Philips DVD763SA Multi-Channel SACD/DVD Player

• Plays DVD-Video, SACD, video CD, audio CD,CD-Rs and CD-RWs loaded with MP3 files
• SACD bass management optimizes multichannel audio playback for your audio/video receiver
• Multichannel analog RCA audio outputs (for 5.1-channel SACD, Dolby Digital, and DTS decoding); 2 digital-audio outputs
• PAL-to-NTSC format conversion--great for viewing non-region-encoded European discs
• 120-disc parental lockout, 5-disc resume

I bought this unit specifically to play the new Super Audio SACDs. In particular, I wanted something that would play the new Rolling Stones ABKCO SACD reissues.

The unit does a great job of playing the SACDs. But there is no headphone output anywhere on the unit. There is no Volume Control on the unit or the Remote Control, which appears to be more directed at playing DVD movies than SACD purposes.

The unit is constructed very inexpensively. I really miss the headphone output, and would have been happy to pay a few dollars more for the feature. The unit is very lightweight.

I would have preferred a more solid unit. The disc tray hangs a bit loose in the open position, and CDs don't fit down in the tray solidly. The unit does not completely turn off unless the power is cut to it, the unit has a "Standby" switch only.

Because the SACD technology is new, I did not want to buy an expensive unit for several thousand dollars at this point. I guess for the entry level price I can't expect the machine of my dreams.

Buy Philips DVD763SA Multi-Channel SACD/DVD Player Now

This is a good DVD player at a very reasonable price. But it has an additional feature which makes it very special: in addition to DVDs and regular CDs, it plays the new SACDs -which are the finest sounding recordings currently available.

When conventional CDs became available they displaced LPs in the marketplace because of their small size and the fact that their sound did not degrade with the ticks and pops that even the best-maintained LPs eventually acquire. But, despite these advantages -as well as significant improvements in CD sound over time with technological advances such as oversampling -many connoisseurs maintained that CDs never achieved the warmth and high-frequency sweetness characteristic of top-grade audiophile LPs. Now that has changed. Super Audio CDs are superior in sound to the finest audiophile-quality LPs I've ever heard. Furthermore, even conventional CDs played on a SACD player sound better than they do on typical CD players. In fact, the best conventional CDs in my collection equal audiophile-quality LPs in sound when played on a SACD player and the new SACDs sound even better. If you're going to buy a DVD player, why not get one like which also plays both CDs and the new terrific-sounding SACDs?

Read Best Reviews of Philips DVD763SA Multi-Channel SACD/DVD Player Here

I love the price great deal for an SACD-compatible DVD player. I use a Kenwood receiver and speakers (HTB-504 home theatre in-a-box) but have replaced the sub with a Velodyne CHT-12. I connected the 6-channel analog audio with 3 pairs of Stealth FLR silver interconnects, the digital audio with a Stealth Fineline MK II S/PDIF digital coaxial cable, and the video with Audioquest/Cinemaquest YIQ-3 component video cables. The SACD sound is outstanding, and I actually prefer it for use as a DVD player over my Toshiba SD-3755 5-disc DVD changer, even though Toshiba DVD players are generally considered better than Philips. It automatically adjusts to correctly display widescreen movies, whereas with my Toshiba I have to use the 16:9 enhanced mode on my Sony TV. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, and, in retrospect, would gladly have paid more for it. The buyer should be aware, however, that it can get quite expensive buying the high-quality interconnect cables necessary for SACD playback.

Want Philips DVD763SA Multi-Channel SACD/DVD Player Discount?

This is a good DVD player at a very reasonable price. But it has an additional feature which makes it very special: in addition to DVDs and regular CDs, it plays the new SACDs -which are the finest sounding recordings currently available.

When conventional CDs became available they displaced LPs in the marketplace because of their small size and the fact that their sound did not degrade with the ticks and pops that even the best-maintained LPs eventually acquire. But, despite these advantages -as well as significant improvements in CD sound over time with technological advances such as oversampling -many connoisseurs maintained that CDs never achieved the warmth and high-frequency sweetness characteristic of top-grade audiophile LPs. Now that has changed. Super Audio CDs are superior in sound to the finest audiophile-quality LPs I've ever heard. Furthermore, even conventional CDs played on a SACD player sound better than they do on typical CD players. In fact, the best conventional CDs in my collection equal audiophile-quality LPs in sound when played on a SACD player and the new SACDs sound even better. If you're going to buy a DVD player, why not get one like which also plays both CDs and the new terrific-sounding SACDs?