Topic: Denon DVD-2900

[Chris Friel]

Has anyone tried one of these out for playback. I listened to a DVD-A and SACD disc today at a store but wasn't able to demo a two channel audience recording. I guess  my question is more like whats the D>A stage like in this deck. Ive read all the reviews from so called "audiophile's" but they haven't been really helpful as far as the music I listen to.

Any thoughts

[wboswell]

doing a little digging...

anyone give one of these a go?

[scervin]

From what I hear the 5900 is where it is at as far as te combo unit and stuff goes.  The 2900 is stil a fine player.

[wboswell]

Yeah right.  The 5900 retails for 2x's what the 2900 goes for.

[scervin]

Well, you at least get Faroudja de-interlace and DVI, but not sure if it is macrovision free or has a scaler.....  Head over to audioasylum.com.

[wboswell]

Thanks, Scott.  My main concern isn't video playback, but more so audio playback.  However, I don't plan to use the internal d/a of any unit.  Rather, I plan on using an standalone dac.  Should I really be that concerned about the internals of a unit?  Or is it moreso just a transport?  Thanks!

[dmonterisi]

you're probably not going to be able to use an external DAC with SACD's.  Not sure if that matters to you or not, but it's something to consider.

[wboswell]

True that...

Getting ready to start the move to dvd-a.  Next will be Bronze.

expect a call from me a little later mr. monterisi

[Nick S.]

I picked up a Dennon 2200 a few months ago and have been very pleased with the results so far, so I'm sure the 2900 will be nice as well.  

One factor to consider, is the 1000$ player gonna be outdated in two years? With technology moving the way it is (especially w/dvd and sacd), the top of the line players will be average in a year or two. Why go all out when you can spend half as much, get a great product and still have $500 left over.  It maybe worth it to some, and I can see why, but to me it wasn't.  Just some food for thought.

Nick

[wboswell]

Ahh.. a voice of reason!

Definately something to consider, esp if it is only being used as a transport.

[dmonterisi]

if all you care about right now is doing dvd-a, get the super cheap pioneer dvd-a player and an external DAC that does 24/96.  nick's right, prices will come down, though they haven't that much in the 8 months since i got my universal player.  i love sacd and i'm glad i bought it.  regardless, go used.  plenty of stuff on audiogon.

[wboswell]

I am waiting on a response from someone about the Rotel 1060.  Not sure if it plays all formats of burned discs.  If it does, I think that is what I'll go for.  Otherwise, I'll follow Nick's lead with the 2200.  They seem to go pretty cheap on the used market.

[dmonterisi]

oh yeah, almost forgot, there was a thread on here a while back about some dvd-a players not sending 24/96 signals out due to copy management.  my player does send up to 24/96 but downsamples 24/192 to 24/96.  i think that's because spdif is not reliable for 24/192.  but if you're gonna use an external DAC, you should check before you buy.

[scervin]

If not concerned w/ video I would get a cheaper player then.  One thing to remember is that there will always be a better more expensive player, you will always be waiting.  I'd say get the best you can now!  
SC

[Nick's Picks]

that DVD-A sendng PCM over s/pdif thread....
I thought it was determined that most do not?

also, if using it only as a transport for primarily redbook, you'd do much better with just a transport than a DVD player.
but, if you are looking for a transport for 24bit stuff, then I guess you'd best be sure that it does pass PCM.  This was discussed on the oade board a couple weeks back, and I thought it was determined that only the high-end dennon DVD-A decks did it?  maybe this model you are discussing is the one...beats me

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Check out the CAL CL-20 DVD player.  It got an excellent review from Stereophile as a CD player using the internal D/A.  And it will pass 24/96.

[wboswell]

I ended up picking up one of these players and my initial thoughts are all positive.  According to the manual, it does pass 24/96 pcm data through either of its digital outs.  At higher resolutions, it downsamples to 96 or 88.2, whichever is more appropriate.  However, I don't have any 24/96 dvd's to validate the manual...  Damon has promised some are on the way.

Dark Side of the Moon had the hairs on my neck standing up and I have the wife out today looking for the Allison Krauss live sacd.  Pretty exciting!

Even listening with the player just as a transport impressed me.  Certainly a noticeable difference over the old player.  Wouldn't have believed it before, but my ears aren't making me a believer.