Denon 5900 vs. 3910 for Audio

[taxman150]

I currently have a Denon 2900 universal player and enjoy it very much. However, I would still love to upgrade to either the 5900 or 3910 as I understand that the audio quality is better on both of these models in comparison to the 2900.

I can obtain a demo 5900 for about the same price as a new 3910. My main concern is audio quality for DVD-A's, SACD's, and CD's as I assume that video quality will be good enough for me in either case.

Has anyone here compared the 5900 to the 3910 in terms of audio quality? Based on what I've read elsewhere, it seems that the 5900 is a bit better than the 3910 in terms of audio.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[gene]

Has anyone here compared the 5900 to the 3910 in terms of audio quality? Based on what I've read elsewhere, it seems that the 5900 is a bit better than the 3910 in terms of audio.

If you are not using Denon D.Link or I.link to digitally transmit DVD-A/SACD, then you may wish to consider the 5900 since it does have a more robust power supply and likely analog section. For analog, the 5900 is tough to beat as far as universal players go IMO.

 

[taxman150]

If you are not using Denon D.Link or I.link to digitally transmit DVD-A/SACD, then you may wish to consider the 5900 since it does have a more robust power supply and likely analog section. For analog, the 5900 is tough to beat as far as universal players go IMO.

Thanks very much for your response Gene.

I would be using the 5900's analog 5.1 outputs instead of the Denon Link/I.link as my receiver is a Yamaha RX-V2400.

I read your reviews of the 2900 and the 5900 again. It sounded like you were impressed by the improvement in sound quality in the 5900 vs. the 2900 on DVD-A's and SACD's. Do you think this improvement is something that is easily noticed - even to ears that aren't as well trained as yours?

Also, did you make a similar conclusion regarding Redbook CD's?

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[Krazykaj]

I have both the 5900/A11 and the 3910 at the moment.
Even though the 5900 is a lot better in it's build quality (it weights a ton) so presumably has a better power supply etc. . . .
I was hard pressed to spot any huge difference in audio quality. The 5900 was a tad better it seemed, in stereo with analog connections, a cleaner sound. But other than that it, was much of a muchness.

But even if the 5900 does have more of an advantage in audio than the 3910, as many people would argue, I'd still go for the 3910 as it has the better video side, and all the, or I should say, most of the bugs have been ironed out overall.
The 3910 is the replacement for the 5900, so theoretically, everything, sound quality, components used, should be just as good, or better (bar build quality) than the 5900.
And this is looking in hindsight, as I asked a similar question a month or so ago, about which to get. But now that I have both for testing, the 3910 comes out on top. You can read here, it may help a bit Click Me and also, have a look over at AVSforum, there is a lot of detailed discussion on the 3910 and the 5900 and how they perform, if you are interested.
Also, the 3910 is a bit more future proof with HDMI. Though then I suppose you could wait for HD DVD players.

I use the iLink connection anyway now to a Z9, so the audio part of the player does not worry me much. But in your case, either one will be a large upgrade over the 2900.

Good pickings

cheers
KJ

 

[taxman150]

Thanks very much for your thoughts on the comparison. I have read through a number of the posts on the AVS forum and it did seem that many people gave a slight edge to the 5900 in terms of sound quality, however, whether I would notice this on my system in comparison to the 3910 is debateable.

I ended up purchasing an excellent, very lightly used 5900 for $750 shipped yesterday. I will have it on Friday. Given this price, I felt that I really couldn't go wrong as I am getting it for quite a bit less than I could get a new 3910 for.

One question for you or any other 5900 owners out there please. This unit has the ESS6334-6 firmware installed. It wasn't sent to Denon to upgrade the unit for firewire connectivity or to install the software for it. As I understand from posts by "DenonJeff" over on the AVS forum, the ESS6334-8 firmware only include upgrades related to firewire and if you don't have the firewire hardware upgrade - this firmeware is not needed or useful.

My receiver doesn't have firewire connectivity now and I doubt that I will need it in the near future. Is there any reason to do the firewire upgrade - other than to maybe improve its marketability if I would sell it sometime in the near future?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

I have both the 5900/A11 and the 3910 at the moment.
Even though the 5900 is a lot better in it's build quality (it weights a ton) so presumably has a better power supply etc. . . .
I was hard pressed to spot any huge difference in audio quality. The 5900 was a tad better it seemed, in stereo with analog connections, a cleaner sound. But other than that it, was much of a muchness.

But even if the 5900 does have more of an advantage in audio than the 3910, as many people would argue, I'd still go for the 3910 as it has the better video side, and all the, or I should say, most of the bugs have been ironed out overall.
The 3910 is the replacement for the 5900, so theoretically, everything, sound quality, components used, should be just as good, or better (bar build quality) than the 5900.
And this is looking in hindsight, as I asked a similar question a month or so ago, about which to get. But now that I have both for testing, the 3910 comes out on top. You can read here, it may help a bit Click Me and also, have a look over at AVSforum, there is a lot of detailed discussion on the 3910 and the 5900 and how they perform, if you are interested.
Also, the 3910 is a bit more future proof with HDMI. Though then I suppose you could wait for HD DVD players.

I use the iLink connection anyway now to a Z9, so the audio part of the player does not worry me much. But in your case, either one will be a large upgrade over the 2900.

Good pickings

cheers
KJ

 

[Krazykaj]

congrats on your purchase, you have a nice machine and great price!!!

concerning the firmware updates, I am not to sure, as my unit came with it all already done. I think your best bet is to contact Denon with your serial number and firmware revision, and they will tell you what need to be done, and if you need to send your unit away. Denon usually have good customer support so you shouldn't have too much trouble sorry i cannot be of further help here, someone else may know a bit more.

let us know what you think of the 5900 when you get it.

enjoy

KJ

 

[goodman]

The 3910 is the replacement for the 5900, so theoretically, everything, sound quality, components used, should be just as good, or better (bar build quality) than the 5900.

I was on the Denon web site checking out the specs, and it appeared that the 2900 and 3910 have the same dimensions and weight (about 17 lbs.) The 5900 weighs about 27 lbs. These specs led me to conclude that the 3910 is the replacement for the 2900, and for $300.00 more than the 2900 includes Denon Link, DCDI and HDMI. Any other opinions?

 

[gene]

FYI; All Denon firmware updates can be found here

 

[taxman150]

FYI; All Denon firmware updates can be found here

Thanks Gene, but do you have the brand new 5900 firmware - ESS-6334-D yet? I only see the -6 firmware listed.

The -D firmware is supposed to fix the problems with playing Universal Group discs as I mentioned in the label incompatibility thread.

Thanks,

 

[LEVESQUE]

The 3910 is replacing the 2900. The upcoming 5910 in january will replace the 5900.

 

[Krazykaj]

oh, i am quite sure i was reading everywhere that the 3910 was the current replacment for the 5900. I even thought i saw Denonjeff say this, i'll see if i can find it.
The 5910 is meant to be in a whole new class of its own when it comes out. The new beast of a DVD player.
Denon made the naming confusing of the machines, but i'm quite sure that internally, the 3910 is the 'new' '5900 in a 2900 body', which is why in terms of components and specs, they are near identical. The 5910 on the other hand will have supposedly everything new and different, possible even HD support.
Not that the naming really matters, mind you as long as they do as they are meant to. i'm probably wrong all this though.

anyway
Cheers

 

[Jason Coleman]

The 3910 isn't intended to directly replace the 2900 or the 5900. It is certainly a step up from the 2900, and seems on par in some respects to the 5900...maybe even better on the video end. I think that people have found the 3910 to be a "comparable" player to the 5900 and therefore see the 5900 on its way out and the 3910 on its way in and assume that its the direct replacement. I don't believe that this is the case...just look at the msrp's of the two units. The upcoming 5910 will be the replacement for the 5900...from one flagship unit to another. The numerical sequence that Denon uses (although sometimes ambiguous) actually makes some sense.

Jason

 

[Punkuk]

Modding a 3910

I just sent my new 3910 to get it modded.
If anyone is interested go to the following link
http://www.tweakaudio.com/EVS modified SACD players.html
Ric does all the mods in house and is very helpfull if you have questions regarding hotrodding your CD/DVD.
They dont sell them they just mod them.
He will be cataloging these mods in the coming weeks on his site and I will post my opinions on the sound and picture quality when I get it back.