I've read overall the 97 has less noise but a less-sharp image than the 99. Opinions? Does anyone have both, and which is preferred by you, and why?

There's an old head-to-head comparison of the two players reprinted on this page (you'll need to scroll down a bit):

http://laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc ... cld-99.htm

Oh, yeah, I totally forgot about that being there. Thanks!

Cld-97:
Pros: lowest noise(significantly less) on any 2 sided player.
Great built quality(significantly better than 99)
Exhibits less smearing than most other.
Best 2D comb filter Pioneer put on a LD player.
Separate power supplies for analog and digital circuits. (Best audio)

Cons:
No rf output for ac-3. ( can be added with some soldering skills)
Softer picture if not run through external 3D comb filter.
Primitive digital noise reduction

Cld-99:
Pros: 3D comb filter ( 1st generation nec)
Adjustable noise reduction
Rf output available
Faster 2 sided turn than 97
Sharper than most LD players

Cons: noise levels with noise reduction at max is still higher than 97 (no noise reduction)
Composite output is same as cld-703,704,79
Considerably lighter, lesser built, lesser engineered design
design flaw with the 3D comb filter.

Hey substance, thanks for the pros & cons. I have a 99 but I've been itching to take another step up in quality.

switch to CLD-97 if you can add a 3D comb filter to your chain. CLD-97 + 3D comb filter is the best LD ever gets on a 2-sided player.

I'm planning to.

I love reading player comparison threads like this, total geek p0rn.