Denon DVD-2900 Universal DVD Player Review

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>All;

Hot off the presses, my review of the Denon DVD-2900 Universal DVD player. &nbsp;Your feedback is appreciated.



Denon DVD-2900 Review (http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DenonDVD-2900-reviewp1.html)</font>

[Rob Babcock]

<font color='#000000'>Great review, Gene. &nbsp;I do want to point out that now Denon has introduced the DVD-2200, a new universal player that supposedly has almost the exact same inards in a smaller, lighter chassis, for $629. &nbsp;My local Denon deal is selling 'em for $600, and I've seen it online for $500.

Any chance of a review of that, too, or am I pushing my luck? <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'></font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Hi Rob;

Your pushing your luck &nbsp;<img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
Don't forget I do have a day job &nbsp;<img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
Seriously though the DVD-2200 looks like a great deal. &nbsp;My understanding is its a scaled down version of the 2900 particularly in the audio section. &nbsp;

Our plan going forward is to do a detailed review of the new DVD-5900 and an addendum to the AVR-5803 review to report on the direct digital link among other things. &nbsp;Stay tuned...</font>

[Yamahaluver]

<font color='#0000FF'>Let me push my luck too and request you to review Yamaha DVD-S2300 which has got rave reviews from the video press. I recently bought one but would hold out my assesment till I get a review from audioholics. <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></font>

[Clint DeBoer]

<font color='#000080'>Yamaha review aside... I think our reviews are meant to be a general sampling of each vendor's model ranges. So an excellent review of a lesser unit may shed some indicative light on more expensive offerings, and vice versa (though not necessarily).

For us to examine every model from every vender is next to impossble, so we do the best we can to get a decent mix...</font>

<font color='#000000'>Since your review was favorable. &nbsp;Any sense of the new Denon 2200? &nbsp;Has the same chipset and comparable specs on paper. &nbsp;It weighs 7 pounds less so there are differences?

I am considering this unit to save $400 or should I spend the extra $$ and get the 2900. &nbsp;I do not have the opportunity to demo, but could buy from Crutchfield, so I could return if not pleased</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Wine4et;

Looking over the specs of the DVD-2200, it does share many of the virtues of the DVD-2900. &nbsp;If top notch DVD-A/SACD playback is not your primary concern, then by all means go for the cheaper DVD-2200. &nbsp;However, the audio performance of the DVD-2900 is stellar and IMO worth the extra cost for serious audiophile playback. &nbsp;If you plan mostly on using the machine for DVD and CD playback via the digital audio outputs, this becomes much less of an issue however.</font>

<font color='#000000'>HI

Good review thnx. &nbsp;I was just wondering how the CD playback was, to be a truly universal player it has to be able to deliver the goods in straight cd playback.. &nbsp;I know I may be asking a lot but Id love to be able to just have one player for all my discs</font>

[Clint DeBoer]

<font color='#000080'>My understanding is that this is the one. Its CD playback is absolutely on-par with what you'd expect from an excellent dedicated CD-only player.</font>

[hlesser]

<font color='#000000'>The review was long in coming but I think it does provide a fair and accurate view of the product. *I have found Redbook playback to be superb -- I'm rediscovering the quality that has been heretofore buried in my old CD collection.

As for video output, the picture is certainly stunning. *I agree with your comments about the tendency of some to hunt for chroma bugs while ignoring the big (and superb) picture.

A few comments:
(1) Did you compare the Coax and analog outs for sound quality on traditional CD sources? *My impression, using an Rotel RSX-1055, is that the Analog outs have a much more extended and natural high end -- just the right amount of shimmer and sparkle. *Was the sound different when paired with your high-priced Denon receiver? (P.S. the Rotel receiver's probably merit a review here).

(2) Could the problem you had jumping out of the menu's unexpectedly been solved by use of the Return key on the remote?

(3) Are there any plans afoot to solve some of the minor technical problems (e.g. power off doesn't close drawer automatically) with a firmware upgrade?</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Hlesser;

Thanks for your great feedback.

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A few comments:
(1) Did you compare the Coax and analog outs for sound quality on traditional CD sources? &nbsp;My impression, using an Rotel RSX-1055, is that the Analog outs have a much more extended and natural high end -- just the right amount of shimmer and sparkle. &nbsp;Was the sound different when paired with your high-priced Denon receiver? (P.S. the Rotel receiver's probably merit a review here).</td></tr></table>
I did briefly evaluate Redbook performance via the analog outs of the DVD-2900, but when compared to the AVR-5803 doing the D/A, I preferred the latter. &nbsp;The AVR-5803 has a superb DAC section, thus why I gave Redbook playback on the DVD-2900 a 4 3/4 rating as opposed to 5 thumbs.

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
(2) Could the problem you had jumping out of the menu's unexpectedly been solved by use of the Return key on the remote?</td></tr></table>

I don't know, I though I tried that. &nbsp;However, I will check tonight and follow-up. &nbsp;Thanks for the suggestion.

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
(3) Are there any plans afoot to solve some of the minor technical problems (e.g. power off doesn't close drawer automatically) with a firmware upgrade? </td></tr></table>

I wasn't aware of this problem. &nbsp;I usually never turn power off before shuting the disc tray. &nbsp;I will also confirm this tonight. &nbsp;Next time I speak with Denon, I will ask them about this.</font>

[gssrjpc]

<font color='#000000'>Great review. &nbsp;I can confirm the problem of the disc tray not closing when you power off the player. &nbsp;I thought that was an odd feature for a player that costs this much not to have. &nbsp;

I also don't like the player not remembering where it left off on DVD's when they are taken out of the player or the player is powered off. &nbsp;I wonder if they can fix that with a firmware upgrade. &nbsp;Heck even my cheap Pioneer DVD player had a last memory button on the remote.

Don't get me wrong, I love my player and the picture quality is far better than the Pioneer it replaced.</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>All;

I have been authorized by Denon to post the following comments regarding bass management on the Denon DVD-2900. &nbsp;This will be added to our review as an addendum shortly.

Here is answer direct from Japan:

*DVD A/V (PCM GROUP)
CUT FREQ. SLOPE
HIGH-PASS 80Hz 12dB/oct 2nd order
LOW-PASS 80Hz 24dB/oct 4th order

*DSD FILTER
CUT FREQ. SLOPE
HIGH-PASS 80Hz 6dB/oct 1st order
LOW-PASS 80Hz 12dB/oct 2nd order

So yes bass management is handled differently via DVD-A and SACD. &nbsp;I also have a service manual to this player and will comment further on this topic and others in my addendum.

As for the drawer closing before power down issue, I have asked Denon to comment when they have a chance. &nbsp;Stay tuned...</font>

[Eric]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks for the heads up on the tray closing issue. Never noticed it until I tried. Sure enough it stays open!</font>

<font color='#000000'>GENE, great review. &nbsp;Question though:I &nbsp;have &nbsp;full range fronts with built in powered subwoofers and &nbsp;no &nbsp;seperate sub; this is no problem for DD or DST as the &nbsp;receiver routes the .1 channel from digital inpts to the speakers.I use &nbsp;the ext. in on my receiver for sacd/dvda .I &nbsp;set the 2900 to no &nbsp;sub &nbsp;but then it won't &nbsp;route the analog .1 channel &nbsp;for multichannel sacd/dvda to the mains--the &nbsp;info &nbsp;is just lost . ANY &nbsp;ideas ? &nbsp;THANKS</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Glenn;

Depending on what receiver you are using, some offer the ability to disable sub &nbsp;via EXT 6CH inputs. &nbsp;Check your receiver settings. &nbsp;This should allow the sub info to be recombined with your mains.</font>

<font color='#000000'><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>gene : All;

Hot off the presses, my review of the Denon DVD-2900 Universal DVD player. &nbsp;Your feedback is appreciated.



Denon DVD-2900 Review (http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DenonDVD-2900-reviewp1.html)
Gene,

Great review on the Denon 2900. &nbsp;It's refreshing to see there is a source for evaluating higher-end equipment such as this. &nbsp;I have vistited Tweeter, Best Buy, and Circuit City recently since my Kenwood DV-5700 bit the dust after only two years so I am in market for a new DVD player and am strongly considering a Denon (either the 2200 or 2900) since my Denon CD player has been loyally with me for 10 years now.

I was amazed at the extremely limited selection of DVD players &nbsp;available at the three predominant retailers. &nbsp;In addition, their level of knowledge of the equipment they carry was also extremely limited! &nbsp;That's why your WEB site is both valuable and useful and provides a real service for both the consumer and manufacturers.

Keep up the great work and thanks for including the often overlooked &quot;build quality&quot; as a ranking. &nbsp;Finally someone recognizes the importance of this. &nbsp;And lastly, for sharing the response you had from Denon's customer service. &nbsp;Again, another important piece of information.

(BTW, I'm almost certain now I will be purchasing the Denon thanks to your evaluation)

Neal</font>

[DenonJeff]

<font color='#000000'>Gene has asked me to check in from time to time when I have the time, which is quite rare these days. &nbsp;It will probably be much easier to message me with questions as I am a member of 3 forum sites and cannot hang on them all.

This is in reference to the 'Open Drawer on power down' with the 2900. &nbsp;I have asked Japan to look into changing this design - many of our previous players did this as well.

Regards,</font>

[Michael H]

<font color='#000000'>I am fortunate enough to have one of the few 2900 in Australia at the moment. The 2900 replaced my Denon 2800 which was a very good player in its own right. Denon know how to make remarkable DVD players!

The stand out for me is the picture quality of the 2900. My player is coupled with a Rank Arena High Definition TV (32 inch). In progressive scan mode the picture quality is faultless. The greatess improvement was with NTSC Region 1 discs. Australia uses a PAL format which gives superior picture quality to NTSC, but this DVD player and a HD TV are making it hard to tell the difference.</font>

<font color='#000000'>Hi,

Long time watcher first time poster here. &nbsp;I just like to say great review, certainly more useful than the run of the mill! &nbsp;You guys obviously spend considerable time with product to do such a detailed analysis. &nbsp;I now have Denon on my radar screen for a new player, probably either the DVD-2200 or 2900. &nbsp;Thanks.</font>

[Rob Babcock]

<font color='#000000'>I would have loved a '2900, but I settled on the '2200. &nbsp;I'm sure the more expensive unit is worth the extra $, but I bought mine because my Pioneer DV-45A started to flake on me, so waiting another month wasn't an option. &nbsp;Also, I think that DVI output is almost mandatory on a $1k player (c'mon, Samsung has it on their $300 player! &nbsp;Not saying it's as well built, but really...). &nbsp;I strongly suspect that shortly we'll have DVI &amp; Firewire even on the sub $1000 players, so I'll use the '2200 til the next couple models come out.

That said, the '2200 sounds awesome, and better than my old Pioneer universal. &nbsp;The digital bass management sounds fantastic, although I do have one suggestion to make, since we have a Denon rep checking in. &nbsp;I know that a global setting for all MC is easy to use, but the versatility would be better if you could set up the bass management and speakers for EACH FORMAT SEPARATELY! &nbsp;This couldn't add too much to the cost but it would make the player much more appealing.

Still, I don't wanna grouse: &nbsp;my player rocks! &nbsp;A nice bonus, too, the ability to play MP3 &amp; JPEGs. &nbsp;I haven't tried the latter, but the former plays perfectly (all the discs I've tried- a few wouldn't play correctly on my DV-45A).</font>

<font color='#000000'>Good review!

My Denon 2900, to my ears and eyes, pretty much matches what you've had to say here in your review. *I've had this unit since first release and still marvel at the sound, both in two channel and multi-channel listening.

Now ... There's a fellow in Seattle who does tube upgrades to these units and I'm considering sending mine in. *Heck, if I can get an even finer sound, all the better. *The only problem is, I'm so happy with the sound as is, I'm worry that my ears just might want the unit returned to its original configuration. *Apparently those who have heard the modded units have said that the sound is improved considerably. *Here's what the mod consists of:

&quot;The mods include cap upgrades in the power supply, custom high performance shunt regulators for the DAC chips, a new shunt regulated, active loaded tube output stage with new high voltage power supply in the 2900 and new output RCAs. All original funtionality and outputs are maintained. With the placement of the new ventilaton holes the heat from the tube stage pretty well flows up and around the tube stage without heating the rest of the unit.&quot;

Have you heard any comments on this upgrade? *Do you believe that an upgrade of this sort would indeed result in better sound?

Would appreciate any comments you might have on this subject.

Ken</font>

[petermwilson]

<font color='#000000'>Hi Gene,
As usual an excellent review, but the seguey to the HIREZ music scams is long on technical stuff ( the validity of which I'm sure is well researched) but I'll admit here and now that I've been scammed over 150 times and will continue to be as long as someone cares to produce the music.

I agree that there are plenty of reworked titles that from (personal opinion) could have been better thought out, particularly large venue live albums. &nbsp;
I also feel the door is wide open here for a whole new generation of creativity which may not have the significance of the invention of &quot;The Wheel&quot; but is certainly enough to breathe fresh life into a musical era that was stagnating.

Maybee the best thing about Napster was that it accellerated some creative thinking and again made necessity the mother of invention. &nbsp;When I'm listening to Miles Davis, I;m not watching my BitRate meter I'm just enjoying some 30 or 40 year old music that to my ears has never sounded better.

Gene, I thought it was sad reading the &quot;Disc of the Month&quot; choice in Stereophile magazine an issue ago which chose Rachel Podger's &quot;LaStravaganza&quot;, identifying it as a cd, with no mention that it was also a mltich sacd.
Fortuneately Felix Martinez of DVD ect magazine felt the same way about the disc but chose the HIREZ version.

Your article about hirez music is important and should be read because there are plenty of bugs in the system, but the music buying public has been scammed plenty before these formats were ever thought of.

Peter m.</font>

<font color='#000000'>To Ken jr.
* * * *If you would like to add more noise, distortion and less reliability to your unit, than by all means go for the &quot;tube upgrade&quot; .
* * * * * * * * Dan Banquer</font>

<font color='#000000'>The review of the Denon 2900 is so overly favorable here, How can we believe this is as good as the review says and what will you possibly have left to say when you review the Denon 5900 coming out in October '03. Listed on the Denon and Crutchfield website as a real &quot;audiophile class player&quot;
at $1999?</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Well Mike, there is always room for improvement in any product and I did list many negatives about the player I am hoping the DVD-5900 will address. *Would you have preferred me to not positively comment on the measured flat color response we got out of this player or the extremely low analog noise floor?

The quality of audio/video is only as good as the best exposure one has had to it. *Right now the DVD-2900 is the best sounding DVD player I have had the pleasure of reviewing. *Perhaps the DVD-5900 will raise the bar of performance again, just like their AVR-5803 receiver did for me. *Prior to reviewing the AVR-5803 I didn't think it was possible for a receiver to outpeform similarly priced separates in every category, but I was proven wrong. *

Some definite advantages the DVD-5900 will have are:
1) DVI output (eventually active and will greatly benefit Digital Displays such as DLP, LCD, Front Projectors).
2) Digital Delay and Bass Management for SACD. *Currently no player other than the Sony's have this due to licensing issues and DSP horsepower requirements from what I understand.
3) Digital Link to Pass DVD-A and SACD to their AVR-5803. *Imagine the receiver being the final demarcation point for all Channel Trims, D/A conversion, Digital Delay &amp; Compensation, etc.

Thanks for your feedback.

Ken,

I would advise against adding a tube output stage to your DVD player, especially since it would void your warranty. *It is a fine sounding player as is IMO and most likely not the weakest link in your set-up. *You may wish to focus more on speaker positioning and room acoustics.


Peter;

Thanks for your feedback and appreciate your comments regarding DVD-A/SACD software issues. *We plan on doing follow-ups and updates to existing articles soon. *

[edited: added comment to Ken,Peter]</font>

[steve]

<font color='#000000'>Mike raises a good point that I'd like to comment on. *My feeling is that in many home theater systems, especially those with smaller TV's, people may not really notice a significant difference in video quality between several DVD players, provided they all have progressive scan output and so on. *But I know from experience that when you have a larger wide screen RPTV, LCD or Plasma display, there is indeed a noticeable, yet subtle difference between the video quality of players. *This is especially true when viewed on a TV that has been properly aligned (convergence) and had some form of color calibration (grayscale, contrast, hue...) such as the two we used for our review. *

Grayscale Calibration Article (http://audioholics.com/techtips/setup/avhardware/Grayscalecalibration1.html)

Also, depending on speakers, receiver, processor, amplifiers and so forth, many people may not notice a substantial difference in sound quality between players as some of it can be masked by the performance of the equipment. *But in our experience, and given the equipment we implemented in Reference System 1 (http://www.audioholics.com/about/staffsystems/system1.php) and Reference System 2 (http://www.audioholics.com/about/staffsystems/system2.php) when reviewing this product, we yet again, noticed a difference in performance between this player and others.

I think the moral of the story is to come up with a budget and buy the best for your money. *If you have the system that justifies a better quality DVD player for either video or sound (or both), and you plan on spending $1,000, we have shown in the article that the Denon DVD-2900 measures an improvement to the Sony DVP-NS999ES, and others we’ve seen.</font>

[Clint DeBoer]

<font color='#000080'>And as I recall, our review ratings state that value is a big factor... so a $1999 player has to earn the same type of rating at that price point.</font>

<font color='#000000'>Keep up the good work on the reviews.

Comments:
<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Switching back to the “Filter Off” position resulted in a more uniform and satisfying blend of system bass performance. Since all of the speakers in my reference system are full range capable, this did not present a significant problem.</td></tr></table>
I would like to take the liberty of clarifying a point hinted at in the above, but that I did not see mentioned: &nbsp;When &quot;Filter off&quot; is selected, Bass Management and the Bass Enhancer option are defeated. &nbsp;(With &quot;Filter on&quot; enabled, the Bass Enhancer option has effect, even if all speakers are set to &quot;Large&quot;.)

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I felt the DVD-2900 compared favorably to my Audience modded Sony SCD-CE775. On the fly DBT testing was not practical between the two players since their output levels were quite different and would involve constant volume level compensation when switching between units.</td></tr></table>
I don't understand. &nbsp;I gathered from the review that the receiver in use has adjustable analog input levels. &nbsp;Is this adjustability inadequate to balance the players for comparison?</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Hi Mod-free;

Good points on the Filter settings. &nbsp;Although I did briefly mention similar on page 2 of my review.
<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">According to the DVD-2900 Users Manual, the “Filter Off” feature defaults all channels to full range and boosts the subwoofer level 5dB for DD/DTS and 15dB for DVD-A/SACD sources. After comparing the two settings and compensating for subwoofer level differences, I ultimately preferred the “Filter Off” setting in my configuration. I just could not achieve proper system bass performance in my set-up in the “Filter On” position.</td></tr></table>

As for comparing the modded Sony vs the Denon on the fly, two things prohibited this:
1) At the time of the review I didn't have a pink noise test reference CD to compare and set levels (The Sony is a CD/SACD player only).
2) I recently discovered storable level trims are per mode of operation, not per mode and input like the marketing literature alludes to. &nbsp;So each time I would switch to different sources in &quot;Pure Direct&quot; mode, I would have to compensate via master volume or channel trims. &nbsp;My hands aren't quick enough to make such changes to make that type of test feasible <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

I will be writing an addendum to the AVR-5803 review after I receive the new upgraded hardware to discuss the added features, existing features I did not cover, and to point out a few of the marketing literature inconsistencies I have recently discovered.</font>