Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player Reviewed

  • By: HomeTheaterReview.com,

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance
3 Stars
Value
4 Stars
Overall
3.5 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2
012711.Denon_DVD_2900.JPG

The universal player market is truly starting to heat up, with several new models hitting stores, and a number of other models in the works.

Denon has entered the fray with their new $999 DVD 2900, which is very unique as it is an in-house effort, and is not based on the Pioneer OEM Kit as many of the universal players thus far have been. It is, instead, based on the video section and chassis of the well-received 3800 DVD player, which uses the excellent Silicon Image de-interlacing system, and adds SACD to the DVD-Audio already present. Further, Denon has included digital bass management and time alignment for both DVD-Audio and SACD, rather than just analog filters for bass management. The time alignment feature is even more unique, as few players today include it (and no other universal player that I know of). The hoopla around this player has been significant, but we now need to see if it delivers on its promise.

Additional Resources

Unique Features - The Denon is a large solid piece, weighing in at a nice hefty 17.6 pounds. The look is classic Denon, and a dead ringer for the 3800 except for a few changes. It has a nice clear front display, a solid, smooth loading tray, DVD-Audio and SACD lights to the left of the display (that they are different colors is a nice touch, making it easy to see what format the player is decoding), and transport controls to the right. There is a button named Super Audio CD Set Up, which is used to cycle between the different SACD layers--multi-channel, two-channel, or CD. To the right of this is the Pure Direct knob, which lets you select from two memory modes that allow you to turn off any combination of digital audio output, video output, and the display.

The back of the player has multi-channel outputs (two pairs for the front channel--great for comparing cables), S-Video, composite, and component outputs, and both coaxial and TosLink digital outputs. There is also a RS-232 port, 12V trigger, and a standard power cord connector.

The remote control is very standard, non-back lit, black, but clearly labeled with discrete controls for on/off. I like the fact that Denon avoided the goofy yellow-brown-white color scheme on this remote.

Installation/Setup/Ease of Use - Setup is fairly easy with a few quirks including the Audio/Video mode in the etc. submenu that will not allow you to play the DVD-Audio layer until it is set to the Audio setting. In the multichannel section you can set levels with a test tone (the sub level is actually quite low in comparison to my processor setup--I had to decrease the main channel levels while leaving the sub level high to achieve a proper balance), set speaker size (small activates a 80 Hz crossover), and set time delays. There is also a "filter" function that, when turned off, will increase subwoofer response 5dB for DVDs and 15dB for SACD. This is used to adjust for certain discs recorded in 6.0 instead of 5.1. There is also a bass enhancer which provides subwoofer output when listening to two-channel CDs. Personally, I think that these functions could be a little better labeled and easier to understand.

The 2900 was hooked up to a Fujitsu plasma using BetterCables Silver Serpent component cables, to McIntosh MX134 and Krell Showcase processors using AudioQuest Python interconnects, plugged into a Monster HTSP7000 power conditioner, and used with a Parasound A51 amp, KEF Reference 207/204c/201 speakers, and REL Strata III subwoofer.

Click to Page 2 for the Final Take.

Page 1 | Page 2

  • Comment on this article

Post a Comment

You are encouraged to post your comments using Facebook on HomeTheaterReview.com. Simply sign in to your Facebook account below and post away.

Featured Audio-Video News

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU -

24 was a great show that had some ridiculously impressive technology. So impressive, it defied the reality of the actual technology used. However, the ideas are great. Jerry Del Colliano thinks about how those ideas could be translated to home theaters.

Latest Source Component Reviews

North Star Design USB dac32 Reviewed -

If you are in the market for a digital to analog convertor and don't want to break the bank, you should look into the North Star Design dac32, at least according to the performance Terry London encountered during his review.

Marantz SA8004 SACD / CD Player / USB DAC Reviewed -

Marantz adds the SA8004 SACD player to the company's offerings. However, the SA8004 has a few interesting tricks up its sleeve. Brian Kahn takes a look at the component to see if it is worth your time.

Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP CD Player Reviewed -

The most widely used physical media for music is still the Red Book CD. Electrocompaniet has made a new CD player, the EMC-1UP, that acknowledges this and attempts to elevate that media to new heights. But does it succeed?

Crestron HD-MD8x1 HDMI Switcher Reviewed -

HDMI can be a problem factor for any AV component, regardless of price. Crestron offers up the HD-MD8x1 HDMI switcher as a solution to this problem. Jerry Del Colliano examines whether or not it is successful.

McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD Player Reviewed -

Brian Kahn unboxes the McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD player and puts it to the test. What he discovered as he continued to attempt different sources, is that this player had several surprises in store for him.

High Resolution Technologies iStreamer Reviewed -

Connect your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad to the iStreamer to get the best sound from your portable music library. Compact, simple to use, and most importantly, very good sounding, the iStreamer advances the sonics of an iPod by leaps and bounds.

Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards -

The Editors of Home Theater Review have extensively searched, reviewed, and now chosen the best of the best home theater and audio gear, HDTVs and beyond. Click through for the winners in each category from the likes of Vizio, Samsung, Sharp and many others.

Wadia 151 PowerDAC Amp/DAC Reviewed -

Wadia's latest digital powerhouse combines a DAC with a power amp for a complete solution for anyone who wants not merely good, but great sound at their computer desktop. With USB, coaxial, and Toslink digital inputs the Wadia 151 PowerDAC is ready for any and digital sources up to 192/24.

Sonicweld Diverter USB to SPDIF Converter Reviewed -

Inside an enclosure milled from a solid billet of 60601-T6 aluminum, the Sonicweld Diverter's circuitry transforms USB to SPDIF so you can use any DAC with your computer audio stream. Although not inexpensive, the Diverter can give your sans-USB high-end DAC years more useful life.

Cary Audio CD 303T SACD Pro CD/SACD Player Reviewed -

A high-end player handles a multitude of disc formats, including SACD. The 303T also has USB and SPDIF digital inputs so it can serve as both a player and a DAC. With both tube and solid-state analog outputs, the CD 303T lets you tailor the sound depending on the music.