Customer Reviews

Yamaha DVD-S2500 DVD Audio/Video and SA-CD Player

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a GOOD DVD player, but there are few things it could do better. I have a 5 year old Sony DVD player. Also, compared this side by side with Denon DVD 2910, using two of the same music CDs (regular CDs, not SACDs) so I can switch from one to the other instantly. I played them together at the same time so that the transition from the Yamaha to the Denon was as seamless as possible. Here's my conclusion.

1. Sound quality. I believe Yamaha has better sound than Denon DVD 2910. The difference is very little and not very noticeable. But, the Denon has brighter sound at the higher frequency. This is noticeable when playing violins. But over all, I think Yamaha has a smoother and unexaggerated sound. Compared to my old Sony DVD player, the difference was more readily noticeable. My Sony had more exaggerated brightness at higher frequency.

2. Disc loading. The biggest draw back for Yamaha is that it takes longer than the Denon to recognize the disc. I didn't time the difference, but it was noticeable. The display in the display window also reacts slower in Yamaha also. Also, unloading the disc takes a little longer as well. Compared to that, my old Sony was the fastest, then the Denon, and the Yamaha.

3. Remote control. Remote control for the Denon was better. More controls for movies, e.g., Denon had separate buttons for fast forward, etc.

4. Connectivity. Denon had DVI connection. Yamaha didn't. But this wasn't a big deal for me because I am using component output anyway. But Yamaha has HDMI connection (so did Denon).

5. Picture quality. Both seemed good. Couldn't tell the difference much on my 27 inch screen TV.

Bottom line: I chose to stay with Yamaha because of the sound quality. But I give only 4 stars because of the reason in #2 above. Both players are almost the same size. As for build quality, both feel solid. Before comparing the Yamaha and Denon, I tried Marantz 4500 (at around $300, it's almost half the price of either Yamaha or Denon), but Marantz 4500 just felt cheap; it was flimsy and my old Sony felt much more solid than the Marantz (so I returned it).

My system consits of the following:
- Cambridge Soundworks New Ensemble speakers -- very nice speakers -- been looking for a better looking replacements and did side by side comparison with many others costing more, but haven't found one yet. If you have a good recommendation, please let me know.
- Velodyne HGS-12 sub
- Onkyo TX-DS 777 receiver
- Sony DVP-S525 DVD player -- this is the one I'm replacing.

I bought the unit less than a year ago [...]. Right from the beginning it had trouble recognizing different discs and would seize when switching between CD and DVD-A for example. The video and sonic performance of the unit are excellent when it is working.
Today I tried to open the disc tray and it wouldn't open. I disconnected the power cable to "reset" the player as per the manufacturers instructions but I am getting no response. I have a ten year old Sony DVP 7700 that has given me zero problems. The Yamaha is made in China and considering that it is their "flagship" player I expected better. Hopefully it is under warranty.

I had the DVD-2300 unit which preceeded this unit and found the picture and sound quality excellent. Based on this experience I purchased the 2500 without a real review or test drive... Big mistake.

$39 DVD players track discs better... You do have time to make popcorn while the unit attempts to recognize a disc.

Picture quality good but not outstanding... Audio was excellent. Sync problems... How could Yamaha release a dog like this to the market.

Yamaha will never get my money again... Total junk.

I just bought Yamaha player for Xmas.
It has great sound quality.
However, it fails to track some (not all) CDs and makes loud noise as laser pick-up is trying to adjust itself.
As the other review indicates, this problem is worse at the beginning of discs and improves for later tracks.
Have to take it factory service.
Disappointed.

Yamaha touts this as a universal player however it has a very hard time tracking dvd-rs, SACD and other formats. I hope yamaha has worked out the bugs on the newer dvd-s2700. by the way, my player is back at the repair shop for the 4th time in 3 months. let's hope Yamaha corrects this situation

I've owned a DVD S2500 since July. Sometime within the last two months the audio and video on commercial DVDs have gone out of sync. This is most noticeble at the start of a disk, but seems to improve later. I don't think that this happened when the player was brand new. I use the HDMI output to a Denon receiver. Looks like I will have to return the player for factory service. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this problem.

In shop many times, takes long time to read disc sometimes won't read at all says " no disc" finally told me board was bad after warranty was up. Yamaha service sucks

Regarding your speakers, you have lots of options, especially with such a big, powerful, high quality subwoofer: you don't need speakers that go below 70Hz (an example being used NHT Super Zero's), though I'd still recommend ones with a bass extension of at approximately 50 Hz (like NHT Super Ones used, or whatever they make now that is the replacement). I have both of these NHT speakers and use them with a sub for my TV. They are Super inexpensive on the used market (perhaps 150 and 250 a pair).

I haven't heard your exact Cambridge models, but have heard older ones which were OK (note lack of enthusiasm for MY tastes, though I recommended some to a friend and he likes them). However, there are many high-value speakers of excellent quality that Cambridge will not compete with in any way. The size of your room and available space are important to consider (which means I can't give you an exact shopping list). A few things to note: "bookshelf" speakers should almost never go on bookshelves; they should go on sturdy stands that place the tweeters at ear level. This means that they actually take up the same space as floorstanding speakers (of similar design, anyway). Exceptions are some UK models (e.g. some from Mission) designed for small rooms or other speakers that specify placement near walls. However, I break this rule with my TV! My separate music-only system has stands that place the speakers away from walls and at the right height; I just don't have space for this approach in our small den where the TV is.

[...]

Excellent to outstanding speakers from a few years ago are available at moderate prices (by any definition of moderate), depending on how old a pair you will accept. Since most of these speakers are designed to last a lifetime, 5-years old is as good as new for anything, with the exception of some subwoofers (just because technology does seem to be improving there in significant ways, mostly in matching to your room with digital-domain EQ, but there is nothing wrong with older subs).

I have Totem Model 1's (the biwired model) which are discontinued. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Priced new at about $2000/pair 5 years ago, I found them on audiogon as dealer demos for half price. These do not require a sub, even though they are "only" bookshelf sized speakers (they reach 30 Hz). I do HAVE a sub, but I just spent a month without it when the amp was being repaired and rarely missed it.

One strategy is to go out to HiFi specialty shops (not big chains) and listen. If you like what you hear, you may be able to buy a demo or older model from the dealer. Another approach is to look for old "recommended components" from back issues Stereophile mag or The Absolute Sound. Then look for these on the used market. IMO, Vandersteen Model 1 or Model 2 are great if you can fit them in your room (the 2ce is the last version of Model 2 I know of, but earlier models are also great).

Bottom line: you can make a major upgrade by spending as little as $250 (excluding stands) or can find truly superlative stuff for $500-$1200. The key here is sticking with manufacturers that prize accuracy (which means almost none you will find in a big electronics chain store: though Polk and Infinity do make some good speakers, you probably won't see these in a chain store). Accuracy is what the audiophile press will report on.

Good luck!