Pondering new DVD player

[plastic penguin]

Over the Christmas period my Sony DVD recorder has started to mess around - it's been iffy for a while. I've already had it repaired back in the summer, but time is catching up with it.

My budget is limited to, maybe, 300/400 quid. I'm not fussed if it's a recorder or a DVD player, but it must be an improvement on my Sony (sound and picture-wise).

I've been searching out Marantz and Arcam's that are on offer at the moment. Sound quality takes priority over absolute picture quality.

Suggestions please.

 

[Tonestar1]

Hi,

I'm now running a Arcam AVR350 and DV135 through a set of B&W 684s and to my ear it sounds fantasic. At the price I got them for (Less than £850 combined) I really beleive it's hard to beat for stereo in this price bracket. I have the speakers bi amped and the sounstage this combo produces is fantastic.

Thanks

 

[Sorreltiger]

If sound quality is your priority, bear in mind that the improvement in audio from Blu-Ray is at least as significant as the visual dimension. ÿIf your amp can't decode the new HD audio formats, you could buy a player which does that and send the information via analogue. ÿYou would still be able to watch upscaled DVD - my Sony blu-ray player is almost as good an upscaler as my Pioneer TV.

 

[VoodooDoctor]

You thought about getting a Blu-ray player rather than a DVD player for that money?

 

[plastic penguin]

VoodooDoctor:You thought about getting a Blu-ray player rather than a DVD player for that money?

Oh yeah, but I only have a CRT television.