Pioneer DVD 717 vs Rega Planet as Transport

[Ninanina]

I consider that my Pioneer DVD, which cost virtually nothing, very good used as my cd transport hooked up to the Rega DAC. But i've been thinking whether it could be improved upon without spending a fortune

As some may remember i did have a Meridian 506 and to be honest I don't miss it

I've always quite liked the look of the Rega top loaders

I don't suppose anyone has tried a Pioneer DVD (7, or 9 series) against a Rega and what their findings were ?

:)

[istari_knight]

What planet are we talking ? Personally I don't rate the Mk1 at all... Basically a glorified discman with some design jiggery-pokery to make it sound acceptable :spew:

I've no experience with the new[er] stuff but would expect the Pioneer to be very close for significantly less outlay.

[jandl100]

Based on my experience comparing the Pioneer to many other CDPs/transports (but I've not used a Rega) I'd expect the Pioneer to better the Regas significantly.

Those Pioneer DVD players are very special when used as CD transports! :thumbsup:

[nat8808]

Is that the one Goldumnd stuck in a fancy case and sold for loads?

Ram buffering in DVD players is quite a good thing for audio so it seems.

[Mr Kipling]

I was wondering what Sony's 725 might sound lilke as a transport. It was Sony's rival to the 717.

[Gromit]

Based on my experience comparing the Pioneer to many other CDPs/transports (but I've not used a Rega) I'd expect the Pioneer to better the Regas significantly.

Those Pioneer DVD players are very special when used as CD transports! :thumbsup:

^This^

We have an old Pioneer DV-44 (I think it is) and it's a fabulous thing when used as a transport. Only reasons I'm not presently using it in the hifi system is that a. it's being utilised as a DVD player on the old telly in the day room and b. the Sony ES looks better (yes, I'm shallow!). :D

[Ninanina]

So it looks as though I should stick with the Pioneer 717 as my transport.... It's just always a surprise that such an inexpensive unit can "cut-it" with the more expensive units. Though I should add that I do NOT miss my Meridian 506 player since having the Pioneer 717....

[synsei]

Based on my experience comparing the Pioneer to many other CDPs/transports (but I've not used a Rega) I'd expect the Pioneer to better the Regas significantly.

Those Pioneer DVD players are very special when used as CD transports! :thumbsup:

Can't say the same Jerry, my Arcam CD72 significantly outperforms a DV737 as both a transport and CDP in my system and not only that, the build quality of the Arcam is streets ahead of the Pioneer. I'm not saying the Pioneer sounds crap because it doesn't, but there really is no comparison between the two machines IME ;)

[istari_knight]

Depends on budget ultimately. DV-717's have sold for £30 on eBay for the last 5 years or so. I know, I've bought 3 of them to use as interim transports every now & then. For that price they can't be beat... The matching VSA-E06 is also good fun & can be found for under £70 ;)

[synsei]

Depends on budget ultimately. DV-717's have sold for £30 on eBay for the last 5 years or so. I know, I've bought 3 of them to use as interim transports every now & then. For that price they can't be beat... The matching VSA-E06 is also good fun & can be found for under £70 ;)

Maybe the 717 is the better unit James, I couldn't comment as I've not owned one, however in a straight fight between the 737 and the CD72, in this system and to these ears the latter delivers far superior SQ to the former. There is one Pioneer CDP which I've had in my system which does comfortably trounce the Arcam and that through its analogue outputs rather than ported through the Rega DAC, and that was a PD-S 702 stable platter machine. ;)

[istari_knight]

What are you still doing up !? :D

If I had to choose, the Arcam would win every time but I don't think you can get one for under £50. We must be careful not to get caught up in our own enthusiasm where you can start believing your own hyperbole... The Pioneers are very good for the price but I wouldn't choose to use one if I could afford something else.

[jandl100]

Can't say the same Jerry, my Arcam CD72 significantly outperforms a DV737 as both a transport and CDP in my system and not only that, the build quality of the Arcam is streets ahead of the Pioneer. I'm not saying the Pioneer sounds crap because it doesn't, but there really is no comparison between the two machines IME ;)

Interesting!

I have an Arcam DV29 DVD player - it's good as a CD transport but not as good as the Pioneer 717 in my system, to my ears etc. :)

[Yomanze]

Can't say the same Jerry, my Arcam CD72 significantly outperforms a DV737 as both a transport and CDP in my system and not only that, the build quality of the Arcam is streets ahead of the Pioneer. I'm not saying the Pioneer sounds crap because it doesn't, but there really is no comparison between the two machines IME ;)

Definitely the CD72 has better build, but you seem to have changed your tune now that you've sold the unit. I thought there wasn't much between them?

PS, it's nice to chat about CD transport differences without getting descended upon by waves of "they can't possibly make a difference" posts… :P

[Mr.Ian]

I have owned a Pioneer 868 for several years now, not that it get used much these days but I did try it as a transport once, my clocked Meridian 200 was way way ahead of it. In a somewhat rash and much regretted move I swapped the 200 for a 500 to match the 868 processor I had at the time. Bad move the 500 was nothing but trouble and the 868 didn't do anything for me sound wise as either processor or a dac.

I am now running a Toshiba SD9500 as a DVD source and CD transport and I am very pleased all round, actually its very good as a CD player in its own right, its video and audio are way better than the 868, BUT I still have a hankering that my old 200 would be even better.

As for the 717, I am pretty sure these buffered the data before it went to the dac. I am guessing this is a feature that was dropped before the 868 came along and could explain why the 717 is reputedly so good as a transport.

[DSJR]

What planet are we talking ? Personally I don't rate the Mk1 at all... Basically a glorified discman with some design jiggery-pokery to make it sound acceptable :spew:

I've no experience with the new[er] stuff but would expect the Pioneer to be very close for significantly less outlay.

Total bullsh*t, but then I would say that. wouldn't I :lol:

The thing is, ANY good DVD transport *should* make for a first class spinner for audio CD's, apart from lengthy load-up times as the TOC is read and processed. The money went onto the video processing I understand and it's this that often limits CD audio performance when used as stand-alone players.

Back to Rega - the Planet mk1 can still be serviced, had an excellent long lived and reliable little transport in it, sounded great at the time with regards to it's £500 competition and the top loading gave it some sort of personality, whether you like it or not. Whether you'd like to use one as a transport is a subjective/ergonomic matter (Jerry), and the final choice is obviously yours. Bearing in mind that current 'CD' mechs used today are almost certainly hobbled DVD drives anyway, I'd carry on with the Pioneer until it fails and then look around for another DVD drive with digital output in all honesty... Don't worry about jitter rubbish, I believe that was sorted many years ago and before DVD's appeared where domestic audio is concerned :)

[struth]

I've got 2 717's and they are excellent....my denon 2900 is no shabby performer either.