Denon DVD-A11 (DVD/SACD/CD Player)

[Scytales]

Neat trick, @NTTY !

@leebergtally

Firewire was relatively common on players with SACD capability in the middle of the 2000, because it was the first standard digital interface to allow transmission of DSD in a secure way to prohibit copy of the bitstream.

 

[Bob101]

Wow, Firewire out! There’s at least one outboard DAC I can think of that would be compatible (Weiss DAC 202).

Silly copper plated chassis though. That’s not something money needs to go into, especially considering the high price of copper. Bling for the inside of a player, for no reason other than publicity photos of the internals?

Since back then Denon still was an engineer-driven company, all I can think of is that, at the time, it was meant to make a difference. The percentage of people that actually knew how their equipment looked under the bonnet was I guess much much lower than how low it is today. Though I can't fathom what it would supposedly have done, as we now know it is indeed a (highly likely) a waste of materials. At least the player has the sort of performance that most contemporary niche players could at best match, and mostly dream of. So I forgive Denon for this. And maybe it does make a difference? Will we ever know?

 

[NTTY]

Coming from the pro video world I’m surprised to see BNC analog component video outputs in addition to RCA. Also as someone mentioned earlier, FireWire (audio)

High end that was

 

[Hipocrates]

What a nice unit!
Thank you for the review.

 

[EDMoser]

Another really great review @NTTY!

Would you by chance have access to a Yamaha CX-1000U preamp to review? I used to own that preamp, and I loved the sound and operation of it. Would be curious to see how it performs.

Keep up the great work, thanks!

 

[Billy Budapest]

Since back then Denon still was an engineer-driven company, all I can think of is that, at the time, it was meant to make a difference. The percentage of people that actually knew how their equipment looked under the bonnet was I guess much much lower than how low it is today. Though I can't fathom what it would supposedly have done, as we now know it is indeed a (highly likely) a waste of materials. At least the player has the sort of performance that most contemporary niche players could at best match, and mostly dream of. So I forgive Denon for this. And maybe it does make a difference? Will we ever know?

It’s diamagnetic. Maybe that entered their thinking.

 

[AndreaT]

Well done nice review. I hope one day to read a review of the Esoteric X-05, my reference player for 2007-2014.

 

[johnnyx]

Since back then Denon still was an engineer-driven company,

If you want to shield a circuit from Electro-Magnetic interference, copper plated steel is the best choice. The copper shields against the "electro" part, while the steel shields against the "magnetic" part. That is their engineering thinking, but audiophiles may swear it makes a difference, while sceptics may call it a waste.

 

[welwynnick]

Steel is perfectly good. It doesn't even have to be solid.
The gaps, slots, holes, gaskets, filters, wire runs and grounding are much more important than the metal used.
(I was an EMC R&D engineer for 5 years).

 

[Grumpy]

2 Hand for 1 year ago, price 70 USD in Denmark

 

[Billy Budapest]

If you want to shield a circuit from Electro-Magnetic interference, copper plated steel is the best choice. The copper shields against the "electro" part, while the steel shields against the "magnetic" part. That is their engineering thinking, but audiophiles may swear it makes a difference, while sceptics may call it a waste.

Copper would act as a much better Faraday shield against EMI than steel due to copper’s diamagnetic property—although truthfully, steel is still pretty good at shielding too. Ever been in a parking garage and have your FM signal or satellite radio drop out? It’s all the rebar embedded in the concrete. But EMI would have to be really bad to have any sort of effect on a CD player’s performance, whether audible or not. So really, copper plating inside audio gear is really just bling. Now, for lab testing equipment, aerospace and avionics applications, and the like, it could definitely be warranted. But for home audio? I think because of the expense, home audio manufacturers quit doing it.

 

[StevenSGT98]

Same. This is why friend bought a Denon 2900 DVD-player. Very robust, proper built quality, felt like a tank

View attachment 508235


I also used to own Denon's PMA2000R, although it looks more dated to my eyes: (2x80w, doubles it in 4 ohm, massive ampere capacity, very heavy unit. I ended up changing it to a more neutral sounding Denon AVR. From what I read they used to have different sound ideals for different teams and products. AVR was shooting for neutrality and the 2 channel amps were targeting the Japanese market, if I remember correctly it's meant to play a bit warm)View attachment 508236

I have 2 of the DVD 2900 in different systems. I think they are good. Is there any measurements on this anywhere?

 

[Scytales]

I have 2 of the DVD 2900 in different systems. I think they are good. Is there any measurements on this anywhere?

In the August 2003 issue of the German magazine Stereoplay, of which you can have a very narrow hint by reading the table I have made and published in this thread.

The German mag Stereo also tested it with measurements in its August 2003 issue.

 

[Bleib]

I have 2 of the DVD 2900 in different systems. I think they are good. Is there any measurements on this anywhere?

Haven't seen, but friend connected to Benchmark DAC1 to Vincent SV-233 amp with XLR and then Monitor Audio Silver floorstanders

 

[StevenSGT98]

In the August 2003 issue of the German magazine Stereoplay, of which you can have a very narrow hint by reading the table I have made and published in this thread.

The German mag Stereo also tested it with measurements in its August 2003 issue.

The link doesn’t seem to be working? Looks like it may be a private ip?

 

[Scytales]

The link doesn’t seem to be working? Looks like it may be a private ip?

Yes. My mistake! Here is the correct link: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...1992-to-2025-ranked-by-thd.47789/post-1712044

 

[StevenSGT98]

Yes. My mistake! Here is the correct link: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...1992-to-2025-ranked-by-thd.47789/post-1712044

It appears to hold up quite well for the era and not too shabby today either. Indeed the Denons with a similar era and build ethos seem to play in the same ballpark.

Thank you for the reference work.

 

[PristineSound]

Excellent review. Where are you getting all of this equipment from for testing? Do you buy them yourself?

 

[NTTY]

Another really great review @NTTY!

Would you by chance have access to a Yamaha CX-1000U preamp to review? I used to own that preamp, and I loved the sound and operation of it. Would be curious to see how it performs.

Keep up the great work, thanks!

I had only one Vintage Yamaha preamp (C-6) and it was a very good performer. I’m not sure I kept relevant measurements for a review, I’ll have a look.

I don’t have access to a CX-1000, unfortunately.

 

[NTTY]

Excellent review. Where are you getting all of this equipment from for testing? Do you buy them yourself?

Thank you!
I buy most, and a few are from friends.