I recently upgraded my DVD player from a two-year-old "cheap" Apex unit to a new (also pretty cheap) Magnavox. I did it because I have a new TV with component video inputs... my Apex didn't have component video outs or progressive scan. To my considerable surprise... the new Magnavox provides significantly better sound from both movies and 2-channel music CD's, even though I used the optical audio connections for both players.

The same with me. I changed from a pioneer to a Sony dvd player. The music is greatly improved. the Pioneer sounded brittle and sterile, while the Sony seems warm and laid back with much richer tones.

Which Sony do you have ? Is it an ES or from the consumer line ?

I am surprised that they would be so different.

I was surprized too. I'm using the same conections as before yet the Sony sounds better. It is a consumer line product not ES.
My old Pioneer never sounded right on music CD's. Maybe its optical output was bad.