Which 5.1 speaker package and which DVD player? Denon and Dali?

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Dear What Hi-Fi,

I have the following kit at the moment:

Plasma: Samsung PDP 50Q97HDX (2007)

DVD: Pioneer DV565D (2001)

Amp: Denon AVC A10SE (2002)

Speakers: KEF KHT2005.1 (2002)

The DVD player is connected to the amp via an optical digital cable and the TV is connected to the DVD player via RGB Scart as this was the European DVD model and therefore doesn't have any component outputs. DOH! The speakers are all using QED Silver Anniversary cables.

I've been thinking about getting some new speakers as the Amp is much more capable than the KEF satellites and sub are able to show. the Dali Ikon 6 5.1 sounds like a fantastic set according to your reviews but would they be the best pairing for my Amp?

I've also been thinking about upgrading the DVD player to make the most of the screen and there seem to be 2 routes here (all DVD not HD just yet!) Either the budget option of the Denon DVD-1940 when it's released or the more expensive Marantz DV7001.

What I need to know about these DVD players is whether I will suffer serious lip-sync issues sending audio to my Amp via the digital connectors whilst the picture goes to the plasma via HDMI. Also, as the sound is going via a digital link is there really any difference (on sound) between using the Denon or the Marantz. Should I buy the Marantz and connect it via analogue cables? If I did that and there were lip-sync issues I then wouldn't be able to put a Felston DD740 in line to delay the digital signal. Does the Marantz have a built in audio delay feature, would this work better.

The plasma is amazing and bought thanks largely to your review in July. My parents, who'd been watching a 25 year old 24 inch TV now have my Pioneer PDP-4270 purchased last Christmas, which I must say is a truly lovely screen. But when you can buy a 50 inch 5* supertest winner for £1080, you can't really argue with that! Bigger is, mostly, better, though is throwing up more issues than the 42" screen did!

Be delighted with a bit of help with the speaker and DVD player choice!

Thanks What Hi-Fi and all you readers out there!

Will

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes to the Dali speakers, and yes to the Marantz DVD player. Not sure about the Denon 1940, as I haven't seen it yet.

Don't think you'll have any problems with lip-sync, but I'd stick to the standard digital link unless you also want to play SACD/DVD-A discs, when you will need the six-channel analogue hook-up, too.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andrew! I was looking for a bit of a confidence boost before buying a new DVD player and certainly before investing a stack in the new speakers!

Will start saving now!

Does anyone know the cheapest place to buy the Marantz DVD and the Dali speakers? So far have only been able to find the Marantz listed online at one retailer using Kelkoo at £499. Nothing but premium Hi-Fi retailers for the Dalis. But I'm open to suggestions! Maybe a trip along Tottenham Court Road this weekend is in order.

🙂

 

[Clare Newsome]

Hi Will,

You won't find any Dali's on Tottenham Court Road, i'm afraid - as you've already discovered from your web search they're a lot more specialist than that. Here's where you can find your local 😀ali stockist

And the same for :Marantz

If you change your mind about the DVD player, we're reviewing the new Denon in our October issue, on sale August 23rd.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Clare.

Yes, I know. The Dalis are a little bit beyond the "pile 'em high sell 'em cheap" stores and the Marantz seems to be too.

Your point about the DVD player is exactly what is concerning me. The new (DVD-1940) Denon will no doubt receive 5*s from you if they've managed to even marginally improve on the old one and haven't messed with the price too much. Assuming that the audio is sent to my amp via an optical connector then both the DVD players, the Marantz and the Denon, are to all intents and purposes sending the same signal and should sound the same (shouldn't they?). The real difference is going to be in video performance. Is it really worth spending twice as much on the Marantz? Will I notice a sufficient improvement in picture to warrent the spend or should I take a jolly good look at the Denon when it comes out?

Considering the gear I currently have and my intention to compliment any DVD purchase with the Dali Ikons I really do want this to be the last upgrade I make before HD in a few years time. That said, I don't want to be simply spending money for the sake of it!

What's your view Clare and Andrew?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Certainly no guarantee the new Denon will receive five stars - we never second-guess test results around here!

Re the performance - they shouldn't and don't sound the same. in simple, non-technical terms (i'll leave Andrew to talk technical), DVD players do a lot of work to extract both visual and audio information off your discs, and the (good) higher-end players are successful in pumping out more movie sound and vision.

Sometimes you have to make a big leap up in price to see a substantial improvement in performance, however - which is why, for example, the price points of our DVD player Award winners last year were £80, £250, £650, £850 and £1500...

 

[Anonymous]

Which would suggest that whatever the Denon review, it's worth delving deep into the financial reserves and buying the Marantz. Andrew backed it earlier so I'm guessing he'll still be in favour.Thanks Clare. Advice much appreciated. Must say, these forum's speak volumes about how good the What Hi-Fi team are. It's really enjoyable to be able to share thoughts and receive feedback. Big "thank you"s all round!

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Will Harris"]Andrew backed it earlier so I'm guessing he'll still be in favour.[/quote]

But have to make it clear I've neither seen nor heard the Denon...

 

[Anonymous]

Yup, on principle Andrew, just on principle 🙂

And to jump in and beat you to it! I suppose we'd better look forward to the next edition of What Hi-Fi, to read all about it! ;-)

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Will Harris"]
Yup, on principle Andrew, just on principle 🙂

And to jump in and beat you to it! I suppose we'd better look forward to the next edition of What Hi-Fi, to read all about it! ;-)

[/quote]

Nah, I'd never be that obvious. TBH I'm fairly well out of the loop on WHFSV reviews these days - I tend not to know how something's done until it's published, just like you...

That's why there are so many IMHOs and 'personally's in my posts...