whether that capability will continue to be available;
at present only some high-end Pioneer receivers [seem to] continue to have
that input.
Todd Spangler
> Of greater concern is the continuing availability of AC-3 RF demodulators
> since it's uncertain whether that capability will continue to be available;
> at present only some high-end Pioneer receivers [seem to] continue to have
> that input.
One could also buy a preamp/processor with this capability like the
Marantz AV-9000 (MSRP = $1900), but I realize this is more than most
people spend on an entire receiver. Sony makes a similarly priced
unit also, and there are even more expensive units available from
companies like Theta. Beyond the cost of the preamp/processor, one
must also buy a separate multichannel amplifier or a bunch of
monoblock or stereo amplifiers in this type of set up, as
preamp/processors lack internal amplification.
Todd
BILLSCHWENKE
>Beyond the cost of the preamp/processor, one
>must also buy a separate multichannel amplifier or a bunch of
>monoblock or stereo amplifiers in this type of set up, as
>preamp/processors lack internal amplification.
You forget about six channel input for DVD-Audio and SACD (if it's done on
board, which I think it is) and other internal decoders. I have daisy chained
my Teac D9100 with internal DD RF to a more updated DTS equipped receiver with
6 channel and now will have 7 channel for DD EX/DTS ES.
The only real drawback is having to switch input connectors for DVD-Audio
versus the pre-out for the Teac. It does work though...especially for me, a guy
who can't afford to spend $150 to $200 for a stand alone RF
demodulator...Absurd!!
I agree that the apparent abundance of phono inputs versus the needed RF demod
built in is insane!!!! You don't really need DD decoding for a phono input, but
you do for LD!
Bill S.
Bill Schwenke
> Kev...@webtv.net (Kevin Hawerchuk) wrote:
> | [...]
> | Keep in my that some on the ng. aren't overly thrilled with the
> | performance of the Pioneer CLD 99. I remember Thad once saying he used
> | his as a doorstop, and much preferred the Pioneer CLD 704!
>
> Heh! Let's put the "doorstop" into perspective, though. After getting
> two HLD-X9 players I put the CLD-99 back into its box and for want of
> a better place to store the box (with the player inside) it _is_ serving
> as a doorstop -- it's not like I simply propped it up on its side against
> the door. :-)
>
> As for preferring the CLD-D704 over the CLD-99, my CLD-D704 has 1000s of
> hours on it and continues to serve me fine in my family room whereas the
> CLD-99 has been to the shop twice with less than 500 hours' use on it.
>
> FWIW, all my players were purchased new in factory-sealed boxes.
>
Hi
All mine were bought used and they all worked except for the D703
having a bit of physical damage, and the poor load belts on the
D703/Elite 59.
I feel the digital NR is hardly significant in offering variations in
the image, the TV adjustments make much more of a difference. I am not
saying nothing results from player tweeks, but you have to have the
videophile Golden Eyes I would say.
My CLD-HF9G is a virtual clone for the 99, and it works best of all my
players...but I have a fondness for the controls the D703 offers, I
think that would hold true of a CLD-97, if I could afford one. I will
strive to get at least one HX9 as I do intend to keep my Lasers, at
least most.
Bill Schwenke
> | If the artifacts of the Pioneer CLD D704 bug you, why not try a
> | Panasonic player? Everyone seems married to Pioneer players, but, at
> | one point, I picked up a Panasonic LX 900 and afterwards, retired my
> | Pioneer CLD D703 to the hallway closet!
>
> At least you had a closet with available space; I don't, and I did need
> a doorstop. :-)
I have no closet space either...doesn't help that I keep picking up
more electronics at thrift stores, and own 5 guitars!
Aaron James Garman
Sony. In terms of processing, it's nothing special. The only nice think
about it is that it can act as a stand-alone demodulator. I just hope it
never breaks down. Oh, the model number is SDP-E800. Adios.
AJ Garman
"BILLSCHWENKE" <billsc...@aol.com> wrote in message
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