Denon DCM-390 5 Disc CD Carousel w/ Built in HDCD Decoding Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The higher bit digital-to-analog conversion and the propriatory Denon signal processing really work here. The sound is bold, clear and natural at the same time. This device made me start to enjoy my collection of classical music CDs, as well as music in other genres. It revealed the potential o my AKG-240 monitor-class headphones as well. I recommend this player as a base for your future audiosystem if you want to upgrade from a general $200 stereo system. The good news is you don't need to spend a lot right away for other components to start enjoying the upgrade: believe it or not but simple plugging of this player to your existing system as an external signal source will make a noticeable difference! Yes, technically speaking, your $200 all-in-one system may have one or two orders of magnitude more harmonic distortions and you probably think it will ruine all the advantages of the clear signal from this player? Not at all! The right low-level signal processing will be immediately noticeable as much more clear sound with extended frequency range. And if you use the hi-end headphones (as my AKG mentioned above), the audiophile-class system will be already complete. I also added a $240 headphone amplifier from Xenos Audio Systems as a final touch. Also, if you think your demands for the audio quality does not fit into the modern MP3 world, this player is the answer: I never heard such fine MP3 conversion! So, if your music exists as MP3 files originally, DO NOT convert them on your computer! Burn a disc with MP3s and let this device reveal the full potential of your audio files. You will be surprised by the sound quality. The downside of this is inability of this player to browse file folders, so prepare to spend some time rearranging MP3 files to have all of them in the root folder of the disc, however your ears will thank you for the trouble.

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Product Description:
Enjoy continuous play from your CD collection as well as CD-R/RWs burned with MP3 and WMA files with the Denon DCM-390 5-disc CD changer. It also provides encoding for HDCDs, the newest audio playback format that provides pristine sound reproduction. The carousel changer's play exchange feature lets you swap up to 4 discs while a fifth is playing, and you'll only hear the music, thanks to Denon's quiet changer mechanism.
The DCM-390 features a Multilevel Noise Shaping DAC, which removes the adverse effects of jitter and, because it is built into the output amp, provides a clean analog output with suppressed high-frequency interference can be directly obtained. The 8x oversampling digital filter makes possible an extraordinary degree of attenuation and reduces frequency irregularities in the audio range to an absolute minimum.
Ensuring top-flight sound regardless of the source disc, the DCM-390 features a multilevel noise-shaping digital-to-analog converter. Multilevel modulation removes the adverse effects of jitter. And because the feature is built into the player's output amp, the player directly obtains a clean analog output with suppressed high-frequency interference.
You can customize a song sequence with 32-track programming, which lets you create a a custom music mix from the remote control. Program any combination of tracks from the 5 discs. Three-mode random playback includes full random, program random, and disc sequential random modes. The display shows total remaining time on the disc, elapsed track time, and remaining track time. Four-mode repeat play loops 1 track, 1 disc, all 5 discs, or a programmed sequence.
When this changer is connected to an amplifier or receiver that supports the Remote Control IN/OUT feature, you can operate the DCM-390 via the remote sensor on the amplifier or receiver, which is handy for controlling the player from another room. It offers the both coaxial and optical digital audio outputs, a headphone jack on the front of the unit, and RS-232C terminal.
Tech Talk
The HDCD (High Density Compatible Digital) audio CD format is encoded with 20 bits of information instead of the 16 bits found on standard CDs. A player or receiver with an HDCD decoder chip is required to achieve the true sound of an HDCD disc, but it can be played on a standard CD or DVD player (minus the enhancement). Additionally, because an HDCD decoder chip includes a high-precision digital filter, HDCD-equipped players help to improve audio quality for even traditionally recorded CDs and DVDs.
What's in the Box
5-disc CD changer, remote control (with batteries), printed operating instructions