I really wanted to get hold of R7G when i sold my CLD99. ebay had no decent LD players for ages the summer of 2010. They had some LD-S9's but they were a bit out of my price range. So i went with the EAD T-8000 player.

Actually there is no real standard tight standard on how to measure Audio or video equipment to get comparable results, you are allowed to adjust inputs equipment settings to get the output you desire etc. You have to do a comparison side by side using the same equipment with the same settings.

The X9 and X0 are very different, there is no comparison. The entire mechanisms are different, The main servo boards are underneath the laser on the X0, it is a top board in the X9. Power supplies are totally different and all power is shielded from the remainder of the electronics in the S2/X0 where the X9 has a partial shielding sleeve over the Audio supply section and other differences.

I disagree that specs are better than looking inside. Looking at the quality of parts, build, shielding, board layout says a lot. Read reviews, every new component is always better than the last by looking at specs. Look at the CLD-97 to CLD-99 comparisons when the 99 first came out. If you like the Digital DNR look then the CLD-99 is your choice, if you like a pure analog look the 97 is the winner. Also you need to properly adjust them first as excepting that they are 100% adjusted correctly from the factory is a bad assumption. Turn DNR off on both of these and there is a big difference. Then the S2 has even lower noise levels. I don't even bother with looking at published manufacturer specs as I gave up on them showing what the player will look like.

It all comes down to preference. I've worked on R7G's and they are modified CLD-D604 type player with the latest 3D adaptive filter from that time. So yes it is better than a CLD-D604 but to me it has too much noise, ghosting and harsh sharpness from processing to create the sharper picture.

It all comes down to find what you like and enjoy the format, we will never 100% agree. People always ask me what is the best picture and my first response is what are you picky about, then I tell them they need to try a player to see if it makes them happy. I know what I like but I cannot tell you positively what you will like. I work on all the players as people like different units and I make them perform to the best of their ability.

The only players that are highly thought of from just about everyone are the LD-S2 and on the top is the HLD-X0

Your right, we won't 100% agree. Laserdisc aficianados are known to disagree as with any format. But, for clarity I stated that the X0 and X9 are similar EXCEPT for the fact that the X0 is a one sided player. Naturally the servo board will be positioned differently, but otherwise the parts are much the same On THE BOARD. More to the point though, why is the X0 "better" than the X9? The answer: modified parts.

This makes my case. If the R7G looks like a 604 inside, that is irrelevant. If the parts are modified as you state (and they are) then the R7G is not a 604. It seems what you mean to say is that the R7G is "layed out" like a 604. That I can accept. From what I read in your original post you were saying the R7G is just a 604 with an added comb filter, which is not the case. Even without the comb filter, the R7G creates a picture near the S9, and to me, even better.

There is also a difference between advertising specs and actual unit specs. The R7G was produced after the S9. So, using your approach why would Pioneer label the R7Gs specs as lesser than the S9 if the R7G was the "latest" or newer model? There is much misinformation about the R7G that has been perpetuated for various reasons. One, it was sold in Japan only and did not get a lot of US critiquing. Also, after the grandeur of such units as the X0 & X9 that preceeded it, it got little attention, especially in the waning days of ld (1998). Ive taken apart more than a few models myself. And as you believe the specs supposedly can't be trusted, I don't trust pure internal visuals anymore.

I've always thought highly of my R7G. Of course, the only higher end players I've been able to compare it to directly are the CLD-79 and Runco LJR-II. To me, the R7G outperformed them both.

I would like to get one of the more purer analog LD players like a CLD-97 or LD-S2 so I can make more comparisons.

[quote="elahrairrah"
Your point is well taken. I have consistently heard from owners of the R7G that it outperforms all US models (as well it should being that it employs some elements of the S9 & X9). As I previously stated, it delivers an outstanding picture even without it's excellent 3d comb filter. I don't mean to be redundant, but I am tired of the R7G getting a bad rap.

I've never really heard the R7G to get a bad rap. On the contrary, over the years I've read the R7G to be one of the more sought of Japanese players if any of the "bigger" players couldn't be found. Unfortunately, getting any of the Japanese players requires either importing one from Japan, through a middle channel, or finding someone in your country that just so happens to be selling one.

Most people love the R7G, correct. The bad rap is that it is often called just a 604 with a 3d filter tacked on. This can been seen on many av forums. However, many have corrected and updated their views on the R7G. Digging deeper and interacting with those who have not only owned one , but have made fair comparisons, properly swayed them.

When I do my comparisons I turn OFF ALL DNR processing on players and rate them on how the pure design works. Does the more advanced DNR in the R7G work better than the earlier 703/703/79/99 DNR, yes it does but it still has the digitized look, this is due to the pure noise levels. But try a HLD-X0 sometime and see how with it's DNR and the natural low noise it really looks analog. If you turn off the DNR on your R7G and 7057 how do feel they compare? That would be interesting.

If Pioneer would have designed a better power supply, better board layouts and shielding the R7G could have really been something. My opinion is they placed parts in the machine just like the CLD-D604/606 so it is more like an upgraded 604/606 to me verses what it could have been.

I don't mind us having different preferences, that is fine. Others will agree with you also. I think if you ever had a X0 I think we would agree that it is the best Pioneer player.

I still consider the 704 the best bang for the buck as you can get it for $200 to $250. Unless the price has dropped the R7G was going for the same price as the S9. My preference list includes my opinion of what you get for the money you spend, that is why I sold my X9. It did not satisfy my satisfaction for the price. I still won't buy a X0 due to the cost though I feel that is the only player no other can touch.

You know you're an LD junkie when: ---> You feel like hugging your X0 everytime you start watching an LD on it. That's how I feel

Yes, the X0 is a more than worthwhile unit. I agree also that the R7g could have stood some improvements.

If I ever get my hands on a R7G I'll do a complete test against others with DNR OFF to see what the pure picture looks like.

if you ever get a R7G again Kurtis once you've done your tests sell it too me!

I have the Pioneer CLD-925, how would you guys rate it?

I used to have a 925. It was the best PAL / NSTC player in UK but in comparison to the US models its pretty average.