Denon DVD-2910 as CD player?

joecoulson · July 2018

I would like some feedback please. Is this a decent CD transport? When I purchased it used (10 years ago +) it was communicated as such and I enjoy the fact it is built well and has nice controls. But it is a DVD player? Considering most midfi CD players would run me $1k+, would I see any benefit to replace this with something used for around $500 or less?
Thank You all

pitdogg2 · July 2018

I've used the 2900 and 3910 and been very happy.

cfrizz · July 2018

Have you played cd's in it, how do they sound to you? If they sound fine to you, then you have your answer, trust your own ears.

I have both a Oppo and a Rotel 1072 CD player. Is there a difference in the playback? yes, but it is so marginal, that if my Rotel broke, I wouldn't go rushing out to replace it.

A well made piece of gear is a well made piece of gear.

joecoulson · July 2018

I guess that was my question, was it well-made like it was presented to me. Yes cd’s sound great but It’s the DAC that makes the most difference correct? I switch between the on board Burr Brown’s and the one’s on my Marantz receiver, Cirrus logic I believe, but can’t tell a diff. I wonder if they are similar.

MrBuhl · July 2018

I think that generally speaking - that 2910 is considered a punches above it's price point CD player and a very good one. There is always something better, but given the system, room, and individual hearing, I'm not sure you can always hear the difference.

mantis · July 2018

I had the 3910 and it was fantastic at all disc jobs.

Conradicles · July 2018

I had a 2910, great unit. I like the HDCD feature.

cfrizz · July 2018

joecoulson wrote: »

Yes cd’s sound great... but can’t tell a diff.

You have once again answered your own question. STOP obsessing about the gear, and start enjoy the music/movies!

joecoulson · July 2018

cfrizz wrote: »

joecoulson wrote: »

Yes cd’s sound great... but can’t tell a diff.

You have once again answered your own question. STOP obsessing about the gear, and start enjoy the music/movies!

Sometimes the chase is as good as the catch though right?

headrott · July 2018

I own a 5910 and it is good as a transport (I tapped the DSD pre-output and hooked the taps onto an RJ-45 jack to send the DSD signal to a self-built DAC). Also, the DACs in the 5910 are excellent. I am sure the 2910 will be good, but there are always better options out there. It depends on how much "scratch" you wanna spend.

Viking64 · July 2018

joecoulson wrote: »

Sometimes the chase is as good as the catch though right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3RzlpmkNxo

mhardy6647 · July 2018

I use some Denon DVD player (dump find) as my CD transport

It works very well -- by which I mean it sounds better, to me, than my ol' Marantz, when comparing the two feeding the same DAC (which I really cannot rationalize, by the way, but that's another subject entirely!).

I forget which model it is -- but it's not "high end". The price was right, though.

Looks like it sez "DVD-1730"

I actually ended up buying a proper original Denon remote for it on eBAY. For some reason, when CD or DVD players pass through the space-time continuum from their purchasers to the swap pile at the town 'transfer station', quantum intereference effects cause the dematerialization of the remote controls. I suspect that they join the socks that are similarly transmuted when put into the dryer, perhaps reappearing on a steppe somewhere in Kazakhstan.

Emlyn · July 2018

The Denon DVD players were often chosen to be modified by upgraders like Modwright. So, yes they are excellent transports and very well built solid platforms. Remember that 3910 model was around $1K when it was new on the market. Personally, I found when used as CD players for two channel analog output into a dedicated two channel system they sounded a bit harsh and tinny. If using one with a modern receiver by Marantz, I'd just rely on the receiver to handle everything digitally and enjoy the tunes. Spending $1K on a new dedicated CD player while still running it through a receiver, even via analog, isn't going to make much of a difference.

dromunds · July 2018

I've had both the 2910 and the 3910 and they both sounded excellent. The only issue was the CD tray would stick if not used enough but then worked well after put back into use for awhile. The sound was amazingly good for the price. I think I paid $125 for the 3910 and less for the 2910 but my memory is fuzzy on the prices. They punched WAY beyond their price point for sure.

skrol · July 2018

I have the 2910 and really like it. I had an Oppo 980h universal player that I had in the system with hopes to mod the 2910 but then the power supply failed in the Oppo and I put the 2910 back in the system. I did have to replace the laser pickup in the 2910, which seems to be a weak point of the Denons in that generation. I also have a Denon DBP-1611UD and Marantz UD5005, which are identical internally and also universal players. For 2ch, they just don't stand up to the 2910.