Introduction When Lexicon first introduced the RT-10 Universal Disc Player in 2003, it was considered by many an ambitious project. Subsequently, the Proceed Audio brand was discontinued and the Harman Specialty Group (HSG) was formed. Harman International formed HSG on the cornerstone of three key brands: Mark Levinson, Lexicon and Revel. The RT-10 would be scrutinized by home theater industry experts and consumers alike, not only because it was HSG’s first foray into source componentry – the Mark Levinson brand did not and still does not manufacture a video source component although the No. 51 will be available soon – but also because it came on the heels of Proceed’s $6,000 PMDT universal transport, which had a litany of reliability issues until it was eventually discontinued. In addition, Lexicon would enter this high-stakes reference-quality segment of the market by designing the RT-10 as a hybrid player featuring two new technologies: Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio ...

Introduction In this day and age, it seems everyone, short of your immediate family, is manufacturing a DVD player. However, with so many manufacturers throwing their hats into the ring, it can become somewhat daunting as to which player to buy. Sure, you can stick with the brands you know, like Sony and Denon (to name a few), but all too often, you may end up paying a little more for the name recognition than for the performance. The flip side is taking a chance on a lesser-known brand or fledgling company, only to quickly end up with a technological boat anchor. Compound the predicament with new digital technology, as well as the supposed pending release of high-definition disc formats, and you’ve got a lot to ponder before making the trip to your local retailer. Well, the OPDV971H DVD player from Oppo Digital may just be the answer to what ails you. A relatively new ...

Introduction My audio/video system has changed dramatically over past couple years. A while back, my rack consisted of a CD player, SACD player, DVD player, VHS deck, preamplifier, surround sound processor and several power amplifiers. Of course, then there were the miles of cable it took to hook the endless string of components together. Not to mention the remotes. But that was then, and this is now. Today’s modern audio/video enthusiast has options, like receivers and universal disc players, which over the years have made huge strides in quality and performance, leaving a lot of the “traditional” solutions in the dust. Enter Denon’s 3910 single-disc, DVD-A/SACD Progressive Scan Universal Disc player, a source component that literally plays everything. One player, multiple formats: what could be better? I have been on the lookout for a good universal player for several months, because I’ve just had it with maintaining multiple players. Luckily Denon, as well as other manufacturers, ...

Introduction The world of ultra-high-end audio has had to adjust their business model quite a bit over the last decade. With technology developing in new and exciting ways, equipment manufacturers clamored to produce real-world digital products that would support the new emerging software formats when, historically, high-end audio was an industry based around excellence more in analog (preamps, amps, speakers, turntables) products. While most of the high-end equipment manufacturers steered clear of machines that supported future and uncertain formats, Linn Products, a company known for taking bold and adventurous steps in the name of uncompromised sound, took new audio formats for music and movies as a challenge. Not surprising, considering that Linn produced and sold, very successfully I might add, one of the world’s best and most expensive dedicated CD player at $20,000. Linn’s solution to the ever-growing need for a universal high-end player, which can unite all aspects of optical disc playback, is the Unidisk 1.1 ...

Introduction With the advent of high-quality universal players, the need for dedicated CD, SACD, DVD-Audio and DVD players is a thing of the past. Equipment racks around the world gave a sigh of relief and those people out there who were fretting over the DVD-Audio/SACD format war could rest easy, knowing they can have both formats at their fingertips in one single player. Integra has a very nice lineup of universal players for all budgets, with the crowning jewel in their roster being the $2,500 DPS-10.5 THX Ultra certified universal player. Anyone who scoffs at the price of this universal player compared to the lower-priced players they see advertised by electronics megastores in the Sunday newspapers need to hold this it to see that it’s in a whole different stratosphere of quality. One look at the front panel of the DPS-10.5 tells you that you are dealing with some serious playback hardware. Embossed DVD-Audio and ...