May, 2003
Music lovers who grew up in the Compact Disc era can't possibly imagine the astonishment that greeted the first demonstrations of that format some 21 years ago. Here's what happened: silence, and then bam -- music; loud music. This was in stark contrast to what happened when you listened to tapes or LPs at home, where the music was always introduced by hiss and/or surface noise. The phrase used to promote the new format was Perfect Sound Forever, but perfection is a moving target, especially when aiming for it creates the opportunity to move merchandise. Thus, oldsters who replaced their LPs and cassettes with shiny Compact Discs, along with younger listeners who started collecting in the CD era, can now look forward to being tempted by not one, but two new formats.
One, called DVD-Audio, is based on the technology similar to that used to cram movies on to CD-sized discs. The second, called Super Audio CD (SACD), was created by the same companies that developed the original CD, Sony and Philips. In order to take advantage of each format's advantages -- higher definition, lower noise, and the potential for multi-channel surround sound -- you must buy a player designed for that format. At this early stage of the game such players cost many times the price of most standard DVD and CD players, and embracing both formats calls for a considerable financial -- not to mention logistical -- commitment.
That commitment has been greatly reduced by Denon's new DVD-2900 All-Format Optical Disc Player. As is made clear by its description, it's designed to play any audio or video format that can be burned to a 5-1/4 inch optical disc. This includes both commercial releases and home-brewed CD-R, CD-RW, MP3-CD, VCD, and DVD-R/RW discs. Beyond that, it will play them all with a level of competence you'd expect from a company that's been involved in digital audio since the late sixties. The devices used to perform these feats of legerdemain read like a what's what of high-end digital signal processing. Engineers nod sagely at the sight of the DVD-2900's list of top-of-the-line component; the rest of us can simply nod with pleasure when enjoying the results.
Despite its internal complexity, the DVD-2900 is a snap to install. Its back panel has a full complement of audio and video outputs, allowing you to send the signal to the highest quality available input on the associated components. The legible and comprehensive front-panel display is augmented by several on-screen setup menus, all of which are accessed using the thoughtfully organized remote control unit. Among the useful features offered by the DVD-2900 is full digital bass management -- including selectable crossover slopes -- for both DVD-Audio and SACD media.
Although the DVD-2900's $999 price tag might seem high to those used to seeing complete home theater systems selling for half that amount, within the context of its intended market it's a bargain. For one thing, its fit-and-finish place it on the same level as the sort of components for which audiophiles gladly write five-figure checks. Indeed, it looks to be built with the same level of quality that's kept many of Denon's highly regarded mid-eighties CD players in active service as they approach the legal drinking age.
More important than the DVD-2900's seductive good looks and sturdy construction is the quality of the signal it delivers. After running to the store to buy DVD-Audio and SACD versions of some familiar albums (which is what music came on in the pre-CD era), we were able to confirm that a) the DVD-2900 played both formats, and b) each represents a palpable improvement over conventional CDs. Just as a well-mastered CD removes a layer of haze between the listener and the original recording, both SACD and DVD-Audio discs bring the listener another giant step closer to live sound. This is especially true in the case of discs that have been carefully treated to surround sound mastering. Purists might be of two minds about this, but as long-time fans of ambience simulation and restoration technology we're delighted when our audio equipment allows the listening room to sound like a jazz club or stadium. We also played DVD movies, which not only sounded great but looked quite a bit cleaner than when played on our $80 everyday player. The DVD-2900's MP3 decoder delivered fine sound, but the player doesn't support ID3 tags or playlists.
That minor cavil aside, the Denon DVD-2900 is the ideal choice for someone who wants the convenience of a single component for all optical disc formats, but isn't willing to sacrifice performance towards that end.