Denon DVD-3910 Review (DVD Player)

[Scytales]

Unfortunately, the Denon SA-CD test disc is designed to set-up a multichannel system, not to measure SA-CD players. The only test signals on this SA-CD are spot frequencies at -16 dB SA-CD (a level chosen because it is close to the nominal output level of home audio equipment in order to set their working levels) and they are not low distortion, as discovered years back by @GXAlan and confirmed by NTTY.

Only two SA-CD test discs designed to measure SA-CD players have ever been made : the Philips Super Audio DAC test disc (ref. 3122 783 0063 2) and an earlier Sony test disc (ref. TGZD 90005) and they are now impossible to procure.

 

[AdrianusG]

Would surely forward that to any Show me your Text-Loaded Backside Cutie contest.

Yeah,

Looks like they they thought, lets print the entire operation manual there, save the forest(s)

 

[LuckyNat]

Im sure I can look this up and find out, but thought I'd ask here anyway -

Does anyone know what the FireWire ports are used for (the ieee1394 ports) ?

 

[LuckyNat]

Im sure I can look this up and find out, but thought I'd ask here anyway -

Does anyone know what the FireWire ports are used for (the ieee1394 ports) ?

My own reply:

The DVD-3910 supports DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection) allowing SACD content transmission over the IEEE 1394 connection as long as the processor being used also supports DTCP.

(from this review: https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_1/denon-dvd-3910-dvd-player-1-2005.html)

I wonder if DTCP can be spoofed by a computer on the other end .. or if any dacs have this input (actually, back in the day, early dCS equipment used to use the connection, just not sure if they used the protocol ..)

 

[Jole]

Thanks to author on very usefull review, explaination of measurements....and comments. I ordered 3930..d school.

 

[perdido34]

I use my 3910 as a CD/SACD player, but now the disc tray has developed a nasty habit of intermittently and unpredictably shutting after only a few seconds, which is barely enough time to get the disc in or out of the tray. Anyone else had this problem or know of a "fix"?

 

[LuckyNat]

I've a feeling I've encountered this before with a CD player. Basically what I experienced was something preventing the tray from fully reaching the open position where it would normally then hit a momentary switch to tell the control electronics that it is now open and to remain open.

If the tray mechanism keeps trying to open but experiences some resistance or never gets there, it's often programmed to close again. It prevents the mech motor from burning out if there is an obstruction.

The delay before it closes, in your case, sounds like it may be trying to open just one more mm to hit that switch, then times out as a failed attempt and closes again.

I can't remember, in my case, whether it was due to a slipping belt at the extremes (where there may have been extra resistance to travel), or teeth on a gear missing so that it couldn't open that last tiny bit..

Could also be some gunk or fluff just blocking the tray mech ..

 

[LuckyNat]

I use my 3910 as a CD/SACD player, but now the disc tray has developed a nasty habit of intermittently and unpredictably shutting after only a few seconds, which is barely enough time to get the disc in or out of the tray. Anyone else had this problem or know of a "fix"?

As per my post above, here is a thread elsewhere that describes similar issues, although maybe with opening too.

https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/dvd-2910-sticking-disc-drawer.31545/page-2

The last post in the thread is interesting as it describes some tray damping mechanism (stops the tray making a thud when it opens) becoming misaligned and messing with the tray movement.. If that has moved over time in yours, it may be blocking the tray at the end of travel.

Otherwise, there are some photos in the thread of the tray mechanism's belt and gears (you have to unfortunately join the forum to click on the images ..)

I hope that helps !

 

[perdido34]

As per my post above, here is a thread elsewhere that describes similar issues, although maybe with opening too.

https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/dvd-2910-sticking-disc-drawer.31545/page-2

The last post in the thread is interesting as it describes some tray damping mechanism (stops the tray making a thud when it opens) becoming misaligned and messing with the tray movement.. If that has moved over time in yours, it may be blocking the tray at the end of travel.

Otherwise, there are some photos in the thread of the tray mechanism's belt and gears (you have to unfortunately join the forum to click on the images ..)

I hope that helps !

Thanks for your help. Fortunately, the problem with the tray closing on its own has completely stopped. I didn't try to fix it, so I have no idea what caused the transient problem.

 

[Owl]

Most drives have two limit switches; one for open and one for closed. They may be getting corroded and not maintaining electrical contact.

 

[slindenmuth]

I have both the 2910 and 3910. What would you think of connecting the RCA out on the 3910 into a modern DAC such a Fiio R2R or SMSL? Will it still play my SACD and improve the quality? Currently, the RCA out on the Denon goes to the Aux of a Marantz 2245. I'm just thinking of putting the modern DAC in between. Should I see improved sound?

 

[kokono]

I have both the 2910 and 3910. What would you think of connecting the RCA out on the 3910 into a modern DAC such a Fiio R2R or SMSL? Will it still play my SACD and improve the quality? Currently, the RCA out on the Denon goes to the Aux of a Marantz 2245. I'm just thinking of putting the modern DAC in between. Should I see improved sound?

No, you will have no sound from spidf when playing sacd discs.
Dsd out is limited to Denon link or analog out, when using a Denon receiver with denon link 3, you can have dsd decoded by the receiver.
I also have the closing of the tray immediately after opening, I replaced the belt and now it's better, but I still have seen it once, so maybe the belt is not the only culprit.
Regarding the sound quality, it's really not my cup of tea, it seems compressed compared to some vintage cd players which probably measure much worse.