Denon dvd 2900

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I picked up a Denon 2900 at salvation army for $15. It plays regular cd's great but being unfamiliar with SACD was unsure if anything special needs to be setup with the unit to try one out. Thanks for helping out an SACD novice.
McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.

Comments

  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
    edited April 2016
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    Will you be using a 2ch pre or integrated? Or feeding it through an AVR?
    Couple of scenarios for different set ups.
    I used to own one. Solid unit for its age.
    And you STOLE it!! ;)
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
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    Great player - I have often considered one - that is a STEAL for sure!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
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    lightman1 wrote: »
    Will you be using a 2ch pre or integrated? Or feeding it through an AVR?
    Couple of scenarios for different set ups.
    I used to own one. Solid unit for its age.
    And you STOLE it!! ;)

    Yep for $15 I had to snag it, but just kind of assumed there were probably issues with it, to be at S.A. I only have a 2 channel set up, P5, with the cd player to outboard DAC via coax.
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,480
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    You'll need to use the analog connection for SACD or DVD-A playback. Those formats are not output via the digital connections. You should hook that puppy to a TV so you can verify the settings. If you're using it for 2 channel only there are some you might want to change. Make sure it is set to play the DVD-A layer not the DVD-V layer if you'll be spinning some of those.

    Also be aware they are known to have issues with the laser pickups. The one used for SACD is different than the one for Redbook CD, so you might find it has trouble reading one, but not the other.
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
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    Dig it. You could really have fun through the 5.1 outs to an AVR. A lot of SACD have that. Fun to listen to when you're sto....buzz, no.....had a glass of wine.!!!
  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
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    DaveHo wrote: »
    You'll need to use the analog connection for SACD or DVD-A playback. Those formats are not output via the digital connections. You should hook that puppy to a TV so you can verify the settings. If you're using it for 2 channel only there are some you might want to change. Make sure it is set to play the DVD-A layer not the DVD-V layer if you'll be spinning some of those.

    Also be aware they are known to have issues with the laser pickups. The one used for SACD is different than the one for Redbook CD, so you might find it has trouble reading one, but not the other.

    Thanks for the info. I've got a little tv to hook up and go thru the settings. It's worth a shot, if there are issues with the SACD laser, it works well for reg cd's.
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,860
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    SACD is the first function to go out on most universal players, so it may not work. I don't know why that is, but it happens to many of them.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,338
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    My DVD-2910 played SACD and DVD-A just fine but was hit and miss for Red Book. All is good after replacing the pick-up.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
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    SACD is the first function to go out on most universal players, so it may not work. I don't know why that is, but it happens to many of them.

    Does blue ray use the same laser as SACD? Trying to find a used SACD to try out is a **** here in Jax.
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,574
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    SACD is the first function to go out on most universal players, so it may not work. I don't know why that is, but it happens to many of them.
    skrol wrote: »
    My DVD-2910 played SACD and DVD-A just fine but was hit and miss for Red Book. All is good after replacing the pick-up.

    I have to agree with Skrol here on my 4 universal players I had they all stopped playing red book CD's before any of the other medias. drove me nuts.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,574
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    StevieB wrote: »
    SACD is the first function to go out on most universal players, so it may not work. I don't know why that is, but it happens to many of them.

    Does blue ray use the same laser as SACD? Trying to find a used SACD to try out is a **** here in Jax.

    NO!

  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,421
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    My Marantz is fine for redbook and DVDA, but has given up on SACD. Hoping a laser replacement will get me back in business.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,338
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    Could also be alignment of the pickup is out
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • highway_chile
    Options
    A steal indeed. I have a DVD-2200 that I used for CD's until a year or so ago. I recently reconnected it to use for music DVD's that I want to play through my stereo setup rather than my 5.1 system.
    Power Amps: Luxman M-02, Luxman M-2000, Luxman M-300
    Preamps: Luxman CX-100, Luxman C-1010, Luxman C-120A
    Speakers: Polk Audio SDA-2B's (no mods...yet), Klipsch KG4's (Crites Crossovers and Titanium Tweeters), Genesis 1's
    Digital Front End: Marantz CD6005, Denon DVD-2200, Fiio X5 II
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS180, Sennheiser HDR170 w/Fiio E12 Montblanc (home). Sennheiser HD449 w/Fiio E12 Montblanc (portable)
    EQ: SAE 180 Parametric
  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
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    Well the **** thing is hit or miss aggravating and don't think it's worth getting it repaired but sure makes me realize how much I need a new CDP. I've read it on here a thousand times, but sometimes you just have to learn it for yourself, all transports don't sound the same! :#
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    edited May 2016
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    StevieB wrote: »
    I've read it on here a thousand times, but sometimes you just have to learn it for yourself, all transports don't sound the same! :#

    Amen.....we have a word for that, it's called "experience", and you just got yourself some. ;)

    Sorry to hear about it not living up to your needs. Tell ya what, scout out a Pioneer AVI 59 or 79, universal players put have rock solid cd/sacd playback and on the used markets under 150 bucks or so.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
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    skrol wrote: »
    Could also be alignment of the pickup is out

    That was the problem. Watched a youtube video of a guy that changed the laser on a similar denon and he gave some alignment guidelines and poof, been working great.
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,338
    Options
    Excellent!
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,574
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    You have a link I'm interested to check it out.
    Thanks
  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    You have a link I'm interested to check it out.
    Thanks

    He's got 3 videos, I believe he talks about adjusting in the 3rd.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=to8ojRiBOag

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=v-5pBD_szbQ

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=iCFmxN6Vl1I
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
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    I picked up a Lexicon RT10 for SACD playback not long ago. I'm using it for redbook now too. Sounds really freaking good and mine was a steal, in my opinion, for what it's done for my system.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends