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I purchased the DV-79AVi for multi-format AUDIO playback (CD/SACD/DVD-A), not DVD, so this is not a review of video quality. I use it mainly as a CD/SACD/DVD-A transport, with digital out to a separate DAC for CDs. Digital out is not available for SACD and DVD-A, so it automatically senses those signals and routes them to a preamplifier/amplifier via the analog output, which is very convenient. While not a multi-thousand-dollar CD player, it produces very good, clear and accurate sound, especially when coupled with a separate DAC. The Elite's upsampling to 192K is also a nice feature if one does not want to purchase a separate DAC. Overall, I found this to be a very high value product at its price point on eBay. It is slightly better than the Pioneer DV-47Ai in terms of having improved upsampling capabilities. The transport quality seems to be approximately the same between the 47Ai and 79AVi. Recommended for Audio.Read full review
I have owned many of Pioneer's Elite products over the years and overall have been pleased with them. In the case of the DV-79AVi my evaluation is mixed. I bought the unit used at a good price ($176) and intended to use it as a dedicated music transport for SACD and DVD-A discs, with occasional use as a DVD player for video. It outperforms my 'old' DV-47ai in terms of picture quality and includes an HDMI output, which is a nice addition. It will output 480i over the HDMI output, which is nice for those few who still use an outboard video scaler. This specific unit was upgraded with an aftermarket SDI video output, which I will omit from this review since most people won't be interested. I can use it, however, and it's part of the reason I paid $176 for it. I wouldn't pay over $100 for one without the SDI mod, and only then if I wanted to 'match' other Pio Elite gear. In the past I have used Pioneer's proprietary i-link connections to connect similar disc players to an appropriately equipped Pio Elite AVR (the ones with an 'i' in the model number) with outstanding results. High resolution multi channel music is transmitted in an all-digital path flawlessly for all formats. Very cool, but not utilized by many users. The DV-79AVi has this feature and if you have a Pio Elite AVR that can connect this way you should use it. For those non-i-link users, (which is most everyone - the newer Pio Elite AVRs do not offer i-link since they have HDMI) the HDMI connection allows a second full-digital path to their AVR or processor. Unfortunately this connection does not pass SACD music via HDMI!! You must use the analog multi channel outputs to achieve this, which is a shame. It will pass DVD-A data through HDMI, but for us "multi-channel-music-heads," this is not acceptable. To play both the SACD's and DVD-A discs in our collections we must either use HDMI for DVD-A's and analog outs for SACD's, or analog outs for both. While the debate about digital vs. analog for multichannel music rages, the DV-79AVI should provide both options, like most other similar players. Case in point, I own an Oppo DV-980H and it plays SACD's and DVD-A's via HDMI or analog outs (7.1)flawlessly, and can be bought used for around $125. The Oppo will stay in my HT and the DV-79AVi will find its way into another "not-so'critical" installation in my home where an "old" Pio Elite AVR with the i-link capability resides. Overall, the DV-79AVi is a well made, handsome machine, and if you can use one with i-link with a Pio i-link capable AVR, and find one sub-$100, buy it. If you don't care about the SACD/DVD-A via HDMI issue, then its a fine upscaling DVD player. However, other machines can do a similar job, and perhaps at a lower price. If you want to match your gear and like Pio Elite, I'd put my money on a Pio Elite BD player instead.Read full review
After having my extremely fine Onkyo DV CP1000 universal player develop a problem and getting it overhauled and fine tuned, I decided I didn't want to go without a higher-end player in the meantime, so found a Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi for a really good price on eBay and snatched it, since it is a same-year match for my Elite reciever anyway (don't kid youself, cosmetics do count, and it is a sharp-looking piece of equipment). What surprised me is that at half the MSRP of the Onkyo (and considering the Onkyo's legendary status) how well the DV-79AVi fills its shoes and, in some ways, outdoes it. This player is extremely easy to set up and use and the sound quality is right up there on a par with the Onkyo, sometimes surpassing it in certain subtle ways that are extremely pleasing. For instance, there is a more intimate feeling with SACDs, especially those of the 5.1 channel variety. I'm hearing things I had not heard before! (I know, everybody says that, but this is a comparison among relative equals, and it is pretty surprising). Detail is exquisite, and the picture it passes, at 1080i, looks pretty near HD if not Blu Ray quality. It's certainly enough to make these old eyes very happy, that "Looking through a windodw" quality one used to hear about when HD first arrived. With iLink this machine mates up well with the receiver and as I have a lot invested in SACDs, this makes a significant difference. But even with Redbook CDs, especially Japanese DSD remasters, the sound is just outstanding. I'm a happy camper. To say the Pioneer is at least even with the Onkyo,which retailed for twice the pice new, is to damn with faint praise. Either machine is fantastic, but the ease of setup and operation of the Pioneer certainly makes it a contender for Best Buy in the mid-to-high price range, and beyond this you've likely reached the point of diminishing returns anyway. I could hardly be more pleased. Plus, as I said, it looks really nice -- and matches the Kuro finish of my Elite reciever. Life is good. :)Read full review
Been looking for an affordable universal disc player - for music not video - for a while now. A friend recommended the Pioneer DV-79AVi, telling me I should be able to pick it up cheaply and that he was highly impressed with the sound. Well, I found one on eBay, purchased it and have to say, I got WAYYYYY more than my money's worth. For an older digital machine, the DV-79AVi plays CD back very well (though I've heard better, abet at a much higher cost), and has a digital out so if you wanted, you could add an outboard DAC to improve playback. BUT, where the DV-79AVi really shines is on high resolution discs like SACD and DVD-A. It outperforms (or at least equals) machines costing many times it price. If you want to find out what all the buzz regarding high-res is all about, buy one of these player and you'll definitely hear it. Built like a tank. Has an audio direct button that turns off all video circuits for purer audio playback. Has HDMI for DVD's (if that's your thing - I haven't used mine for that so I can't speak to its picture quality). And runs smooth as silk. Can't recommend this player highly enough.Read full review
Solid high quality unit. I purchased my 79 to upgrade my SACD and DVD-Audio player. What an upgrade it is! I thought my old player sounded great, but I now hear detail on multi channel and other format SACDs that I didn't know were there. Same with DVD-Audios. The upconversion of regular DVDs is equal in quality to my Elite DV-05FD Blu Ray player! Near Blu-Ray picture quality with the 79AVi. Running HDMI, multichannel inputs and stereo analog inputs allows simple playback of practically anything but Blu. A real bargain since most folks don't use this type of player very much especially since Blu-Ray has become popular. Most on eBay are likely in near new condition. Highly recommend.