Yard Sale grabs: Technics DVD-A10 & Kyocera Tuner

capecodder

Been a stranger for a while but figured I'd check in for some input on two recent grabs from this past weekend. Don't expect pictures as I'm too lazy, so google if you're curious.

First is a Technics DVD-A10 dvd/cd player from mid-1990's. Very impressive build quality feel to it and weighs around 19 lbs. and cost $1200 around yr. 2000. Way more features than I will ever need/utilize. I don't need the dvd side of it since I'm happy with my Marantz SACD/DVD player (9000 series; I forget the model#) for video viewing so I may try it in my audio setup. Curious if people think the audio quality will be a noticeable step up from my Nakamichi Music Bank cd player. I do not now, nor ever intend to get into SACD recordings and I spin more vinyl than cds anyway. The NAK' is a nice compact multi player that is convenient for parties etc and has always sounded fine to me but I've never really done much comparison.

An interesting aspect of this player is that it was the "flagship" store model demo for the now defunct Tweeter store/chain. The guy I bought it from used to work there and he seemed to think it was a specially hand-built unit for store demo use. I have no clue about that but it does have a sticker on the back that says "NOT FOR SALE" as does the manual. Kinda cool from a rarity perspective.

Other piece is a Kyocera T-910 tuner. Apparently Kyocera built high end audio electronics for a period in the mid 1980's that are considered quite good. Again the build quality of this tuner is top notch. Quick research suggests that some reviewer(s) thought it may have a silght inherent background noise but I doubt these ears may ever hear it. If I choose, this would take the place of my faithful Sansui TU-999 which is also very good as many of the top vintage Sansui tuners are known to be.

So, any comments, recommendations, or chastising for never being around much are appreciated (well maybe not the chastising).

steveinaz

Cool stuff, Kyocera did build hi-fi in the 80's, used to see it quite a bit in Europe.

Danny Tse

capecodder wrote: »

I do not now, nor ever intend to get into SACD recordings and I spin more vinyl than cds anyway.

The Technics will not play SACD. If you have a hybrid SACD, for example - Dark Side of the Moon, then it will play the CD layer of a hybrid SACD. On the other hand, the Technics will allow you to play DVD-A like Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms (on DualDisc) and listen to its Grammy-winning surround mix.

capecodder

Thanks Danny. Well, shows ya what I don't know. I don't have a clue what DVD-A is nor do i have any surround sound set-up for my video viewing anyway. I am old school and currently simply watch video with audio running through a 2-channel system (separate from my primariy audio system). Since I might only hook this up to the main audio as a primary cd player basic question I guess is whether I will appreciate (notice) a better 2-channel sound with this player.

Danny Tse

capecodder wrote: »

Thanks Danny. Well, shows ya what I don't know. I don't have a clue what DVD-A is nor do i have any surround sound set-up for my video viewing anyway. I am old school and currently simply watch video with audio running through a 2-channel system (separate from my primariy audio system). Since I might only hook this up to the main audio as a primary cd player basic question I guess is whether I will appreciate (notice) a better 2-channel sound with this player.

Don't worry, I only have 2 channel sound as well.

DVD-A is/was SACD's rival in the big hi-rez audio "format war". I think it can be safe to say now that SACD "won" that war, although neither side can really claim victory. DVD-A and SACD promised better sound quality than CD, and both can provide full surround sound. Releases for DVD-A have basically stopped, but SACD continues. I don't what type of music you like, but for what it's worth, if you're into the Beatles, I'd suggest the DVD-A of Beatles' "Love" soundtrack from its Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil show to try out the Technics.

George Grand

I think you overspent.

comfortablycurt

Are CD players of that kind of vintage really competitive with more modern CD players? With how far the technologies have come, I find it hard to believe that a CD player that's that old could really compete with anything newer...even the cheaper universal players of the last few years seem to have much better technology in them than the high end players from the last couple decades.

Anyone have any input?