Collect Questions

I currently own a Sony DAVS300 and because it doesn't have an Optical Digital In socket i can't hook up my new XBox for surround sound.
So im thinking of getting the Pioneer CS303 as i've read some good reviews and it also has the all important Optical socket.
My question is this, does anyone know the performances of both of these 2 systems? If so is the pioneer much of a step up in terms of picture quality sound etc. compared to my Sony?
Any opinions would be useful.



Geek, I cannot speak for the DAVS300 but I have recently bought the Pioneer DCS303. I can honestly say that I am very impressed with every aspect of this piece of kit. The spec speaks for it's self - 75W per channel
Dolby Prologic II
DTS
Multi region
Optical in.
And best of all only £295.90 inc P&P.
see this thread for more details. :- &threadid=155280



Thanks tbrown. Can you buy at the store or is it web only?



Geek, I don't know if they have a high street shop. I did not buy my kit from them, I used 24-7electrical.co.uk but they are now more expensive than the website quoted.



Originally posted by geek
So im thinking of getting the Pioneer CS303 as i've read some good reviews
The review i read gave it 3 out of 5, it also gave a nasty looking goodmans the same score so make of that what you will.



Originally posted by dtsrules
The review i read gave it 3 out of 5, it also gave a nasty looking goodmans the same score so make of that what you will.
Which mag was that? I`ve only seen good reviews of it, both 4 and 5 star reviews, only losing out to the (more expensive) sony DAVS550 each time.



I will see if i can find it, i was interested in it for a mate who went for seperates.



I haven't got a bad thing to say about the 303. Got one just before Xmas and have been continually impressed with the sound and picture quality. If anything it's got too many sound options (I keep finding myself playing with the settings in a 'I wonder what this would sound like if' kind of way). Sorry I can't compare it to the Sony, but I can certainly recommend it. :clap:



Im in exactly the same position as Geek, I have the same player and although im happy with it, I cant get 5.1 from my xbox games.
The let down about the Sony player is the lack of inputs and no RGB output.
I would be very reluctent to upgrade from this though, after watching so many great films with excellent surround sound. Its been even better than friends more powerfull and more expensive systems.
So... unless I can afford to upgrade on a large budget scale, im sticking with my sony. I think the Xbox sound is fine just passed through the amp on 2-channel.
Just a question though,.... does any other DAVS300 owners connect through standard phono video cable or do they use the S-Vid option? Im thinking of shelling out £30 for a decent s-vid cable. but dont want to unless im sure there will be a big improvement?



Thanks for the replies so far.
Gillsfan, i asume you are using the s-video option already with an ok ish cable. I do the same and am not all that impressed with the picture quality. But that was always one of the lower rated areas in all the reviews when i bought it (3 years ago?). So an upgrade to an expensive s-video cable may not be worth it as much as you think, i dunno.
Thats why if i decide to get the Pioneer i am hoping for a better picture quality over the Sony.