Denon DVD-3910

jim 249

Hi All; Found this on CL and am going to look at it tomorrow. Any tips on what to look for would be appreciated. Thanks!:cheesygrin:

http://boise.craigslist.org/ele/2699053254.html

SCompRacer

Uh, make sure it works?:cheesygrin: Quickest thing I can think of is pop in a SACD and DVD to make sure it reads/plays. Most of the failures I've had with SACD players is they fail to read SACD's but will read CD's.

mantis

I got one thats in perfect working order and good shape. If your deal doesn't work out , let me know I'll give mine up as I don't use it anymore.

Mr. Sharpe

Just get it. if it doesn't work well you only paid $150 to buy it, you could spend the same or more to get it fixed and it's a steal in the end.

jim 249

I went to look at this player tonight. It played a DVD, CD and CD-R just fine. When I put in a SACD it starts playing but there is no sound. Also the player starts to hum and you can feel it in the cabinet. The audio was being supplied through the HDMI output to a TV. All the other discs passed the audio through, but not the SACD. I reviewed the manual for my 2910 and could not find anything about it. Will the audio in SACD just play through the digital out and not the HDMI? The hum made me tell the guy I would get in touch later after reviewing the problems. Any ideas? Thanks :sad:

falconcry72

jim 249 wrote: »

Will the audio in SACD just play through the digital out and not the HDMI?

Not positive here, but I'd imagine that the SACD audio will only output through the analog outs or the Denon Link.

jim 249

the SACD audio will only output through the analog outs

I just checked with my 2910 and you are right. No digital output with an SACD. Now the hum problem............ it is only with the SACD playing, none of the other discs will cause it.

Fongolio

It may still do digital output of SACD's through the optical or coaxilal out, just not through HDMI. My Pioneer Elite 79Avi will do SACD's and DVD-Audio's through digital coax and optical but not HDMI. As for the hum, did you try another SACD? You may have just hit on one that's not perfectly balanced. I used to get that on my Denon 3800 quite frequently.

jim 249

You may have just hit on one that's not perfectly balanced

The SACD plays fine on my Denon DVD-2910. Nice and quiet. I would try another but it is the only one I have!

headrott

The only way the 3910 will output SACD is via analog outputs or the "Denon Link". You have to have a Denon Reciever with a "Denon Link" input on it though. Also, it has to be the same "generation" of Denon Link too. I have the 5910. Of course, you could "tap" the DSD signal and install an RJ-45 jack and output to another RJ-45 jack in a DAC. Kinda complicated though, but doable. You would not hear any audio output for SACD via HDMI, you will have to use the analog (RCA) jacks. The hum you hear trying to play a SACD may be a problem with the laser lens trying to read the SACD and not being able to. The player up-spins and fails to read the disc. It should come back with an error code though if it fails to read the disc. The error code would read on the front display though. I just re-read your post and you said it starts playing the disc though. I would try hooking up the analog output to a reciever or pre/amp and you should get some audio with SACD. Hope this helps.

Greg

Fongolio

headrott wrote: »

The only way the 3910 will output SACD is via analog outputs or the "Denon Link". Greg

Not true. This is straight from the 3910 manual,
"2. IEEE 1394 terminal
This terminal can be used for digital transfer of not only DVD video signals, but also DVD audio signals, Super audio CD signals, and other multi-channel audio signals."

pitdogg2

I have a 3910 and it doesn't output any SACD thru HDMI. It will through Firewire1394 and Denon-link and analog ONLY.
My player will also vibrate like it's going to jump off the shelf only while it's reading the disc it doesn't do it while playing SACD. I have never had any problems with it not reading anything. You need to make sure it's Denon link 3rd generation if it's 2nd gen then there're some things it will not do with some SACD and DVD-A's if your only using analog then it will not be a big deal

Fongolio

Keiko wrote: »

Interesting, I didn't think the SACD signal could be transmitted via digital coax or toslink??? I know some of the new players support it via HDMI now, but due to it's architecture, I didn't think coax and/or optical was possible for SACD.

I stand corrected. I just tested and my Pio will play DVD-Audio through coax but NOT SACD.

headrott

Fongolio wrote: »

Not true. This is straight from the 3910 manual,
"2. IEEE 1394 terminal
This terminal can be used for digital transfer of not only DVD video signals, but also DVD audio signals, Super audio CD signals, and other multi-channel audio signals."

Yes, you are correct. I forgot about the IEEE 1394 Terminal. But, it's the same as the "Denon Link" as you need a reciever that will decode the DSD signal sent through this jack. It's exactly the same as the "Denon Link" except a different type of jack.

Greg

mantis

Keiko wrote: »

Interesting, I didn't think the SACD signal could be transmitted via digital coax or toslink??? I know some of the new players support it via HDMI now, but due to it's architecture, I didn't think coax and/or optical was possible for SACD.

It's not , he is incorrect. I owned that player and by spec , Optical and Digital coax does not support SACD. There is no player made that sends SACD or DVD AUDIO out SPDIF or DIGITAL COAX.

mantis

jim 249 wrote: »

I went to look at this player tonight. It played a DVD, CD and CD-R just fine. When I put in a SACD it starts playing but there is no sound. Also the player starts to hum and you can feel it in the cabinet. The audio was being supplied through the HDMI output to a TV. All the other discs passed the audio through, but not the SACD. I reviewed the manual for my 2910 and could not find anything about it. Will the audio in SACD just play through the digital out and not the HDMI? The hum made me tell the guy I would get in touch later after reviewing the problems. Any ideas? Thanks :sad:

I own the DVD3910 and it does not pass SACD or DVD AUDIO over HDMI which sucks **** but's it's an older player and you have to use the analog out or Denon link as said by others , this is true.
Also the HDMI out sucks **** as well. Mine works sometimes when it feels like it. I don't see any video improvement with this player over HDMI as it's component out looks as good and depending on the other end better.
I have been running mine and it's a very good sounding player, very warm and clean. Built like a tank as todays players are no where near built this well. I makes me miss the older gear. Everything today seems use and throw it away.
I took it out of retirement to listen to the LSIM703's with different sources.

dpowell

I've had both a DVD 3800 and 3910 and after hearing other players am not a big fan of Denon. The picture quality was excellent but Denon players can be extremely finicky when it comes to reading discs. Both of mine were. Minor scratches can throw them for a loop. Both of my players had the laser transports replaced after they began failing to read any discs or skipping to the point where music could not be listened to. After hosting a polkie GTG and hearing other players, it became clear that the Denon was the weak link in my system. the 3910 was replaced very quickly after that gathering. IMO, stay away from it used.

Fongolio

edit

Fongolio

mantis wrote: »

It's not , he is incorrect. I owned that player and by spec , Optical and Digital coax does not support SACD. There is no player made that sends SACD or DVD AUDIO out SPDIF or DIGITAL COAX.

SACD no. DVD-Audio yes. I have a stack of DVD-Audio's that play perfectly in my Pio Elite with the only ouput being coax digital. I'm not talking standard cd layers but the high resolution layer coax to my DAC to my amp. I must have the golden player!!! Only one made. EVER! Yay!!!

jim 249

the 3910 was replaced very quickly after that gathering. IMO, stay away from it used.

I kind of have the same feeling. I bought a used 2910 off audiogon and when I tried to use it, it would sometimes not read a disc. It was finicky as all heck. It was returned for a full refund. Now this experience with the 3910. You replaced yours with what player? Any suggestions you have for a good sounding player would be appreciated! Thanks

polkatese

I learned my mistake with Denon DVD-3800 which was THE reference player in 2002/03. Denon's optical and drawer block was and continue to be its biggest failure point.

What's your budget, Jim?

jim 249

What's your budget, Jim?

My system consists of a Sansui G-8000 with the preamp decoupled running into a Nakamichi PA5-II power amp to a pair of Carver ALIII's. It is good equipment, not near top of the line. I am looking at the Marantz CD5004 and also the TEAC H660 player. Prices range from $350 to $700. I would also consider used players. Thanks

dpowell

I replace mine with a Marantz SA-15S2 SACD player and love the sound. A bit pricey unless you find a deal on the forum.....I've also heard Pioneer Elite and Cambridge Audio. You could also look at one of the modded Oppo players if you are looking for SACD playback and also want video playback. Those players will play just about anything. The build quality on the Marantz is similar to the Denon. Heavy and well built but I am limited to just audio.


....one other thing, my Marantz has NEVER once complained about any of the discs I give it and those are the same ones the Denon wouldn't play.

polkatese

Here is one Jim:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1324835443&/Oppo-BDP-83-EVS-modified

Any modded 83 would be a good bargain, used. If you can find Modwright modded 83 in your budget range, it would be a steal.

Mr. Sharpe

I got mine used. All my Cd's play on it new and previously used. I love the player and will probably never change unless something goes badly wrong with it. I am using it for music and I was very surprised the quality sound it produces and am very happy.

dpowell

Mr. Sharpe,
I felt exactly the same way about mine until I heard some other players on my system. If you get the chance to demo some other players in your system, give em' a shot. If you end up liking the Denon best then that is great because it's all about what sounds good to you.

Mr. Sharpe

Oh crap, I meant to say I got it new lol.

But I've also played my son's "the incredibles" on the 3910 and it's got a lot of visible scratches on it and it played great. I thought about getting an Oknyo Cd player just to match my receiver but some of the reviews pushed me away, one 3-star in particular he had three different players.

Which players have you tried?

jimbojones

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jimbojones

mantis wrote: »

I got one thats in perfect working order and good shape. If your deal doesn't work out , let me know I'll give mine up as I don't use it anymore.

I have been trying to get my hands on a 3910 for 6 months now. Even bought one on ebay that would only play cds so that had to go. Is yours still available?

jimbojones

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Upstatemax

SCompRacer wrote: »

Uh, make sure it works?:cheesygrin: Quickest thing I can think of is pop in a SACD and DVD to make sure it reads/plays. Most of the failures I've had with SACD players is they fail to read SACD's but will read CD's.

Lol, I have the exact opposite problem with my Marantz DV-7600... It will play DVD and SACD perfectly fine, but with a CD I might get 5-6 minutes before it just starts skipping and stopping outright (if it starts to play at all).