Denon 2900 vs Denon 2910: audio quality

[fredhammersmith]

Has somebody had the chance to compare the Denin 2910 and the Denon 2900, as far as audio is concerned? I am talking more specifically about their respective performances with redbook CD, SACD & DVD-A...

Both are available for about the same prize as B-stcok... The 2900 is supposed to be more "top-of-the-line" but maybe the 2910, coming after thew 2900, was an improvement.

I won't have the chance to compare both in a similar setting. Please share your experience.

 

[JES14]

The numbering is confusing, the 2910 actually replaces the 2200, while the 3910 is the updated 2900....but I'm sure if the price was equal, I'd try the 2910 for the HDMI. I'm sure the audio performence would be hard to tell apart.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, the 2910 replaced the 2200, but I think it still uses the same off the shelf Burr-Brown DACs that the 2200 used. The 2900 uses DACs that were designed specifically for that unit. The 2910 is also $700 MSPR vs the $1K 2900. If you don't need HDMI, I'd definitely go for the 2900, but if you do need HDMI, that would make the choice tougher. I'd say the 2900 will stil outperform the 2910 audio-wise.

 

[supervij]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but ever since losing out on a possible purchase of a used 2900, I've been thinking more and more about upgrading my universal player. My Pioneer 588A is perfectly adequate, but I want my SACDs and DVD-As to really shine. So I've been thinking about the Denon 2900 and 2910. Is there really much of an audio difference between the two when it comes to CDs and hi-res? JES says probably not, while j_garcia says yes.

I'd prefer the 2900, but my bids on eBay don't have much muscle. I might be able to snag a 2910, but then I'm sure I'd be wondering if I should have held out for a 2900. I'm getting used to that lingering regret, but I don't like it!

cheers,
supervij

 

[enrique]

I don't know what your budget is but i had a 2200 which was fine until it went on the blink after i was without any power for a cpl of days.FWIW I since bought a marantz dv6500 for just over 400. brand new.It's a fine player video and audio wise.But i would say the video is more film like than the denon.

 

[j_garcia]

I replaced my 2200 with a 2900. Video is slightly improved, but only very little to my eyes. The audio was noticably improved, and it is definitely a much more solid player in terms of build quality. For the MSRP difference between the two, I have to say, I probably would not have been happy had I spent the extra $450 for the 2900 new, but that's becasue I don't use it as my primary audio player. the 2200 also has slightly better bass management than the 2900, because it was a little bit newer of a model. In light of that, my recommendation would probably be to go with the 2910, especially if it has bass management like the 2200.

In terms of video, per the Secrets progressive comparison, the 2910 and 2200 both scored the same as the $2K Marantz DV9500 (6500 has not been tested yet). The 2900 and 3910 scored quite a bit higher.

 

[supervij]

Hey guys, thanks for your opinions. My eBay scouring occasionally turns up interesting things, but like I said, my bids don't have a lot of muscle especially when it comes to sellers in the States (I'm in Canada). I have found a few here and there in Canada though, so it's not like I'm paying "new" prices".

Since I can't afford the Denons 5910, 5900 or the 3910, nor the Marantz 9500, I've settles on the Denons 2900, 2910, and 2200, in that order. I would've put the 1920 in there, probably at the bottom, but I want to read more reviews about it before I seriouly consider it.

I'll be using the player for movies 70% and music 30% of the time. Interesting that you recommend the 2910, j_garcia, I thought you were all over the 2900. That's okay, though, I'm just glad to get your opinion. So would you say your recommendation would be the 2910, then the 2200, then the 2900?

Off I go to eBay! Oh god -- will the spending never end?!

cheers,
supervij

 

[My Rantz]

J Garcia

Can you explain the difference in the bass management between the DVD-2200 and the DVD-2900. I have the 2900 but all the specs I've seen on both of these players seem to state the bass management is the same. You didn't mean the 2910 which allows dsd conversion to pcm for delay settings did you?

 

[j_garcia]

The 2200 has a +10dB offset for hires audio that the 2900 lacks - likely because Denon's receivers have functionality to accomodate this, while most other manufacturers do not. This is really the only difference I noticed, but it is a pretty big one. I found bass management to be adequate but not spectacular on the 2900. The problem being that you can only adjust the levels of the speakers down, not up, effectively narrowing your range and when you have to compensate for the missing 10dB that hires audio requires, that makes the narrower range a bit of a handycap for those of us who do not have a recent Denon receiver.

Interesting that you recommend the 2910, j_garcia, I thought you were all over the 2900. That's okay, though, I'm just glad to get your opinion. So would you say your recommendation would be the 2910, then the 2200, then the 2900?

Well, having gone from the 2200 to the 2900, I have to say the 2900 IS a better audio player and it is definitely much better build quality, but the 2200 had about 80% of the audio capability and 95% of the video capability at almost half the MSRP originally. They are by no means equivalent players, but for 70% movies, the 2200 and/or 2910 should do quite well. If you found a used 2900 for a good price, I'd say it would be worth it, but the 2910 will likely give you everything you need as well and have somewhat improved bass management like the 2200.

I guess what I am saying really is, now that I own one, the 2900 did not completely blow away the 2200. Though I didn't expect the 2900 to embarrass the 2200, the differences were far more subtle than I had expected.

 

[supervij]

Thanks, j_garcia, that's a big help. I actually just lost an eBay auction for the 2910. I was the second highest bidder, and I lost by ten bucks. Ten lousy bucks! Ah well, better luck next time.

cheers,
supervij

 

[My Rantz]

"The 2200 has a +10dB offset for hires audio that the 2900 lacks "

Thanks J Garcia. Then it is a good thing my Marantz AVR has speaker and sub level settings for the 7.1 inputs, utilising that option I have found no problem with bass management using the 2900.

 

[aarond]

supervij
have you tried here http://dakmart.com/website/Search.asp?keyword=dvd-29

 

[j_garcia]

"The 2200 has a +10dB offset for hires audio that the 2900 lacks "

Thanks J Garcia. Then it is a good thing my Marantz AVR has speaker and sub level settings for the 7.1 inputs, utilising that option I have found no problem with bass management using the 2900.

I can do that with my 8300 too, but I have to drop the levels on the 2900 and boost some on the receiver to get the levels right. With the 2200, I could leave all the levels at 0 and make all the adjustments with the receiver, because I didn't have to compensate for the 10dB offset.

 

[supervij]

supervij
have you tried here http://dakmart.com/website/Search.asp?keyword=dvd-29

Thanks, aarond. The quoted price for the 2910 is $517.98 U.S. The winning bid was in the area of $480 U.S. So I'm gonna keep checking the deals out on eBay. And I can live with my Pioneer 588A a little while longer!

cheers,
supervij