My music “diet” is (randomly) as follows: 50% vinyl discs, 30% reel-to-reel tape and 20% CDs… nonetheless, owning several DVD audio, nice Japanese editions of hybrid SACDs’, Analogue Production and Mobile Fidelity’s SACDs, I felt the need to properly listen to them instead of playing as I did on my trusty conventional players - i.e.: Esoteric D2/P2, Studer A730 and Meridian 563/500.
After some chatting with a couple of more acknowledged pals, who were alternately pushing me to spend BIG money on some exotic and expensive SACD players, the feeling to enter a digital cul-de-sac stopped me to go hot-rod and I finally chose and followed my friend Franco’s wise suggestion.
The Denon DVD-2900 is a multi-standard DVD/SACD player, proudly made in China, very well made also if the disk-drawer is a bit flimsy and toy-like (plastic).
I found a brand-new sampler with original carton box and manual for the price of four SACDs 😀 and - also if an Esoteric “Grandioso” 6-chassis digital behemoth worth € 185,000.00 (probably) plays better, I’m greatly enjoying a very detailed and dynamic sound from my CDs and - most of all - I’m so much enjoying also the dozen SACDs’ (non-hybrid) I own which I couldn’t play since now.
Also if I considered this to be a cheap experiment, I admit also an entry-level player like the Denon is able to decently perform in a transparent and high-resolution audio system, despite the model name, unashamedly hinting to a more consumer/home theater use than an audiophile destination.
Considering the costs of the few hi-end SACD players on the market, this humble, honest Denon is a bargain… no, a steal! which - plainly said - sounds marvelous in my actual all Quad system.
No frills, no macho, no pocket-emptying.
Kudos to Franco for finding this little gem and suggesting it to yours truly.
I’m listening to it right now and - believe me… sound is grandioso!! 😎
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