Hi Stuart

It seems I have fixed my 598.

I pulled the 598 apart...completely stripped it down. On inspection internally, looking from the front top...the bottom LHS rear pcb had a naughty bulging 1000uF 10V electroytic cap. I replaced it with same and found when reassembled, the 598 display to be much better. Also the horrible smell has gone! The cap read 200uF...not 1000uF, so definitly duff... My Thermal camera also says all is cool so Im hoping its fixed. Time will tell...

I forgot to say, I also have an oldish Sony Bluray player (BDP-S360), and would agree with you on the video quality. This seems to upscale DVDs to 1080p or so a little screen popup on the TV says so...Apparently the same popup says the 598 is only 576p.

Anyway, after fiddling with the 598 and TV settings, I am getting similar viewings with DVDs on both machines...with the Sony probably edging it for ultimute video quality if you look closely...but not by much. However, sonically the 598 is better, which is why I was trying to use it more. I am finding that although the Sony DVDs and Bluerays and also streaming say of Prime videos are great for actual video quality, none seem to match the 598 for sonics when watching videos which kind of spoils things...and I have loads of DVDs.

As you say, it could be the more recent Sony and Panasonic Bluerays players are even better...Im tempted by both the 4K Panasonic DP-UB820EBK and the 4K Sony UBP-X700 (both going for around £250 or so)....but Im also still tempted by the G9X route...I do like the idea of 1 Meridian box replacing 3...assuming the video AND sound quality is there.

Incidently, research tells me the general consensus out there is the Pany 820 is the one to go for but I see it only has HDMI and Optical out connector for dig audio. The Sony has HDMI and only Coax, which I would have thought to be better.....discuss. (I also use the coax out on the 598 to the dig i/p of my 561 processor)...

Such problems to have at Xmas time....

All comments from anyone welcome BTW.

Also the 502 mentioned in the 1st post should read 504...

regards

Last edited by TimC; 2025-12-17 00:45.
Lounge: DSP5000 x 4, DSP5000C, 561M, 598, 504, 2 x M&K v850 Subs, Sony Blueray, Samsung 4K 58"

Attic: 565z3, 500, 562V, Logitech SB Touch, Audiolab 8000 Q+ 2 x 8000Ms, Rega Planar 3, Michell Mycro, Thorens 165 tuned and modified, various cartridges, various tonearms, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE, Fanfare, B&W CDM7SEs, Rogers LS55 modified...so far.