Denon 2900, SACD, and Signal Cable Analog 2

Dr. Spec

Well, I am now SACD and DVD-A capable, having finally gotten my six Signal Cable Analog 2 interconnects installed between the 2900 and the 3803.

For those of you following any 2900 threads on other forums, I had ZERO bass management or bass output problems during calibration. I ended up running the sub channel 2 dB hot for music.

I also activated a feature on the 2900 to retain the subwoofer and an 80 Hz crossover on regular 2 channel CDs and this works perfectly also.

Since I can retain the sub for all music formats, I will probably do all my music listening through the 2900 and the Signal Cable Analog 2's, and leave the Monster digital coax just for DD and DTS movies.

On the 3803, I can instantly toggle between the Signal Cable Analog 2's and the Monster digital coax. While the Analog 2's are not nearly burned in yet, they have noticeably different sound than the Monster coax.

The midrange is more laid back than the Monster, but very smooth and natural, making violins, wood instruments, and brass sound just beautiful. Sound stage solidity and imaging is a bit better than the Monster coax. With the SC A2's in the loop, pin-pointing specific sounds is easier and details are clearer. The Monster coax has a bit less detail and wanders slightly in comparison.

I found my first SACD experience to be pretty much what I expected. Billy Joel The Stranger was my debut. Compared to regular CD, detail is much better, treble is more airy and "analog-like", vocals are much easier to follow, the sound stage in multi-channel is remarkably large and open, and they dynamic range is exceptional. I could even hear the tape hiss from the Original Master recording at higher playback volumes.

Overall, a pleasant experience thus far with the 2900 and the Signal Cable Analog 2's for both regular CD and SACD music. I'll be picking up some DVD-A today also (the new Steely Dan, and Eagles Hell Freezes Over).

For anyone considering an "all in one" machine, the 2900 smokes. It is SACD and DVD-A capable, it has excellent bass management features, and it has those fabulous high-grade Burr-Brown DACs and simply sounds awesome in analog output mode. For DVD-V, the picture quality is unsurpassed with the Silicon Images decoding engine. This is one very exceptional player which has been flawless thus far in all operating modes.

Doc

polkatese

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
For those of you following any 2900 threads on other forums, I had ZERO bass management or bass output problems during calibration. I ended up running the sub channel 2 dB hot for music.

I also activated a feature on the 2900 to retain the subwoofer and an 80 Hz crossover on regular 2 channel CDs and this works perfectly also.

Since I can retain the sub for all music formats, I will probably do all my music listening through the 2900 and the Signal Cable Analog 2's, and leave the Monster digital coax just for DD and DTS movies.

The midrange is more laid back than the Monster, but very smooth and natural, making violins, wood instruments, and brass sound just beautiful. Sound stage solidity and imaging is a bit better than the Monster coax. With the SC A2's in the loop, pin-pointing specific sounds is easier and details are clearer. The Monster coax has a bit less detail and wanders slightly in comparison.

Overall, a pleasant experience thus far with the 2900 and the Signal Cable Analog 2's for both regular CD and SACD music. I'll be picking up some DVD-A today also (the new Steely Dan, and Eagles Hell Freezes Over).
Doc

Doc,
great review! you're up for a treat, SCA2 will get *noticeably* better once broke in. That's exactly what I did, all music, including DVD-A/SACD and 2channels are strictly in the analog space. It really expose the strength of SCA2.

Eagles' HFO is very good on DVD-A, although it's not nearly as good as SD-EMG...it doesn't gives me the same experience as listening to EMG, in which I kept sayin' Damn, Damn, Damn!

Congrats on D2900, one piece of fine player!

polkatese

Doc,
one more thing, on SACD, may I recommend PF-"Dark Side of The Moon", and Monty Alexander-"My America" Both extensively take advantage of multichannels, awesome recordings!

Dr. Spec

Thanks for the tips. I was looking hard at DSOTM and I'll pick it up. And Steely Dan is a given.

Doc

Frank Z

Originally posted by polkatese
Eagles' HFO is very good on DVD-A,

Actually HFO is not DVD-a, but is a DTS-DVD.

Congrats on the new gear.

Got a couple of recommendations for ya.
Fleetwood Mac-Rumors and their new release Say You Will (both are DVD-A)
Steely Dan - Gaucho (DTS)
Donald Fagan - The Night Fly
Eagles - Hotel California (DVD-A)
The Count Meets The Duke (Duke Ellington & Count Basie, SACD)
Yes - Fragile (DVD-A)
Mark Levinson - Live Recordings at Red Rose Music (SACD, This is a GREAT SACD DEMO)
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (SACD) This one will blow you away!

polkatese

oops, you're right! HFO is indeed DTS...Mark Levinson SACD, I am not familiar with this one, what kind of music is this, Frank?

Frank Z

Polkatese,
The recordings were made at Mark Levinsons music store in NY using Sony DSD equipment. When his customers heard the recordings in the store they thought that some one was actually playing/singing in the back of the store. Some of the cuts are somewhat familiar, others are lesser known (old) jazz/blues cuts. There is a track that he made with his mother in law, where she simply recites the 23rd psalm and he accompanies her on a Japanese Temple Bell. Not head banging, heathen devil worshiping rock-n-roll, but a very good demo for an SACD newbie! "Big Legged Women" always gets a smile, and "Hard Times" is a great example of how powerfull a statement music can be, with the right voice.

Here's a link to give you some more background info.

http://www.soundstage.com/music/reviews/rev317.htm

goingganzo

dr spec did you opt for the bullets? i did on my sigonal cabble 2. but i was expecting a thicker cable. but the cable was very heavy and the finish and detail was exelent. they are very rigid. my next step will be in upgradeing my other cables i am useing. to bad i dont get to show off the cables they look so nice.

Dr. Spec

Frank:

Thanks for the recommendations. You are right, Eagles HFO is DTS 5.1 - my mistake.

Question - I have to play the DTS titles through the digital coax and the 3803 to use the DTS decoder, right?

Gonzo, no I didn't opt for the bullet connectors. What is the benefit of them? Yes, they are well built and rigid. You have to orient them first before you attach them so they don't bend the wrong way.

Doc

goingganzo

here is a link to a info page about bullet plugs.
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/bettercablesdotcom/bulletplug.html

it is on the better cables web page

Frank Z

Originally posted by Dr. Spec

Question - I have to play the DTS titles through the digital coax and the 3803 to use the DTS decoder, right?

You should be able to use the on board DTS decoder in the 2900 and pass the proccessed signal to the receiver via the multi-channel inputs on the 3802. I can do it on my Pioneer receiver and DVD player, so I'm fairly certain you can do the same with your gear.

polkatese

Frank,
thanks for the info....

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by Frank Z
You should be able to use the on board DTS decoder in the 2900 and pass the proccessed signal to the receiver via the multi-channel inputs on the 3802. I can do it on my Pioneer receiver and DVD player, so I'm fairly certain you can do the same with your gear.

Thanks, Frank - I'll give it a try.

Doc