Denon DVD 3910 v Rotel 855

anton.chigurh
anton.chigurh Posts: 239
edited February 2012 in Electronics
I'm considering a move from my dedicated cdp to a good entry level ($200-250) universal player for SACD & DVD-A capabilities.

How would a Denon DVD-3910 stack up vs a dedicated Rotel RCD 855 with regards to Redbook cd playback?
I don't think I want to sacrifice a lot to play an occassional sacd or dvd-a.

It could die tomorrow, but the Rotel still plays flawlessly and sounds great despite it's age (25yrs?).

Any thoughts? Thanks.
Post edited by anton.chigurh on
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Comments

  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2012
    You gonna use an external DAC? If so, there won't be much difference for redbook playback. If you're going to use it as a full-on player, I don't have experience with the Rotel, but I have a 3910, and I think it's really great for the price on the used market.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited February 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    You gonna use an external DAC?
    No external DAC. At least for while.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,453
    edited February 2012
    nothing wrong with that 3910 one sweet machine. Have one use it on my HT and for SCAD/DVD-A multi-channel.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2012
    I agree about the Denon, very good at that price. But has "anyone" here heard the Rotel? I know I haven't.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2012
    I had a RCD-855 for 18 years that got almost daily use before it died. I now have the RCD-1072, which is the only player that reviewers said was a worthy replacement of the 855. Both sound great, I have listened to both and compared them with my Pioneer universal player, and the Rotels sound a bit better than the Pioneer.

    I'd say keep the Rotel til it bites the dust then replace it.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited February 2012
    I have a modified Rotel RCD-855. The op-amp output stage has been changed to two tubes. It's the sweetest sounding cdp I've heard short of $10000 and up machines. The 855's strengths were in its CDM 4/19 swing arm style laser unit and use of the TD1541A Dac which even though 20 years old is still recognized as one of the best DAC chips of all time. A local tech I know performed the mod and the work is better than factory and made this unit sound seductively warm and analog like. He also has a clock mod that I'm going to get him to perform that takes it to an even higher level.

    If you have the SACD and DVD-A bug a 3910 will satisfy the craving and sound very good but I'd keep the Rotel for cd use. I have Denon 2910 (purchased on this forum a couple months ago) and it sounds great for SACD and DVD-A and I know the 3910 sounds even better.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,354
    edited February 2012
    Haven't heard that old Rotel, but I own a Denon 3910 and really love the way it sounds. I use it for 2 ch. Sinatra sounds like he's singing right here in the house when I close my eyes, a Pipe is organ is amazing if you like that. All I use it for is Cd's.

    I wanted a 3930 to use for music in my home theater setup but will probably get something else.
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited February 2012
    Can the 3910 be used for SACD or DVD-A without being hooked up to a tv or monitor? Some players have onscreen menus that make them difficult to use without a tv.

    Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,354
    edited February 2012
    I have not used either. it does have a button that says "SA-Cd setup" so I'm sure you have to be connected to a TV to at least set it up. I don't know about DVD-a's. You may want to download the manual off Denon's site and read it some. I took a while to figure out how to turn the HDMI/DVI out off, then had to get it out of progressive mode. It may be the same for those two formats you asked about.

    But since you may only have use the menu's to set it up you can probably unhook it when done I would think.
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited February 2012
    My 2910 can be used without a TV. It's easier to use with a TV but the display on the unit will show most functions. The 3910 is similar.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited February 2012
    Thanks for the info guys. Helpful.
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,354
    edited February 2012
    Didn't know that. Glad someone has used one of the big denon's like this.
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,453
    edited February 2012
    it is much much easier to get all set up with a monitor then put it in the system. The only downfall is that on some DVD-Audio's you need to see the DVD menu to get it to go cause some will ask questions. like 2ch or multi ch. and sometimes you can just keep hitting play and it will take off. In the last screen on the monitor you need to keep it in Audio not video or it will default to DD for your DVD-Audio's and not the hi-rez codac.
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