Denon report card - a very bright student but only getting passing grades
Stoked
Denon is finally getting into newer optical technology
Looks pretty darn solid like the 2930 and 3930
Disappointed
Not dual format BR/HD DVD
No SACD
No DVD-A
No Ethernet
Price (not surprised but with the lack of SACD, DVD-A, Ethernet, no HD DVD, the $2000 list seems a bit much)
On the plus side Denon isn’t exactly forcing out any competition – their new receivers and prepro are giving companies like Onkyo a chance to take a serious chunk of Denon’s fanbase. Onkyo is using new (in some ways superior) parts at a lower price than comparable Denon’s. Although I would have been willing to swing the money for the Denon, the lack of SACD and other features will probably have me waiting for Pioneer, Oppo, or someone else to make a decent player with all the key features that this unit offers but with more features that I want or a significantly lower price.
Is SACD a big deal? – probably not to the average Joe that buys his players at Target or Walmart but for people buying an expensive Denon – I think that is the exact market that is likely to own some SACDs.
Considering it won't be out until November, they still have time to repent.