So I was using the SONY MBT-XBR900L as an outboard 3D comb filter with my PVM-1953MD, which was a major upgrade. That is until my Pioneer CLD-3030 kicked the bucket. I'm now in the market for a new player, that has to have optical or coax digital audio out, but that ideally does as little processing to the composite video output feeding the XBR900L. Ideally a dependable player with sharp composite for the XBR900L to process digitally and digital audio output. Ideally I'd like to avoid CLV smear, which was super distracting. I'm hoping avoiding needing a high end comb filter onboard can help me find a nice dependable unit that might not be as sought after (cheaper), but I am looking for a high quality (and audiophile) unit. Thanks.

ChatGPT is recommending the Panasonic LX-900 and its variants (Denon LA-3500, Runco LJR II, Quasar LD700) Panasonic LX-900

Anyone have any thoughts?

That probably would be a worse choice as the 900 and her clones do a whole lot of processing to the video (almost DVD like).

I might recommend a CLD-97 but they are not cheap. The 3030 you had was a good choice even though it’s video S/N ratio is in the 46 db level (never really bothered me and I still use mine). The last players that didn’t have a digital looking picture was 1993 and before so those players would be like a CLD-D702, CLD-D701, CLD-D501 (I’d skip a 502 as they really made that a barebones player).

Cool, was looking for this also.
can this unit be operated without a remote?

Looking at the service manual the D702 still has a digital memory/TBC, so you might actually want a 501 or a lower end player without any digital memory or TBC.

I think the CLD-S201 might have analog TBC - I know the CLD-V2600 was probably the last produced common player to not have a digital TBC. They were made through at least 1997, per current eBay listings. (edit X: sold eBay listing 327209155584 was made in November 1998.)

*but* the V2600 has a non-bypassable analog? Y-C splitter and noise reduction that will interfere with the composite output (service manual page 24). I haven't seen the output, but I can't imagine that being good at all. So I'd go with the S201 or (now rarer) CLD-E2000.

I'd say try a few different players until you find one you like but that's getting a lot harder these days. IIRC krbahr finds the S104 to not have a digital look even though it does have a digital TBC... perhaps what one really needs to avoid is recombined YC after a comb filter.

I did mention the 701/702 because the digital memory feature is shutdown during normal playback and thus it retains the more analog look. As for the TBC making it less analog looking, I've never noticed anything odd and maybe because it doesn't do the recombined Y/C trick of the 703 and later players.