Denon 3910 and Denon Link

[eirepaul]

First of all, I am a big fan of Denon equipment. I am also a big fan of multi-channel music. I currently have the Denon 3805 and an inexpensive Pioneer universal player. My question is this - does a digital cable connection (such as Denon Link or i-link) make a significant difference in sound resolution over good quality analog cables for multi-chanel music. Has anyone done a detailed comparison of the two?

I didn't want to spend $1300 on the Denon 3910 universal, and the 2910 doesn't have a digital connection option for multi-channel. I am hoping the next generation of Denon universals has an affordable model with Denon Link (my only option for the 3805). Any experience, thoughts or comments?

 

[Mort Corey]

I have a 3805 and 2900 utilizing analog cables. The sound is superb (to my ears) and I would think that the main advantage of using the D-link would be just to eliminate some wires vs noticeable sound quality improvement. It's largely a matter of which unit has the better DAC's. The 5910 I think I would run multi channel music via analog....the 3910 is probably a toss up.

Mort

 

[ozdvduser]

I have a 2910/2805 combo and AFAIK the sound is superb via analogue. From posts in forums here the 3910/3805 combo via DenonLink (the new DL3 version) is getting rave reviews - but as usual, it all depends on what you can afford.

 

[RMK!]

First of all, I am a big fan of Denon equipment. I am also a big fan of multi-channel music. I currently have the Denon 3805 and an inexpensive Pioneer universal player. My question is this - does a digital cable connection (such as Denon Link or i-link) make a significant difference in sound resolution over good quality analog cables for multi-chanel music. Has anyone done a detailed comparison of the two?

I didn't want to spend $1300 on the Denon 3910 universal, and the 2910 doesn't have a digital connection option for multi-channel. I am hoping the next generation of Denon universals has an affordable model with Denon Link (my only option for the 3805). Any experience, thoughts or comments?

I have the 3805/3910 combo and was running 5 channel analog until DL3 was released in June. I notice little if any difference in playing SACD media. The DA converters in the 3910 are so good that getting rid of the cables was the main benefit of Denon Link. I will say the 3910 is an excellent player for audio and video but as you say, expensive (I paid $770 for B-stock). I have read of others using i-link from other universals to the 3805 and they were very happy with that one cable solution.

 

[PENG]

I have read of others using i-link from other universals to the 3805 and they were very happy with that one cable solution.

My 3805 doesn't have i-link, only D-link. Am I missing something?

 

[Jason Coleman]

I have a 3805 and 2900 utilizing analog cables. The sound is superb (to my ears) and I would think that the main advantage of using the D-link would be just to eliminate some wires vs noticeable sound quality improvement. It's largely a matter of which unit has the better DAC's. The 5910 I think I would run multi channel music via analog....the 3910 is probably a toss up.

Mort

Actually, the biggest advantage of using DL3 is taking advantage of the auto-eq/room correction features of the 3805/4806/5805. SACD is now absolutely beautiful, whereas before I always felt that the sound needed to be tweaked. The 3910's DACs are indeed superior to those in the 3805, but the processing in the 3805 outweighs whatever subtle nuance of "pureness" that an analog signal might deliver.

J.

 

[Elecrick]

Denon Link 3 and SACD disks

I recently purchased a Denon 3910 player and 4806 receiver. Denon Link 3 works great with DVD Audio disks and a SACD sampler disk, but I only get two channel playback with the other SACDs that I've tried. The 3910 is set to use Denon Link 3. Any sugestions?

 

[PENG]

I assume your other SACDs have the multi-channel tracks on them. Did you select multi-channel by pushing the super audio cd setup button? Also, the button is only effective when the player is not playing.

 

[perato]

I agree with the other posters that the adavantage to DL or iLink is the cable clutter reduction and choice of which DAC to use. I have an Onkyo TXSR701 with a Denon DVD3910 connected via dirt cheap analog RCA cables. If you are put off by the price of the 3910, the Yamaha DVD-2500 (MSRP US$750) has iLink and is a universal disc player. I do not know if it has the same crossover, bass management, time delay, and channel level trim features as the 3910 though.