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Denon 3930CI or DacMagic for Redbook audio ?

post #1 of 7
12/19/10 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can comment on the DAC's (and output stages) in these units and how they compare.

I'm purely looking at audio performance of course.


Edited by thathertz - 12/19/10 at 7:07am
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post #2 of 7
12/21/10 at 1:17am

Are those your only choices? Why are you looking at the 3930CI for redbook only? confused.gif

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post #3 of 7
12/21/10 at 10:34am
Thread Starter 

Hi

 

I realise it perhaps seems like a strange choice :)

 

I ended up buying a Denon 2930, a Denon 3930 and a DacMagic (again).

Damn Ebay and my impulsive nature...

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post #4 of 7
12/21/10 at 11:33am

lol. Not sure why the two Denon units though, the 3930 should have everything the 2930 has and more, no?

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post #5 of 7
12/21/10 at 6:58pm

That is very strange indeed. The 3930 should be better than the 2930.

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post #6 of 7
12/23/10 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by computerparts View Post

That is very strange indeed. The 3930 should be better than the 2930.


Indeed wink_face.gif

 

Ok, I wanted the Denon 2930 primarily for redbook audio but with the added bonus of getting a great dvd player.

I got one second hand at the limit I wanted to pay. Ok, so then I have the 2930 which has fantastic reviews...I couldn't

be happier...it sounds great. BUT.........the 3930 has better DAC's, a better power supply and a much improved

output stage (if I'm to believe the comments 'out there'). Hmmmm...so I'm now looking at the 3930 and wondering

how much better it would be...I'm also wondering if it beats the sound of the Dacmagic I used to own. Only one way

to find out.....I buy both. So I have the 3930 connected up to my Singlepower MPX3 and it sounds very very good.

The Dacmagic is sitting next to it, unused for now and in vertical guise since the gargantuan 3930 takes up nearly a

quarter of my desk space.

 

Current plan: sell the 2930 which is a very desirable unit. Then let the battle commence between the DacMagic and

the 3930 for the redbook crown bearing in mind the 3930 is also (supposedly) close to the pinnacle of dvd players - it has

another trick up it's sleeve. The lesser of the two will go onto Ebay I guess.

 

I hope that makes sense!

 

Just in case this is my last post for a while, enjoy the holidays all and have a great Christmas!! atsmile.gif


Edited by thathertz - 12/23/10 at 1:57pm
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post #7 of 7
12/27/10 at 12:33pm
Thread Starter 

Just for reference: the Denon 3930 is the clear winner against the DacMagic which sounds a little congested with a more

restricted soundtstage. Still very good but not as good as the 3930. I believe the Denon uses two pcm-1796 DACs in

dual differential mode while the DacMagic uses WM8740 (again dual differential mode). Not sure as yet about the output

stages but the 3930 is the clear winner without getting into fine details. Just shows what can be achieved with a modest

budget. The 3930 cost just over £200 (Used/Ebay) and it was very recently amongst the finest upscaling DVD players you

could buy. I feel I have a true bargain here since the list price was around £1000.

 

I just hope my desk can cope with the weight of the Denon unit. It's built like it's made for warfare. Seriously normal_smile%20.gif

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