DVD players will play CDs - just not fantastically, by and large. So perhaps it's not surprising that specialist hi-fi manufacturers are turning to high-end, dual role players designed for the discerning enthusiast of both formats.
German manufacturer T+A's DVD 1210R is just such a beast and certainly well outside the mass market DVD player rabble. The sumptuous, silky-smooth silver finish is gorgeous, the build quality could probably withstand a small nuclear strike and there are some very nice finishing touches. For example the case overhangs the rear panel by about 4cm to conceal some of the spaghetti if the player is on the top of your equipment rack and a separate remote control receiver with a three metre extension cable is supplied as standard. This is supremely useful if, like our test room, the player is actually behind the seating position.
The back panel offers a typical array of DVD player connections including composite and S-video outputs, a single Scart socket and both multi-channel and dedicated PCM digital outputs. This allows the player to be simultaneously connected to an AV amp for surround sound and a CD recorder or digital to analogue converter (DAC) to upgrade its CD performance. Beneath the case lies quite a complex combination of technologies. The DACs responsible for turning CDs into music are from the company's 1210 CD player and offer no less than five selectable digital filters to subtly change the sound by varying the degree of pre and post echo, which in turn affects balance and timing. In addition to the standard "flat" setting, there are two settings that lift upper treble to varying degrees, one that rolls off the treble gently and one that adds all sorts of minor peaks and troughs through the upper end of the spectrum.
Strangely, the DVD 1210R packs in a full DVD-Audio specification chipset but does not claim to be a true DVD-A machine. This is confirmed by the specification of the analogue audio section, which curtails output pretty smartly over 20kHz - not allowing for the full bandwidth of the DVD-Audio format. Very odd.
Setting up and operating the DVD 1210R is similarly quirky, always reminding you that you are spending the sort of money that gets you into enthusiast territory. The on-screen display is a full-colour graphics-based device but somewhat distractingly overlaid on a picture of an ancient baroque hall. The buttons might look the part but they do not allow a wide gamut of activity without the aid of the instruction manual and Olympic standard finger dexterity. The remote control is a sexy aluminium-topped device with one of the most bizarre suites of keys and legends we have seen for a while. It manages to offer such functional delights as A/B speaker switching for a matching T+A preamp whilst failing to have a button marked 'Play', that task is covered by the all encompassing 'OK' button. There is also a rather frustrating delay of about a second between pushing a button on the remote or the player and getting a response.
Sound quality
Still, get past these quirks and the rewards can be great. With Dolby Digital soundtracks, as found on the majority of UK film and music DVDs, it has all the drive and passion any action movie could need. While this is not unique in itself, where the T+A player scores is in managing an admirable clarity and decorum when the pace drops for dramas, comedy or even art house. The balance from deep bass to upper treble is wonderfully neutral, making dialogue reproduction faithful to the actor's dulcet tones.
The 1210R has a similar all-seasons attitude to multichannel music, be it Dolby Digital or dts surround sound. Metallica's Cunning Stunts fairly rips from the speakers with great energy and head-banging enthusiasm while Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 loses none of its unmistakable blend of melancholy and passion. Picture quality is also first rate via the S-video output: sharp, vividly colourful images with the minimum of digital video artefacts. The composite and Scart video outputs are not so good however, and both add a significant fug to the picture.
Where things get a little more confused is with CD. Overall the player has a well-rounded presentation, combining a neutral balance with strong dynamics and raw grunt. However, it is perhaps not as open and detailed as the best dedicated CD players at this price point and this malaise coats the overall presentation with a light veil. Also the effect of the various filter options is quite marked and can change the entire ambience of the music: anywhere from larger-than-life to head-in-the-sand. Having tried them all blind several times I found the most favourable to be - you guessed it - flat.
Conclusion
Operational shenanigans aside, the DVD1210R is an excellent DVD player that can spin a fairly mean CD when asked. It is not a completely all-encompassing nirvana for both formats but, at £1,700, it certainly gets close enough to warrant a serious audition.