Does anyone recoginize the Denon 5900/5910ci as a hi end source?

[kool bubba ice]

They seldom get mentioned here, unless they are modded. Which brings me to my next question.. Would you only consider them a hi end source after modding... I speaking, strictly 2 channel analog.. CD/SACD/DVD-A/HDCD. I recently got one used for 250 so my exceptions are pretty high..

They should make for a great transport.

 

[Skylab]

Well...I like mine a lot, and it's unmodded. As you know, the thing is a beast - as well built as you could hope a disc player to be. At the time I got it, I was so impressed with its sound that I sold my DAC - I was really into SACD at the time, and the DAC of course was useless for that. I was also very into multi-channel at the time, and had high hopes that multi-channel SACD sound come to dominate the audio landscape.

But of course, it didn't, and a couple years later I started digitizing my CDs (lossless of course), and as SACD releases slowed drastically and 180-gram Vinyl started to increase dramatically, I drifted back to Vinyl as my main hi-fi source, so my DVD-5900 goes largely unused, except for movies.

I have had people try to attack me for using "only" a universal player as my digital source, but never anyone who has actually OWNED a 5900. It sounds much better than many Denon players which came after it, and was Stereophile Class A for years. It's as good an SACD player as most people could ever need. There is certainly better for CD playback, but only in the $2K+ range.

As always, JMO.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well...I like mine a lot, and it's unmodded. As you know, the thing is a beast - as well built as you could hope a disc player to be. At the time I got it, I was so impressed with its sound that I sold my DAC - I was really into SACD at the time, and the DAC of course was useless for that. I was also very into multi-channel at the time, and had high hopes that multi-channel SACD sound come to dominate the audio landscape. But of course, it didn't, and a couple years later I started digitizing my CDs (lossless of course), and as SACD releases slowed drastically and 180-gram Vinyl started to increase dramatically, I drifted back to Vinyl as my main hi-fi source, so my DVD-5900 goes largely unused, except for movies. I have had people try to attack me for using "only" a universal player as my digital source, but never anyone who has actually OWNED a 5900. It sounds much better than many Denon players which came after it, and was Stereophile Class A for years. It's as good an SACD player as most people could ever need. There is certainly better for CD playback, but only in the $2K+ range. As always, JMO.

Awesome reply. I think universal players get spat on in general here & seen as a alternative to those who can't afford more.. For 325 I'm very pleased by my purchase.. Noticeable difference over my 2930ci for both digitial/analog. For 325 the 5900 would be very hard to beat for CD/SACD play back IMO.. It also makes a great transport..Much better with my Yamaha 1800's DAC in the mix.. The 2930ci as a transport was the total opposite.. Differences were subtle at best, & needed to do many A/B.. With the 5900 I needed none.. For 300 it would be silly not to buy a 5900 for SACD play back.

 

[grawk]

Good chance it's upgradable with an improved I/V stage for large gains, too.

 

[Skylab]

Indeed, there are quite a few folks who mod the 5900, since it's such a good player in terms of build quality, and in terms of it's "universalness".

I should also have mentioned that the HDCD decoding is also very good.

 

[music_man]

i don't know how you paid so little. it's not the best of the best but you would have to spend over 2 grand to get better. for sacd it only gets a little better for thousands. for what you paid i wouldn't even be questioning it. i saw somewhere you asked if it was as good as an arcam. yes, it is as good as an arcam dvd player. nearly as good as their cd player. the thing is built like a monster. just don't hurt your back lifting it

music_man

 

[purk]

I got the Exemplar 5910 that sounds excellent in all formats. IMO, it even best the Cary 306 SACD that I used to own in both redbook and SACD playback.

Not try to confuse you, but I believe the 3910 is an upgraded of the old 5900. The 5910 is the upgraded of the old Denon DVD-9000. The 5900 weighs in at 35 lbs while the 5910 is at 47 lbs, so they are not identical machine. So which player that you get for $250?

 

[grawk]

The 3910 is an upgraded 2900. The 5910 might be an upgraded 3900.

 

[purk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif The 3910 is an upgraded 2900. The 5910 might be an upgraded 3900.

No it is not. The 5910 and 3910 were released at the same time, and I don't think there is the 3900. According to the HT Mag, the 2910 is the upgraded 2900. The 3910 is the upgraded for the 5900, and the 5910 is the new version of the DVD-9000.

See the link for review of the 5910.
Product Review

 

[grawk]

HT Mag may say that, but the 2910 is definitely a different beast all together from the 2900. The 3910 is an upgraded 2900, even if denon was marketting it as an upgraded 5900.

 

[purk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif HT Mag may say that, but the 2910 is definitely a different beast all together from the 2900. The 3910 is an upgraded 2900, even if denon was marketting it as an upgraded 5900.

I also found other reviews stating the same, need to dig up though. IMO, the 3910 is more in line with the 5900. The 5910 outweights the 5900 for nearly 15 lbs. All I'm trying to point out is the 5910 is a big jump from 5900 and you can't upgrade the 5900 to 5910. You however can send the 5910 to Denon and get the "Ci" treatment for $500.

Purk

 

[kool bubba ice]

All this is confusing me.. When does the 3939CI stand then? I know it betters the 5900 in the Video department.. From what I read.. The 3930ci is 90% of the 5910, with more functions.. The 5900 weights 28lbs. The 5910 weights 42lbs. I might buy the 5910 for 800. I hear it has the best video ever.. But ever is a big word.. Maybe for under 4,000.. I also heard the 3910 was a economical replacement for the 5900.. Is the 3910/3930 really better then the the 5900 in the analog section un modded? I might buy another..

One thing that stands out.. HDCD playback on the 5900 kills that of the 2930ci.. Playing the wall on the 2930ci, I heard little to no difference. With the 5900, the difference really jumps out at you. Is SACD 5.1 analog only on the 5900, cause it won't read my SACD disks in 2 channel mode..

 

[Skylab]

The video performance of the 5900 did have a few issues, which kept it from being state of the art in that regard (when using it's upconversion). But it SOUNDED better than the 3910/3930 for sure. It really sounds good, even unmodded.

 

[purk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif All this is confusing me.. When does the 3939CI stand then? I know it betters the 5900 in the Video department.. From what I read.. The 3930ci is 90% of the 5910, with more functions.. The 5900 weights 28lbs. The 5910 weights 42lbs. I might buy the 5910 for 800. I hear it has the best video ever.. But ever is a big word.. Maybe for under 4,000.. I also heard the 3910 was a economical replacement for the 5900.. Is the 3910/3930 really better then the the 5900 in the analog section un modded? I might buy another.. One thing that stands out.. HDCD playback on the 5900 kills that of the 2930ci.. Playing the wall on the 2930ci, I heard little to no difference. With the 5900, the difference really jumps out at you. Is SACD 5.1 analog only on the 5900, cause it won't read my SACD disks in 2 channel mode..

Yes, it is very confusing. If you can afford it, I would check out the Denon 5910 and have the best of both worlds. I believe the going price for a used 5910 is b/w $700 t0 $800. Another player worths considering is the Sony DVD-9100ES at $300 to $400.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, it is very confusing. If you can afford it, I would check out the Denon 5910 and have the best of both worlds. I believe the going price for a used 5910 is b/w $700 t0 $800. Another player worths considering is the Sony DVD-9100ES at $300 to $400.

Thank you Purk.. You seem to know about great sounding vintage denon/sony players..Does the 5900 have a better analog section then the 3910/3930? I was even looking at the ES777 instead of the 5910, which I could get at the same price 800.. Would the 60lb ES777 be a better deal.. My main goal is CD/SACD. I already have a BR player.. Thanks again.. You make a lot of sense in this area.. Skylab too..

Even Seen a REGA Saturn that looked spiffy for under 400..