Denon DVD-A1UDCI Universal Blu-ray player Review

admin · #1 10-21-2009, 11:56 PM

The Denon DVD-A1UDCI Universal Blu-ray player exemplifies flagship performance and status from a company that continually strives to be the leader in high performance audio gear and transports. It flawlessly plays every disc format currently relevant in the marketplace. The fact that every output is always active on this player gives an end user and/or installer almost endless configuration options on how one could utilize this player. Whether I played back a Blu-ray, SACD, DVD-A or standard DVD, I was always in shock and awe at the end result. During this review process, I got a glimpse of a feeling professional car reviewers get when they have the opportunity to test drive that $300k Ferrari, only I didn’t have change my pants at the end of the test drive. Awesome product!

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ratso · #2 10-22-2009, 01:34 AM

there really is no excuse for denon to have put out a product this good and then leave a big ugly wart for a manual on it's butt. it's not like it would cost them a ton of money to have a technical writer re-do their manuals for them. what is the issue here? it seems to cross all of denon's product lines. thank god for batpig!

Spizz · #3 10-22-2009, 01:56 AM

Nice review Gene as usual.

However I would of purchased this player if it wasn't for one thing which I am dissapointed the review didn't mention in the CONS. It is slow. Slow to load, slow to Eject the tray (without using a lot of juice with the Quick Start feature). I mean when Oppo, LG, JVC can all have start and load times that rival the PS3, and Denon with all its engineering know how can't I couldn't pull the trigger on this player. Even my older Panasonic BD30 was quicker. Just one of those things that I want in a Blu-Ray player so in the end I went for the Oppo. Would of loved the Denon to match up with my other Denon gear but so be it. The Denon DVD-A1UD is more a Bentley than a Ferrari.

Strangely the Marantz clone of this player is said to be much faster. Go figure.

Gene hopefully Denon can improve the speeds on this player, however I believe the issue is probably hardware related, rather than firmware related.

Seth V · #4 10-22-2009, 05:37 AM

Excellent review Gene!

Thank you for taking the time to go into such depth. I agree that this player is an amazing performer, I have been loving mine since I got it. Blu-ray's and DVD's have never looked as good in my setup as they do now through the A1UDCI. I'm sure it was VERY hard to part with this player after you completed the review.

And yes, gotta love those three blue LED's.

Seth

gliz · #5 10-22-2009, 10:18 AM

is a player like this really that much better than say the new Oppo?

gene · #6 10-22-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

However I would of purchased this player if it wasn't for one thing which I am dissapointed the review didn't mention in the CONS. It is slow. Slow to load, slow to Eject the tray (without using a lot of juice with the Quick Start feature). I mean when Oppo, LG, JVC can all have start and load times that rival the PS3, and Denon with all its engineering know how can't I couldn't pull the trigger on this player. Even my older Panasonic BD30 was quicker. Just one of those things that I want in a Blu-Ray player so in the end I went for the Oppo. Would of loved the Denon to match up with my other Denon gear but so be it. The Denon DVD-A1UD is more a Bentley than a Ferrari.

Strangely the Marantz clone of this player is said to be much faster. Go figure.

Read the review again. I discuss this in detail which is why I suggest using the Quick Start feature if you're in a hurry or the normal feature if your green friendly. I didn't measure the start up power between the modes and vs the Oppo player. I can't imagine it would be as much as a class A/B amp so its really not that big of a deal. I will check my power meter next time during power up and idle.

squire.10@osu.e · #7 10-22-2009, 11:14 AM

Is it just me, or is that essentially the exact same remote as my Oppo BDP-83? Looks like they changed the color of the backlighting, moved the backlight button to the bottom and then slapped a Denon badge on the very same remote that Oppo uses.

kevon27 · #8 10-22-2009, 12:36 PM

Reviewer... Can you let everyone know if this $4000 + machine is way better than a $500 Oppo???

Michael · #9 10-22-2009, 01:10 PM

I have 4-years old Denon-5900 universal player, which I bought also given numerous positive reviews.
Well, comparing to my SlimDevices Transporter, Denon is awful is stereo. Listenable, of course.. but not high-end..

Are these guys still use Burr-Brown DACs?

I built myself a 'high-end' HTPC with Sony blu-ray drive, ASUS XONAT HDAV1.3 sound card and NVIDIA 9600GT video card and very happy with the sound and video quality.

I am not sure that in this era of downloaded material you guys need to invest into another brick.

gliz · #10 10-22-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevon27

Reviewer... Can you let everyone know if this $4000 + machine is way better than a $500 Oppo???

I bet on a bench it is but i dont run my grear on a bench. In real world day to day use is my point. Price does not alway mean better and for that much money it needs to be way better for me.