Naim DVD5 vs Arcam DV139 any ideas?

[norskmac]

Can anyone comment on a DVD5 going head to head with a DV139?
I'm looking to get a good SD dvd player with great cd replay.
Many thanks,

O.

[gpa]

Originally Posted by norskmac

Can anyone comment on a DVD5 going head to head with a DV139?
I'm looking to get a good SD dvd player with great cd replay.
Many thanks,

O.

I cannot comment on a direct head to head, but the 139 is something rather special

[Timbo21]

Originally Posted by norskmac

Can anyone comment on a DVD5 going head to head with a DV139?
I'm looking to get a good SD dvd player with great cd replay.
Many thanks,

O.

I think he Naim DVD5 looks like it will really appeal to Naim fans, but ultimately you have to say it's somewhat behind the times in regard to it's picture features.

1. The DVD5 has Faroudja deinterlacing, which is easily beaten by the ABT deinterlacer within the 139; about the best deinterlacer there is for both video & film material. You will notice music DVD's (shot in video) completely free of jagged lines with the DV139. Faoudja is a bit old now, and of course can cause the dreaded mackroblocking effect, which, believe me, will get you very upset if you pay this kind of money for a DVD player.

2. DVD5 doesn't appear to do any upscaling from what I can see of the specs. The DV139 uses about the best scaling upto 1080p without buying an external video processor.

The DVD5 also can't play SACD's, but I don't know if that's important to you.

I initially thought the DVD5 would be great if using with an external video processor, but it seems you can't output interlaced over it's DVI connection.

I'm sure CD will deliver on the DVD5, and so does the DV139. I think the DVD5 would be most considered by those already with Naim kit.

Really, if you want the best video free from artefacts, and getting superb audio from CD/DVD-A/SACD, the Arcam DV139 is hard to beat, and possibly only by spending much much more.

HTH,

T.

[spooney]

I second the others. Although I can't afford any of them I must say that even from the specs - and I am certain from a picture and potentially audio quality - my Denon 2930 outruns the Naim easily (no offense Naim owners, please) and it does not even play in the same league...

Reading the Arcam has no problem with video material impresses me a lot (I have to switch manually to avoid the nagging lines)

[norskmac]

Thanks guys...
gave me that final push to go and test the 139 with the naim pre/power setup.. will let you know what I think!
O

[True-Blue]

Waiting for my 139, due next weekend hopefully - absolutely awesome picture quality on decent quality dvd's, and the sound quality even on AV is something else.

The difference is more noticable the bigger your image.

[Nic Rhodes]

Give me the Arcam any day.

[Crustyloafer]

Arcam DV139, no question. I'm surprised this was even up for debate.

[durk]

The niam will at least make music sound exciting though! ive never heard an arcam that does yet! niam kits got drive and dynamics that the sickly sweet arcam could only dream about. But yes the arcam will be a better dvd player.
PS the arcam is a very good cd player as dvd player go i just think the niams better

[markusp]

Strong recommendations from everyone but how many of you have actually directly compared the two?

I only ask because I too am contemplating the DVD5 or the DV137 / 139.

[Nic Rhodes]

I would not have commented if I had not.

[norskmac]

Well so here's what i know so far:
I've heard the DVD5 on on the naim 202/200 ( with ATC scm 40 speakers) which sounded absolutely great, and the dvd picture on a 50' panasonic plasma was very good.
I heard the dv139 but on an avp700 bi wiring to Monitor audio gs20's thanks to a P1000.good sound but really not great, i didn't get as excited as with the naim. I am willing to believe that it is due to the amp&speaker which were just not good enough.
On the other hand: DVD wise... it's the best picture i've ever seen! clearly better than the dvd5!
Hence I am trying to go an demo the 139 with the naim setup... sometime this week perhaps if the dealer gets one in...

[markusp]

Originally Posted by norskmac

Well so here's what i know so far:
I've heard the DVD5 on on the naim 202/200 ( with ATC scm 40 speakers) which sounded absolutely great, and the dvd picture on a 50' panasonic plasma was very good.
I heard the dv139 but on an avp700 bi wiring to Monitor audio gs20's thanks to a P1000.good sound but really not great, i didn't get as excited as with the naim. I am willing to believe that it is due to the amp&speaker which were just not good enough.
On the other hand: DVD wise... it's the best picture i've ever seen! clearly better than the dvd5!
Hence I am trying to go an demo the 139 with the naim setup... sometime this week perhaps if the dealer gets one in...

Thanks for that. Let us know what you think after you do the demo.

[musicman1999]

I was looking for the same thing recently.We don't have a Naim dealer so that was out,but did audition an Arcam dv137,the 139 had not arrived yet.What i ended up buying was a Sim Audio Moon Calypso,it was clearly better on video and trashed the 137 on cd playback.Great machine.

bill

[markusp]

norskmac - did you ever get the chance to compare the Naim to the Arcam? What were your impressions and more importantly, what did you end up purchasing?