Yamaha DVD-S1500 DVD player.(Product/Service Evaluation)

Manufacturer: Yamaha Electronics Corporation, 6660 Orangethorpe Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620; 800/ 492-6242

Price: $450

Source: Manufacturer Loan

This review is a bit longer than usual (even for me), because it will deal not only with an SACD/ DVD-A player but will also discuss the viability of those two technologies in general. Consider it as a combination player review and one of my regular Skeptimania columns lumped together. In addition, Dr. David Rich will offer up a tutorial on DAC design, including comments about the converter in this player.

A number of my upcoming Scoping Software recording review columns will deal with specific SACD releases and will involve the use of the player being reviewed here. Some of those will also critique the technology in general.

I reviewed the Yamaha DVD-S795 DVD player back in issue 80 and reviewed the more upscale DVD-S1200 in issue 90. I liked them both, although I did point out that one could at that time get video and audio performance from lower-priced versions that was about as good as what they each offered. The Yamaha units had some notable features that set them apart from lower-priced models from the competition available at the time, however.

OK, now we have still another player from the company and one difference between those earlier Yamaha players and this new one involves price. The DVD-S1500 costs considerably less than both of the others, while at the same time delivering everything that they could and more in terms of picture quality and sound. It still is not dirt-cheap, but the price is in line with what serious audio enthusiasts who would be reading this "get sensible" magazine might care to pay for a good machine.