Many people are selling their whole CD collection at the moment. Here in Germany we have an online shop for used media. A CD usually costs about 1$. So I can buy 10 CDs for the cost of one month streaming and the music is mine. Awsome!
Now is a great time to get a lot of music cheaply. There are a lot of inexpensive compilations and box set coming out that sell for a couple dollars per disc
I love physical media. There was an Alan Parsons CD that was only released in Germany, and perhaps a few countries due to copyright dispute with Eric Wolfson. It was not released in the U.S. It was called Fruediana. I don't think you will find it on any steaming service either, perhaps, but I doubt it. I have a copy and love it .
@@jeffmpvd7689 or they only get released on vinyl. a lot of my favorite artists albums like wet, muna st lucia, broods james arthur, king princess never had their albums released on cd just vinyl and some of these artists have cd but they aren't available in the us so you have pay $20 to $30 for a import copy which is way too much for a standard cd. all albums should get a cd release but i guess columbia records which most of these artists are signed to don't want to release cd because they don't think the cd will sell very well. i will buy cds as long as they are still being made. i get the appeal of vinyl but i like cd better than vinyl as they are more portable and cost less.
I’ve just given up on Roon and streaming and gone back to CDs. Absolutely loving them and about to order 90 and would love a new CD player. That’s me for life. Tried all the other ways and gone back to something I love, no computers or tablets, no distractions, always works, simple and can find a track within seconds of pulling CD off the shelf.
I bought a Marantz CD 6006 two weeks ago and it's been a delightful pleasure to hear all detail that was hidden in the CDs I've been buying in the last 30 years. And twice a month I go to flea markets and buy great CDs for 1 or 2 euros a piece.
My first CD player was (is) a Denon DCD-1520, purchased in 1988. I still use it on my "upstairs" system. It only had one mechanical problem with the drawer motor many years ago. Denon issued an optional EC for a customer cost of about $50.00. Still a very reliable and nice sounding unit for its age.
I decided to upgrade my 1980s home stereo, and on the advice of Steve and others decided to buy the Denon DCD-600N and a Schiit Modi 3 DAC. A DAC is new territory for me. So much for the value of research! The Denon's direct analog output sounds somewhat better than when using a Schiit DAC.
Now there is a difference between buying a record with an artist who lives or buying a record with Beethoven. if the artist is alive then he is probably in contact with a record company and maybe therefore only available to buy from that record company.
Thanks Steve! My 1986 DCD 1500 recently decided it wouldn’t play a few of my CDs. Took it apart, cleaned as best I could and the issue continues. I bought a DCD-600NE 2 weeks ago. Much better sound, as one might expect. Anyway, your comments about the simplicity of this unit caught my ear. It has the optical out, so I might try an outboard DAC...The remote is enormous !
I have this stacked on the compatible Denon PMA 600NE receiver amp and together they give you a piece of music heaven. They handled every bookshelf speaker I've thrown at them and handled them like a boss...
I bought a Onkyo C-7030 and I love it. Had been using an Samsung Blu ray player for the past several years but decided it was a worthwhile investment to go back to a dedicated CD player for my over 1k and still growing CD collection.
There is no doubt how good the Denon CD players are. I still have and use weekly, my Denon DCD-1500 I bought back in the1980’s and it still works flawlessly, and sounds great. A stereo magazine review of this unit back then stated, “The creators of the DCD-1500 should be honored in public!” I still agree. I need to replace the “newer” Phillips CD changer in another home system, and have decided to let my wife get me the Onkyo DXC 390, 6 disc changer for Christmas.
Steve, essentially the only thing you say about the performance of this Denon CD player is that "it is very functional, it is very basic" and "it is a "fine place to start." This could be said about almost any budget CD player. I guess I am wondering why you chose this piece of gear to review when you had so little to say about it.
Unfortunately, this is a common theme in his videos. They often tend to be vague and lacking in detail. And you're right..."functional"..."basic"..."fine place to start" -- that could be said about ANY CD player. "When you hit PLAY, it plays"..."when you hit STOP, it stops". Yeah...got it. How about details about the sound quality, the functionality, how the whole "pure direct" thing works. I understand that when "pure direct" is selected, it deactivates the digital outputs and the display. However, when I disengage "pure direct", I still don't see the display on the CD player. This is stuff people need to know.
I learn about gear that is out there from YT. I choose my price point and make an investment decision only after attempting to audition the equipment I am choosing. The Big Problem is finding dealers who carry the gear I want to hear. Not for nothing, I lean heavily toward legacy gear not only for bang for the buck but b/c I have heard this or that audio product once before over the years. So, I confess most YT reviews are of little informational value for me. Ditto for print reviews. Most. Some speak to my listening preferences - I like big, clearly define sound stages that make me feel I’m in a concert hall or an opera house sitting in high priced orchestra seats at eye level with the performers. Then, I am inclined to listen up and take note. Doesn’t stop me from listening to or reading reviews. It just there is little informational value in them. I guess I’m afraid of missing out on something in the market. That keeps me listening... :)
Bought mine from Goodwill with remote for 10 bucks and probably sounds as good as the Denon. If you see a CD player at Goodwill with a remote taped to it the previous owner is probably trying to tell you it's a working one.
It's an easy choice nowadays. Around $4 on average for good used CD titles, or $30 or more for new vinyl, or $25 for overpriced used vinyl, both of which (new and used) can be full of pops and clicks. Or you can rent air (streaming).
I'm using a Luxman D404 is still going strong only thing I replaced was a $2 belt. Steve, that shirt tops your best. When I think you can't out do it you come along with this one. Cheers
@@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 Yes, my absolute favourite CD is a HDCD. Mike Oldfields Amarok in HDCD-version. Sounds MARVELOUS both musically and the soundquality!!
I’m with you, though I like LPs, too. I’m way too lazy to stream, rip or have to go through my iPhone just to play an album. I love simply inserting the disc and not having to do anything else. Don’t even have to hit ‘PLAY’! So no files, volumes, directories or formats for me.
Thanks, Steve. Although I’ve always been a vinyl guy, I still own aprox 300-400 CD’s, but thousands of records. That Denon looks like a cool player though, cuz I’m not too sure how much longer my JVC CD player from ‘91 is gonna work. Totally off topic, I never mention your shirts cuz it’s got nothing to do with audio or what you’re talking about, but that one is absolutely beautiful! Wow, man! Thanks for all your work, Steve! 🎶🔊🙂
CD still is my favourite music format, including the DVD-Audio. I have 4 different CD players, each one with different DAC chips. The first I've bought with 16 years old was a Technics SL-PG 520 CD Player (bitstream) that I haven´t changed for two decades. Since 4 years ago, I've beeing colecting some of the best multibit DAC's equipping CD players. I have an upgraded (simplified signal path) Marantz CD40 with the excelent TDA1541A chip, wich equips some of the best ladder DAC's avaiable today. I also have a Primare CD31 with the other famous and excelent multibit DAC, the BB1704-K (2 per channel). My last purchase was a Arcam CD23T with another excelent DAC (a ring DAC, developed with dCS) that can also decode HDCD (that sound excelent, by the way). Perhaps in another of your videos you could explore some other formats of CD playback (HDCD, XRCD or SHM-CD).
The old Technics players are great, I own a SL-PG 540A. I think it's the MASH chip combined with the Philips transport. Sounds very involving and spacious for such an old piece of technology.
Overall I do think that the multibit DACs sound more natural and respect and unveil more details than the bitstream ones that came after (and were more cheap to produce). At the moment I am using more expensive but excelent external DAC (Weiss 202), that is more accurate and superlative in sounstage/silence and detail than the ones I have mentioned. I always have the option to swich between the players ☺
@@mikec6617 , NAD always made very good products regarding the price tag. I still prefer the amps to the NAD digital sources. I've never heard the CD player you mentioned but it seems a good starting point.
Why don't you ever show us video of the actual equipment? It would be nice to see it in operation. Do you actually test it at home or do you recomend it based on specs?
I still like buying the odd CD and have a big collection from the 80's and 90's. Using an OPPO dvd/cd player at the moment, but still have my first CD player. It was one of Sony's first consumer players, the CDP-302 which I paid $699 Cnd for back in the mid 80's!
I love the sound of CDs I just have one problem with the format, one problem.... I hate when a cd comes in a plastic case. They look terrible, they break easily and they get scratched a lot. When a cd comes in a paper/cardboard or whatever case it is simply an amazing format to have your music. I recently got a bit fed up with being online all the time and returned to CDs and I must say it sounds better than your usual Spotify music.
I’m getting back into CDs myself after acquiring quality equipment. When you A/B them to Spotify, there is definitely things missing in bass and soundstage with Spotify’s compression. Qobuz and Tidal can compete somewhat but their UI is god awful. I use Spotify for general listening and discovery now and seek out the CD for the truly great albums I want to own.
hi this is my first cd player and im also using the Denon amp too. cant wait to set it up. still need to find the right speakers for the room. thank you for the video
Music distribution corporations have a vested interest in trying to get rid of CD's. The same thing happened with video gaming. With CD or Vinyl you own your product for as long as it lasts and CD's last pretty much forever. Streaming services require an on going fee which will cost more and more as time goes on. When you create a copy of "your" music from a streaming service you may think you own it but due to security and copyright rules they can change the access codes at any time and you will not be able to play your music. When I started game playing in the 1990's you could buy your game dvd and play it without having to go to any other source for approval. For "security" reason they changed how you could buy their product by creating a gaming platform. From that point on you could never play current games without first accessing the gaming platform and your game dvd would not work without first getting on the platform. If you must have access to the internet to play your music or games you don't own it and will always be paying fees to keep it. I own CD's and stream but CD's and Vinyl are the only guaranteed way to own your music.
You can always copy to an Outboard CD recorder than rip that CD to your player. Main take away is to get the record the streaming media on any analog format. There are quality ways of doing this.
Flash forward to February 2022 and this Denon is still available, but for $429. The remote has not changed, if the pics on Amazon are accurate. Because of "supply chain issues", there are not many options for reasonably priced CD players. But there are many good DACS out there, so using this as a transport is an option, but I wish it had Coaxial digital output. There seems to be a resurgence of interest in CDs, so the $1 used discs are not as common, as they have been picked over and are more in demand. And High quality streaming has just gotten better and better. $40-$50 LPs have dampened the enthusiasm of Vinyl Heads. What goes around...etc.
I just started getting back into CDs too, I live in the Midwest so thankfully you can still find cheap CDs here with less coastal hipsters to compete with. But vinyl is overpriced, every old boomer with scratched up records and ratty dust jackets thinks they deserve $12-$20 a piece at my local garage sales or flea markets, nuts to that.
Love my CD player, which really saw a lot (over my TT) of use when my kids were little. Less worries if someone bumps something, jumps up and down and you can throw in whatever they like as well. Got a nice deal on a Roksan Kandy K2 30 euro more (330) than this Denon for IMO a much higher quality bit of gear.
Yup, still have plenty of CDs here as well and still buy them (not to mention record to them as well on occasion). I don't have 3000 CDs, but I am very near 1000. I am particular about what I purchase on CD format (never classic rock and the like, but newish music, especially electronic or ambient and classical as well as jazz are good enough for me on CD. Plus there are some special made CDs as well. Anyway, I did not know Denon was still putting out CD players these days. Another good suggestion is Marantz, they have the CD5005 at $399 MSRP, which means $299 on the store shelf or make that, Amazon as stores are dying thanks to the wretched internet. There is also the CD6006 for $100 which just offers USB playback if you want to pay $100 more for that. While Marantz and Denon are part of the same parent company and likely made in the same factory, the Marantz CD players do have an edge on the Denons. For one, they are surprisingly heavy due to a big ol' tordial transformer in them with a power cord to match. They offer a tiny bit more connectivity in back, but unfortunately, they share the exact "drive you crazy" remote. Still, a very solid player.
Cd is awesome very hassle free if you dont scratch em. In a way i like all formats to me Every format has its pros and cons and charm. Its about having a good player and a good edition master of the release. If you have a great cd player it Will Trump a macbooks dac. I like physical format it just feels more special and engaging. Streaming is Also great sound I love Tidal. Since I have Add i love music files in high res and vinyl rips cuz then i can not break anything😂. I have a hard time taking care of myself and records but I have gotten better at taking care of my vinyl nowadays as well as my health lately. Its all good! Rant end. I know its about cd players I have ADD.
They can have my Technics SL-P350... when they pry it from my dead fingers, CD is and always will be my favourite format and that player is absolutely astoundingly good for considering it's 31 years old!
I still have my original Technics SL-P500 that is great but they won't play CD-R's. I've got a couple SONY players that play anything you throw at them!
Cool shirt Steve good review of the Denon. How would you say it compares with the Cambridge cd player? Also really looking forward to your review of the Cornwall IV
I have over 3000 cds. I have a jazz, pop/rock, and classical section in alphabetical order. I usually play them 5 at a time on a carousel mid-fi Yamaha cd player. I like choosing 5 similar or disparate titles and let one lead the way to the next. Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson Orange Crate Art to Tom Petty She's the One to Paul McCartney Run Devil Run to Bob Dylan Down in the Groove to Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs Under the Covers. It makes for a different interesting journey each time. I don't want to cherry pick favorites. I believe a fair to great deal of thought went into each cd and like to listen to what they have to say which varies as the years go by, depending on my moods, condition, and circumstances. I find that most give me Strength for the Journey. I work out to them. I listen to them. I dance to them. I clean and put away to them. I putter to them. I party to them. I enjoy them! I basically assume Steve is saying the sound is good in this unit as it is in most mid-fi players. I believe we may see the end of cd's in our lifetime. Many are out of print now. The suits want everybody streaming and leasing the music. No more physical copies, see, Rocky? Yeah, that's how you corner the market, see? We'll make 'em pay for it, forever, see? Nobody owns nothing anymore, see? Only we own it. If they want to listen, they got to go thru us, see? And maybe we'll get rid of all those cd players they play'em on too, see? Yeah. Maybe that's how we'll do it. Nobody gets to listen to music lest I say so. And we'll see how they like them apples.--Edward G. Robinson Records.
You had me at Van Dyke Parks. I'm more of a burn favorite tracks with a cd burner guy than a carousel rider, but I get where you're coming from. 4 lp's on a record changer for bedroom programming served me quite well for years. Looking forward to Under the Sheets, thanks for the recommend.
@@davidstock3242 Yeah, sample that van/brian orange crate on youtube and also the sweet/hoffs 1 and 2 are the best. Awesome music. The arrangements really tie the room together. Sometime I grow to like the lp cuts I first dismissed, but I do fave track playlists/cds too.
I'm curious if the DAC in the PMA-600NE would have improved the output from this CD player. With so much being written about DAC technology improving sound I'm wondering if you could hook them up together and compare the sound with and without the DAC built into the amp. Also compare to other inexpensive DACs. This is an issue as the DAC in the amp might make it even more of a bargain than it already seems to be.
Yesterday evening I ordered maggot brain funkadelic, black Sabbath black Sabbath and all the witches lightning at the door on CD. Can't wait to hear them uncompressed on my arcam cd player. Thanks for the maggot brain recommendation btw 👍
My CD version of Funkadelic's 'Maggot Brain' is unfortunately quite fatiguing to listen too, which reflects the sound quality you can hear on youtube, so recording quality was poor from the start. Still, it is a magnificent track, worth the purchase anyway.
@@chrisvinicombe9947 maggot brain is one of my very fav 'guitar' tracks ( if not my all time fav). I even have Eddie Hazel solo albums. I have maggot brain on vinyl, cd & remastered cd (digital also). What I like about the remastered version is that alternate take of maggot brain. As for the sound quality....hmmm...not sure that any sound great. Guess I'm partial to my vinyl...perhaps cause it was played to death when I was in my 20s, so I'm just used to how it sounds. I've only seen funkadelic once, that was on their first tour out here about 20 years ago now (shit time flies). They were awesome and played for like 3 hours. It was incredible!! Actually, I don't think any of their albums (including Parliament) are recorded particularly well. In a word, I'd call them 'murky'. Doesn't stop me loving them tho! Happy listening 😊
I don't mind a recording with some hiss , whine , and murk. So long as its great music It's part of the experience. The black sabbath album is far from prefect too but I don't care.
@@chrisvinicombe9947 I have the WBCD 772007 version, which has not been remastered. It also has an alternative take of Maggot Brain on there as well. My impression of the sound quality is one of a 'bright', piercing sound signature, thus the fatiguing aspect, & the idea it was a poorly recorded or mastered soundtrack.
Great video. I just bought this DCD 600NE. But when I load up a perfectly compatible CD the unit just tells me "NO DISC." I also bought the Denon PMA 600NE Amp, that's a gem shame about the VS player.
I have over 2000 CDs and still love the format. I am not a streaming guy by any means. Between my vinyl and my CDs I am good to go. I even have a turntable connected to one of my computers so I can digitize my vinyl albums here and there. Only a select few get that treatment. I still love the sound of vinyl. For me CDs will never go out of fashion.
A few days ago I bought my first serious subwoofer, of the Polk Audio brand. Afterwards one of salesmen told be I should buy one of those streaming/network players for better quality music. Well, I still prefer CDs because I hate the newer music that's online. Also some of the music I search for isn't streaming online. Japanese anime OST nobody has heard of. Film soundtracks nobody has heard in a long time. Numerous catalogues that probably haven't been converted yet. So when I buy a CD copy, I know it's in my possession and there's a reliable device to play it on. A player like that Denon sounds like it's reliable enough.
Steve, you need to put this up against a Yamaha CD-S300 and the Onkyo C-7030. I believe the 7030 might be at the end of its run, and going up in price. All three are/were $299 and have good reviews on various boards. We need to know - which one is best?
Love DENON gear but they are treating USA market like a step child. Top model of SACD/CD player for US market is DCD-1600NE and everywhere else is DCD-2500NE. In Japan, top model is DCD-SX1 LIMITED and it goes for $6,886.
CDs are a great format... for ripping to FLAC and putting on your Roon server. I personally don’t want to organize and put on display physical media in 2019. But if that’s your thing, I get it. And there are great deals to be had.
Good morning, i own a denon DVD/HDCD 5000 and i am thinking to sell and buy a newer player dcd600 or 800. What would you suggest? Keep it or sell it? Should i see a significant improvement to the soundstage? Merry xmas Mel
I love CDs and I continue to buy them through Amazon. I ordered yesterday a cd from Amazon and I got it today in less than 24 hrs. I have an Oppo UDP-203, which I love but now that they are no longer made should I buy a CD player like this and save the Oppo for my videos?
Do you own denon. I have noticed their tower speakers, amp & cd player being pushed by you. Can a reviewer be impartial yet recommend brands. If you could build a system for less than £3000 what would you recommend leaving a favoured brand name out. I trust your reviews since I bought the B&W 607 s2 anniversaries.
Thanks for all your insights and interesting presentations. You mention that this cd player can be used as a transport by means of the optical output. I wonder if that is correct as I understand it, a transport does not have a DAC built in, but relies on an external DAC. The specs on this Denon mention a DAC IC PCM5142, Burr Brown (192kHz/32-Bit). But my question is more on which format/ resolution is outputted to the optic. Is it always 16bit/44kHz regardless of the resolution of the recording/ file on the media? And is the max capabilities of the internal DAC only used to convert to the analog outputs? I have been trying to get my head around this issue and are still looking for a good CD player. I have a LYNGDORF Tdai1120 as my main amp. Did you do a review on this amp? Or is class D's not your cup of tea? Enjoy your videos.
Thanks for watching! When you use the optical output of any CD player it is then functioning as a transport. You are essentially bypassing the CD players internal digital converter. The resolution of all CD players is the same, limited by the resolution of the CD itself, 16 bit, 44 one sampling rate. Of course many players and digital converter‘s poop sample from there, but the native resolution of the CD format is always 16 bit, 44.1. I hope that helps.
@ Progressive...it was Jan this year I just tossed out all my cassettes and many rare small release/concert giveaway kinds. I've got so much physical music and I just never used the cassettes. So, figured in the bin with them!!! Not sure that I'll regret it at some point, no issues so far. Cheers!!!
I nearly always buy CD over vinyl due to cost. I also rip them to my computer and can play them through my computer>DAC>Amp. Physical and digital all in one.
Like you, I have thousands of CD's. However, for me, they are only emergency backup for when the internet goes down and I have no streaming, which has never happened since I started streaming 5 years ago. To me, CD's, like vinyl, contain too many tunes that have no emotional connection to me. For me, cherry picked streamed playlists rule. Every tune connects!
Hi Jason. Sounds like we have the same issues with full albums. Long before playlists, I was making custom cassettes and then custom CD's. However, nothing compares to the convenience of streaming all my cherry picked music from wherever I am...at home via 4 systems, in the car, via BT, in the garage via a BT speaker and via headphones while traveling or being mobile wherever. At one time, I had 3,000+ LP's and it was a lot of work constantly picking and putting down my tonearm playing 2 songs from here, 3 songs from there and 1 from another. Now I pick a playlist, hit shuffle and enjoy all favorites for hours on end . I will never go back. Thanks for your input! Happy listening!
I still love CD’s and I don’t see that changing. I love vinyl too. When I buy new vinyl, I record it to CD while it’s still fresh and it sounds great. Better (usually) than the manufactured CD release. The sad bit is that the continual brainwashing of the public that somehow CD’s are inferior and sound like shit has been effective. No one seems to care that the format is slowly dying due to inattention and a conscious desire by hardware manufacturers let it die in favor of non physical product. Some of these manufacturers also own record labels and would prefer everything to go to streaming. Much more profitable. But the CD is slowly becoming an orphan product. Abandoned. The spec was never allowed to evolve. Recordable CD’s for some inexplicable reason never caught on. No one seems to care about recording anything anymore on physical media. DVD and hard disc recorders just faded away. VHS recorders are gone. It seems like the only company that bothers to make a CD recorder is Tascam, and the current mk II generation is a cheapened to the max version of its predecessor which was far better. Audio companies used to strive to make their products better and better year after year, but in the CD recorder category, this is no longer the case. I can foresee a time when they won’t even be offered anymore, much like the DVD/HDD recorder. I’m a musician and I still use CD recorders to record or master my own music and to make mix CD’s. There is no other physical recording format that still has a large base of installed, compatible machines in many homes and cars. (Although all that seems to be slowly disappearing and most new cars don’t even offer CD players or CD/HDD players.) But I’m puzzled as to how audiophiles in particular seem uninterested at the current state of affairs regarding having a machine in your system that can record to physical media. Many amps don’t even offer record outs anymore. What the hell happened? Why have home recording devices died? Many people used to have reel to reel recorders integrated with their setups. Then cassette decks got better and better and everyone had those. Now it’s like nothing. How has this become unimportant to so many? Currently along with the Tascam CD-RW900SL and 901SL, I use old units made in the late ‘90’s that are of superb quality. These were originated (I think) by Pioneer and then rebranded and altered a bit for pro studio use by Fostex and HHB. The Fostex CR-200 and CR-300 (CDR-850 for HHB and they also did their version of the CR-200) are excellent machines that have a pro build and super high quality DACs. These machines are mostly super reliable but some are starting to show their age and they get quirky. But these are late 90’s machines! Where are the new machines? Where is an upgrade to the format? Or even just a high quality continuation of the current spec? I’m curious about what others think about this.
The Onkyo 7030, the Teac P650, Yamaha has a decent one. etc.......There are many entry level players out there that do a fine job. And most of them have at least one digital output if you want to use your own DAC.
I (sort of) took your advice on the Denon amp (399) you refer to. Hooked it to the Klipsch 600M's (439 on sale) which you and Sean and Dorko talked me into -- and an existing Monoprice ($300) powered sub. I think that will satisfy me for awhile (with an 8 year old AT120 ($250) record-rotator with Grado high output MC cartridge ($199 on sale)). Currently, CD's play on a DVD player (free) with coax to the Denon. I can see this CD machine ($299) in the future when the DVD player needs replacement. I'm more into listening to serious music than remortgaging the house to impress people ($0.10 ears) who don't know what I'm listening to. But, I digress. In a space of 1000 sq. ft., half of it with 17' ceilings, I cannot anticipate hearing anything louder there. The Klipsch's and the sub are loafing; the amp is not. But, twice the 50 watts per channel would only yield 3 dB more loudness (nature's diminishing returns). On jazz, it sounds very much like what I remember, visiting the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note. I find it's far better (for me) to be listening for a competent horn player, or a well played piano, or a brilliant acoustic instrument improvisation, than searching for some tiny discrepancy in my music player. Thanks for the advice. -Just one man's view, a musiphile.
I can play my few CDs with my DVD player(Samsung). Just loaded Stevie Nicks LIVE concert. I am using Klisph R 51 powered speakers. Would I still hear a difference with a dedicated CD player? Enjoy your channel bunches.
Ha, I've bought relatively cheap (~330 Eur) universal player Yamaha BD-S681, it played even SACD (I've got one!), but it was so lazy and buggy (once it was turning off forever), I returned it and bought Pioneer PD-30AE CD player, very similar to this Denon. Even the remote has similar problems ;-) small pause/play and other basic buttons. I still use the front panel more as I have to be there to put the CD in anyway. So I like this simple CD player concept although I'd love to have some great universal player. I was even considering to buy some for around ~1000 Eur, but then OPPO is gone, Cambridge CXUHD is discontinued, ... it's the same story everywhere. Now I have one box to play CDs, it's quiet, it plays, it's responsive... I like it. Definitely not the thing of the past for me.
Yes I was thinking the same thing. I'm trying to decide between the Denon 600ne, 800ne and Marantz cd5005, cd6006 to replace my failing Philips cd player. And honestly this didn't help me.
@@JessicaSeverin I replaced my misbehaving Nad cd352 with a Marantz cd5005 and two years later I'm still being amazed by what I now hear in my favourite albums over again. Be aware though that the Marantz is dry and rather clinical until it burns in, and for me, this was after more than 50 hours. It is fast, tight and deep with sweetish top end...... nice
@@MrPeeBeeDeeBee thanks! I've always like the CS4xxx series DACs and I'm leaning toward the CD5005 of the ones I mentions. I had a Marantz CD46 years ago when I lived in the UK and really enjoyed it. I also have a CAL Sigma-II DAC with a CS4328 which I love. My Philips CD910 with the CDM-12.1/05 transport has been awesome but it is just not able to read some CDs or play whole CDs anymore. I will try to clean it again and see if that brings it back to life. CD5005 is sounding like a good choice for me.
Thanks for mentioning this, by the way. My bad habit of reading the comments with the video playing came in handy for once, now I know not to bother sitting through it all. How do you call yourself the Audiophiliac if you're making videos about audio equipment and not mentioning how it sounds??
Went to my local Musica this week, thousands of CDs for sale and one small rack with 10 vinyls or so costing 20 times the price of a CD🤣 Haven't seen anyone buy a record yet.
I'm using a Sony DVD player from Best Buy for $35 into a Schiit Modi DAC via coax. Total cost $100 and with the Modi you can plug in two other digital sources - PC, whatever.
As of July 2020 the only Denon CD players available in Australia are the DCD-520AE or the DCD-800NE (or higher). As it is, the 520 is Au$650 and the 800 is $1200 which, given the U.S. price, is crazy stupid. We own a DCD-500AE from (I think) 2007 and it does sound and perform great but I definetly question the Australian prices. It's not just Denon, though. The Australian prices for Marantz CD players are astronomical as well. The only cheap ones seem to be Yamaha ones.
I would LOVE to meet you one day! You know your material and you present it well. If you have ever heard of a newer format called HRCD-High Resolution Compact Disc, I am the recording Engineer who invented it.
I currently use my computers DVD player to rip my CDs to FLACs and then stream the files from my PC to a Schiit Multibit DAC and Magi 3 amp and listen to them with my Massdrop HD600X headphones. Given the $299 price for the Denon CD player, will it make a discernible difference or would it be better to first upgradie one of the other items in my system?
Hard to go wrong with a Denon cd player, I still have a Denon DCD-1500 MK1, from 1986, and it works great, still a decent sound, and also a few more modern, quite high end cd players, but there's something about that old Denon's sound, and it has a good headphone amp/sound.
I’ve been on a binge collecting older players that cost a fortune in the 80s and can now be had affordably not just because of how they sound but how DIFFERENT they sound. They all had their own unique sound signatures compared to today where alot of equipment sounds all the same or sterile.
@@mikeg2491 Indeed, they tend to sound very similar now, also this crazy DAC thing going on just now, every five minutes there's a new, supposedly better DAC, I'm calling BS on it, basically taking everyone for a ride, ok there are good modern DAC's, but if you listen to a well implemented older DAC, they sound great too, I'm just not a believer that DAC's can continue to improve constantly, it seems very similar to how washing powder is marketed, its always improved, like from the day it came out 50? 80? years ago, its still getting better?, nope, its sales and marketing BS. there's only so far you can push DAC technology, I think it reached a peek years ago, but they keep pushing it, they've got to, to keep the sales figures up, simple.
Steve I’m sure you get a lot of compliments on your fantastic shirt collection. They deserve a background worthy of the imagination of their designers. Hide your NYC APT clutter
A recent move required multiple trips with trash to the complex dumpster...on one trip there was a CD player sitting on top of 2 boxes of neatly organized CDs. Next trip...player Wass gone BUT the CD's were now IN the dumpster. Go Figure. STEVE - I'd still like to hear an episode about the sound of music in your [well damped] living room vs. the more austere rooms of dealers or even at CNET. (and BTW, your well damped room ain't nothing compared to my mom's upper westside apartment, whew!)
I totally regret letting my awesome dad choose a CD player for me when I was young.. The Panasonic SA-AK230 was terrible(and it's stopped working 5 years later.), If I knew about Denon that time I would tell him to buy a Denon. Funny enough, there are Sony Speaker hidden under the TV so long so I used that one and got a JVC XL-M509 and Onkyo DX-C300 CD player. I might have to sell the JVC because they don't work great. I'm waiting for the day that Goodwill will have a Denon CD player for me.
I have about 4,000 Wave files from CDs. The nice things is that I can burn a CD of Led Zepplin and it will sound just like it did on the original CD I took the files from. ... so what I'm saying is is there is a solution to owning a schitt load of CDs. ... making WAVE files from Albums though are another problems since it is recording via analog frequency. Most of the digitized albums sound like @%#$ which is why I hesitate to make back-ups of albums. Recording from an AR-Turntable in 1973 to a Reel to Reel like a Tanberg or Revox or many other good tape machines was far less complicated than todays Analog to Digital conversions....
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](/img/1.gif)
Have thousands of CDs and will never stop buying them. 👍
Graeme Knowles - Great minds think alike.😊
Or listening to them.......
I went to a dealer once who fumbled with a streamer and I thought well thats just one reason why I hate streaming.
Hear, hear!
Millions of us are still buying and listening to them with ever growing colections :-)
same here
Many people are selling their whole CD collection at the moment. Here in Germany we have an online shop for used media. A CD usually costs
about 1$. So I can buy 10 CDs for the cost of one month streaming and the music is mine. Awsome!
Now is a great time to get a lot of music cheaply. There are a lot of inexpensive compilations and box set coming out that sell for a couple dollars per disc
I love physical media. There was an Alan Parsons CD that was only released in Germany, and perhaps a few countries due to copyright dispute with Eric Wolfson. It was not released in the U.S. It was called Fruediana. I don't think you will find it on any steaming service either, perhaps, but I doubt it. I have a copy and love it .
what is the address ?
Beautiful and Smart 👍
send me 10, will give you 2 bucks :)
Man, that shirt teleported me back to 1988... Let's keep the CD in the spotlight! It has stood the test of time as the best music format so far.
Still my favorite format.
Me three.
Me four
I've noticed this year, many new releases are not even coming out on CD. Streaming or paid download only.
@@jeffmpvd7689 That is the sad reality of the times we live in.
@@jeffmpvd7689 or they only get released on vinyl. a lot of my favorite artists albums like wet, muna st lucia, broods james arthur, king princess never had their albums released on cd just vinyl and some of these artists have cd but they aren't available in the us so you have pay $20 to $30 for a import copy which is way too much for a standard cd. all albums should get a cd release but i guess columbia records which most of these artists are signed to don't want to release cd because they don't think the cd will sell very well. i will buy cds as long as they are still being made. i get the appeal of vinyl but i like cd better than vinyl as they are more portable and cost less.
I’ve just given up on Roon and streaming and gone back to CDs.
Absolutely loving them and about to order 90 and would love a new CD player. That’s me for life.
Tried all the other ways and gone back to something I love, no computers or tablets, no distractions, always works, simple and can find a track within seconds of pulling CD off the shelf.
I bought a Marantz CD 6006 two weeks ago and it's been a delightful pleasure to hear all detail that was hidden in the CDs I've been buying in the last 30 years. And twice a month I go to flea markets and buy great CDs for 1 or 2 euros a piece.
My first CD player was (is) a Denon DCD-1520, purchased in 1988. I still use it on my "upstairs" system. It only had one mechanical problem with the drawer motor many years ago. Denon issued an optional EC for a customer cost of about $50.00. Still a very reliable and nice sounding unit for its age.
I decided to upgrade my 1980s home stereo, and on the advice of Steve and others decided to buy the Denon DCD-600N and a Schiit Modi 3 DAC. A DAC is new territory for me. So much for the value of research! The Denon's direct analog output sounds somewhat better than when using a Schiit DAC.
Cds rock. If music is mixed and mastered well, it sounds great on the format
Now there is a difference between buying a record with an artist who lives or buying a record with Beethoven. if the artist is alive then he is probably in contact with a record company and maybe therefore only available to buy from that record company.
Thanks Steve! My 1986 DCD 1500 recently decided it wouldn’t play a few of my CDs. Took it apart, cleaned as best I could and the issue continues. I bought a DCD-600NE 2 weeks ago. Much better sound, as one might expect. Anyway, your comments about the simplicity of this unit caught my ear. It has the optical out, so I might try an outboard DAC...The remote is enormous !
Is your Denon DCD-600NE CD player still working properly after 3 years? (I just want to know how reliable it is. Thanks)
I have this stacked on the compatible Denon PMA 600NE receiver amp and together they give you a piece of music heaven. They handled every bookshelf speaker I've thrown at them and handled them like a boss...
Is your Denon DCD 600NE CD player still working properly after 3 years? (I just want to know how reliable it is. Thanks)
Denon makes amazing Audio gear . Thanks for the review !
I bought a Onkyo C-7030 and I love it. Had been using an Samsung Blu ray player for the past several years but decided it was a worthwhile investment to go back to a dedicated CD player for my over 1k and still growing CD collection.
There is no doubt how good the Denon CD players are. I still have and use weekly, my Denon DCD-1500 I bought back in the1980’s and it still works flawlessly, and sounds great. A stereo magazine review of this unit back then stated, “The creators of the DCD-1500 should be honored in public!” I still agree. I need to replace the “newer” Phillips CD changer in another home system, and have decided to let my wife get me the Onkyo DXC 390, 6 disc changer for Christmas.
Steve, essentially the only thing you say about the performance of this Denon CD player is that "it is very functional, it is very basic" and "it is a "fine place to start." This could be said about almost any budget CD player. I guess I am wondering why you chose this piece of gear to review when you had so little to say about it.
Tom Huffman yes yes yes. I’m glad I’m not the only viewer who is sceptical of these reviewers.
Unfortunately, this is a common theme in his videos. They often tend to be vague and lacking in detail. And you're right..."functional"..."basic"..."fine place to start" -- that could be said about ANY CD player. "When you hit PLAY, it plays"..."when you hit STOP, it stops". Yeah...got it. How about details about the sound quality, the functionality, how the whole "pure direct" thing works. I understand that when "pure direct" is selected, it deactivates the digital outputs and the display. However, when I disengage "pure direct", I still don't see the display on the CD player. This is stuff people need to know.
I learn about gear that is out there from YT. I choose my price point and make an investment decision only after attempting to audition the equipment I am choosing. The Big Problem is finding dealers who carry the gear I want to hear. Not for nothing, I lean heavily toward legacy gear not only for bang for the buck but b/c I have heard this or that audio product once before over the years. So, I confess most YT reviews are of little informational value for me. Ditto for print reviews. Most. Some speak to my listening preferences - I like big, clearly define sound stages that make me feel I’m in a concert hall or an opera house sitting in high priced orchestra seats at eye level with the performers. Then, I am inclined to listen up and take note. Doesn’t stop me from listening to or reading reviews. It just there is little informational value in them. I guess I’m afraid of missing out on something in the market. That keeps me listening... :)
Bought mine from Goodwill with remote for 10 bucks and probably sounds as good as the Denon. If you see a CD player at Goodwill with a remote taped to it the previous owner is probably trying to tell you it's a working one.
i bought one of these and it sounds awful
It's an easy choice nowadays. Around $4 on average for good used CD titles, or $30 or more for new vinyl, or $25 for overpriced used vinyl, both of which (new and used) can be full of pops and clicks. Or you can rent air (streaming).
I'm using a Luxman D404 is still going strong only thing I replaced was a $2 belt. Steve, that shirt tops your best. When I think you can't out do it you come along with this one. Cheers
CD & SACD is still the only media I use. No streaming in any way or LP here.
Same here only for reviews HDCD is mostly very good also
@@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 Yes, my absolute favourite CD is a HDCD. Mike Oldfields Amarok in HDCD-version. Sounds MARVELOUS both musically and the soundquality!!
Tital streaming is amazing
I’m with you, though I like LPs, too. I’m way too lazy to stream, rip or have to go through my iPhone just to play an album. I love simply inserting the disc and not having to do anything else. Don’t even have to hit ‘PLAY’! So no files, volumes, directories or formats for me.
@ Yes, I try to get them but I've only managed to buy 35 of them so far.
I got an older Denon CD player on ebay for $25 with free shipping. It sounds fantastic!
Streaming is "easy peasy" but IMHO spinning CD's on a great sounding player is still a ton of fun.
Great episode! I still love CD’s.
Steve, would love a “your last CD player” episode. A lot of us are at that stage in our audiophile life. Please!!!!
Agreed
Mine would be the ps audio perfect wave cd transport it transports DSD and SACD unlike most players
Thanks, Steve. Although I’ve always been a vinyl guy, I still own aprox 300-400 CD’s, but thousands of records. That Denon looks like a cool player though, cuz I’m not too sure how much longer my JVC CD player from ‘91 is gonna work.
Totally off topic, I never mention your shirts cuz it’s got nothing to do with audio or what you’re talking about, but that one is absolutely beautiful! Wow, man!
Thanks for all your work, Steve! 🎶🔊🙂
Got the Denon DCD 600NE and it is awsome.
Makes my speakers sing.
Is your Denon DCD 600NE CD player still working properly after 2 years? (I just want to know how reliable it is. Thanks)
@@AlexanderG-mi7ip Yes.
CD still is my favourite music format, including the DVD-Audio. I have 4 different CD players, each one with different DAC chips. The first I've bought with 16 years old was a Technics SL-PG 520 CD Player (bitstream) that I haven´t changed for two decades. Since 4 years ago, I've beeing colecting some of the best multibit DAC's equipping CD players. I have an upgraded (simplified signal path) Marantz CD40 with the excelent TDA1541A chip, wich equips some of the best ladder DAC's avaiable today. I also have a Primare CD31 with the other famous and excelent multibit DAC, the BB1704-K (2 per channel). My last purchase was a Arcam CD23T with another excelent DAC (a ring DAC, developed with dCS) that can also decode HDCD (that sound excelent, by the way).
Perhaps in another of your videos you could explore some other formats of CD playback (HDCD, XRCD or SHM-CD).
The old Technics players are great, I own a SL-PG 540A. I think it's the MASH chip combined with the Philips transport. Sounds very involving and spacious for such an old piece of technology.
@@crapmalls , I totally agree 😊
Overall I do think that the multibit DACs sound more natural and respect and unveil more details than the bitstream ones that came after (and were more cheap to produce). At the moment I am using more expensive but excelent external DAC (Weiss 202), that is more accurate and superlative in sounstage/silence and detail than the ones I have mentioned. I always have the option to swich between the players ☺
@Ricardo Sardo What’s your opinion on NAD CD521?
Thanks. I had an NAD for many years and the tray motor started to fault out on me.
@@mikec6617 , NAD always made very good products regarding the price tag. I still prefer the amps to the NAD digital sources. I've never heard the CD player you mentioned but it seems a good starting point.
Why don't you ever show us video of the actual equipment? It would be nice to see it in operation. Do you actually test it at home or do you recomend it based on specs?
I still like buying the odd CD and have a big collection from the 80's and 90's. Using an OPPO dvd/cd player at the moment, but still have my first CD player. It was one of Sony's first consumer players, the CDP-302 which I paid $699 Cnd for back in the mid 80's!
I have tons of CDs and I wont stop buying them.
My favorite format and I’ve tried and still use most. Perhaps when my ONKYO 7030 decides to stop giving me my money’s worth I’ll buy this one! 🤣
i am big advocate of CD format
I love the sound of CDs I just have one problem with the format, one problem.... I hate when a cd comes in a plastic case. They look terrible, they break easily and they get scratched a lot.
When a cd comes in a paper/cardboard or whatever case it is simply an amazing format to have your music.
I recently got a bit fed up with being online all the time and returned to CDs and I must say it sounds better than your usual Spotify music.
I’m getting back into CDs myself after acquiring quality equipment. When you A/B them to Spotify, there is definitely things missing in bass and soundstage with Spotify’s compression. Qobuz and Tidal can compete somewhat but their UI is god awful. I use Spotify for general listening and discovery now and seek out the CD for the truly great albums I want to own.
@@mikeg2491 ever tried Deezer? It gets closer to cd quality than Spotify but I don't know if better or worst than Tidal and the other one.
CD's are great. I wish SACD format took off.
It is not even marketed. There was also a competitor to SACD called DVD-Audio. they may need to rename or create a format called 4K audio 😃
Today, go to Google then write the name of the artist or album and then write Hi-res
Nice shirt - it complements you. Nice commentary - why I listen to you Mr. Audiophiliac.
hi this is my first cd player and im also using the Denon amp too. cant wait to set it up. still need to find the right speakers for the room. thank you for the video
Music distribution corporations have a vested interest in trying to get rid of CD's. The same thing happened with video gaming. With CD or Vinyl you own your product for as long as it lasts and CD's last pretty much forever. Streaming services require an on going fee which will cost more and more
as time goes on. When you create a copy of "your" music from a streaming service you may think you own it but due to security and copyright rules they can change the access codes at any time and you will not be able to play your music. When I started game playing in the 1990's you could buy your game dvd and play it without having to go to any other source for approval. For "security" reason they changed how you could buy their product by creating a gaming platform. From that point on you could never play current games without first accessing the gaming platform and your game dvd would not work without first getting on the platform. If you must have access to the internet to play your music or games you don't own it and will always be paying fees to keep it. I own CD's and stream but CD's and Vinyl are the only guaranteed way to own your music.
You could borrow the CD from your local library and burn it. If that's legal.
Preach.
You can always copy to an Outboard CD recorder than rip that CD to your player. Main take away is to get the record the streaming media on any analog format. There are quality ways of doing this.
You hit the nail on the head,I will "never" pay a monthly fee for the ability to play music.
Flash forward to February 2022 and this Denon is still available, but for $429. The remote has not changed, if the pics on Amazon are accurate. Because of "supply chain issues", there are not many options for reasonably priced CD players. But there are many good DACS out there, so using this as a transport is an option, but I wish it had Coaxial digital output. There seems to be a resurgence of interest in CDs, so the $1 used discs are not as common, as they have been picked over and are more in demand. And High quality streaming has just gotten better and better. $40-$50 LPs have dampened the enthusiasm of Vinyl Heads. What goes around...etc.
I just started getting back into CDs too, I live in the Midwest so thankfully you can still find cheap CDs here with less coastal hipsters to compete with. But vinyl is overpriced, every old boomer with scratched up records and ratty dust jackets thinks they deserve $12-$20 a piece at my local garage sales or flea markets, nuts to that.
In 2024, still costs $429. I'd go for the Rotel CD11 at $399 instead.
I love CDs I buy all my CDs from a German website because CDs are still highly valued in Europe people like to collect
Love my CD player, which really saw a lot (over my TT) of use when my kids were little. Less worries if someone bumps something, jumps up and down and you can throw in whatever they like as well. Got a nice deal on a Roksan Kandy K2 30 euro more (330) than this Denon for IMO a much higher quality bit of gear.
Yup, still have plenty of CDs here as well and still buy them (not to mention record to them as well on occasion). I don't have 3000 CDs, but I am very near 1000. I am particular about what I purchase on CD format (never classic rock and the like, but newish music, especially electronic or ambient and classical as well as jazz are good enough for me on CD. Plus there are some special made CDs as well.
Anyway, I did not know Denon was still putting out CD players these days. Another good suggestion is Marantz, they have the CD5005 at $399 MSRP, which means $299 on the store shelf or make that, Amazon as stores are dying thanks to the wretched internet. There is also the CD6006 for $100 which just offers USB playback if you want to pay $100 more for that. While Marantz and Denon are part of the same parent company and likely made in the same factory, the Marantz CD players do have an edge on the Denons. For one, they are surprisingly heavy due to a big ol' tordial transformer in them with a power cord to match. They offer a tiny bit more connectivity in back, but unfortunately, they share the exact "drive you crazy" remote. Still, a very solid player.
Cd is awesome very hassle free if you dont scratch em.
In a way i like all formats to me Every format has its pros and cons and charm.
Its about having a good player and a good edition master of the release.
If you have a great cd player it Will Trump a macbooks dac.
I like physical format it just feels more special and engaging.
Streaming is Also great sound I love Tidal. Since I have Add i love music files in high res and vinyl rips cuz then i can not break anything😂.
I have a hard time taking care of myself and records but I have gotten better at taking care of my vinyl nowadays as well as my health lately.
Its all good!
Rant end.
I know its about cd players I have ADD.
I bought the Denon DCD-800NE for 324 Euro's a few months ago, great CD player, value for money.
They can have my Technics SL-P350... when they pry it from my dead fingers, CD is and always will be my favourite format and that player is absolutely astoundingly good for considering it's 31 years old!
I still have my original Technics SL-P500 that is great but they won't play CD-R's. I've got a couple SONY players that play anything you throw at them!
@@gerry2132 Mine plays CD-Rs just fine!
Cool shirt Steve good review of the Denon. How would you say it compares with the Cambridge cd player? Also really looking forward to your review of the Cornwall IV
Great review on the Denon CD player, in an awesome shirt.
I have over 3000 cds. I have a jazz, pop/rock, and classical section in alphabetical order. I usually play them 5 at a time on a carousel mid-fi Yamaha cd player. I like choosing 5 similar or disparate titles and let one lead the way to the next. Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson Orange Crate Art to Tom Petty She's the One to Paul McCartney Run Devil Run to Bob Dylan Down in the Groove to Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs Under the Covers. It makes for a different interesting journey each time. I don't want to cherry pick favorites. I believe a fair to great deal of thought went into each cd and like to listen to what they have to say which varies as the years go by, depending on my moods, condition, and circumstances. I find that most give me Strength for the Journey. I work out to them. I listen to them. I dance to them. I clean and put away to them. I putter to them. I party to them. I enjoy them! I basically assume Steve is saying the sound is good in this unit as it is in most mid-fi players. I believe we may see the end of cd's in our lifetime. Many are out of print now. The suits want everybody streaming and leasing the music. No more physical copies, see, Rocky? Yeah, that's how you corner the market, see? We'll make 'em pay for it, forever, see? Nobody owns nothing anymore, see? Only we own it. If they want to listen, they got to go thru us, see? And maybe we'll get rid of all those cd players they play'em on too, see? Yeah. Maybe that's how we'll do it. Nobody gets to listen to music lest I say so. And we'll see how they like them apples.--Edward G. Robinson Records.
You had me at Van Dyke Parks.
I'm more of a burn favorite tracks with a cd burner guy than a carousel rider, but I get where you're coming from. 4 lp's on a record changer for bedroom programming served me quite well for years.
Looking forward to Under the Sheets, thanks for the recommend.
@@davidstock3242 Yeah, sample that van/brian orange crate on youtube and also the sweet/hoffs 1 and 2 are the best. Awesome music. The arrangements really tie the room together. Sometime I grow to like the lp cuts I first dismissed, but I do fave track playlists/cds too.
What about if I am interested also SACD... What you think is cheap but still good quality to start that. Or is there even..
I'm curious if the DAC in the PMA-600NE would have improved the output from this CD player.
With so much being written about DAC technology improving sound I'm wondering if you could hook them up together and compare the sound with and without the DAC built into the amp. Also compare to other inexpensive DACs.
This is an issue as the DAC in the amp might make it even more of a bargain than it already seems to be.
The dac in the cd-player is a little better. I don't think that you will notice any differens.
Yesterday evening I ordered maggot brain funkadelic, black Sabbath black Sabbath and all the witches lightning at the door on CD. Can't wait to hear them uncompressed on my arcam cd player. Thanks for the maggot brain recommendation btw 👍
My CD version of Funkadelic's 'Maggot Brain' is unfortunately quite fatiguing to listen too, which reflects the sound quality you can hear on youtube, so recording quality was poor from the start. Still, it is a magnificent track, worth the purchase anyway.
@@floydmanfloydman4147 I risked getting the remastered version. So I'm not sure what it's gonna be like. Wich version do you have?
@@chrisvinicombe9947 maggot brain is one of my very fav 'guitar' tracks ( if not my all time fav). I even have Eddie Hazel solo albums. I have maggot brain on vinyl, cd & remastered cd (digital also). What I like about the remastered version is that alternate take of maggot brain.
As for the sound quality....hmmm...not sure that any sound great. Guess I'm partial to my vinyl...perhaps cause it was played to death when I was in my 20s, so I'm just used to how it sounds.
I've only seen funkadelic once, that was on their first tour out here about 20 years ago now (shit time flies). They were awesome and played for like 3 hours. It was incredible!!
Actually, I don't think any of their albums (including Parliament) are recorded particularly well. In a word, I'd call them 'murky'. Doesn't stop me loving them tho!
Happy listening 😊
I don't mind a recording with some hiss , whine , and murk. So long as its great music It's part of the experience. The black sabbath album is far from prefect too but I don't care.
@@chrisvinicombe9947 I have the WBCD 772007 version, which has not been remastered. It also has an alternative take of Maggot Brain on there as well. My impression of the sound quality is one of a 'bright', piercing sound signature, thus the fatiguing aspect, & the idea it was a poorly recorded or mastered soundtrack.
Great video. I just bought this DCD 600NE. But when I load up a perfectly compatible CD the unit just tells me "NO DISC." I also bought the Denon PMA 600NE Amp, that's a gem shame about the VS player.
I have over 2000 CDs and still love the format. I am not a streaming guy by any means. Between my vinyl and my CDs I am good to go. I even have a turntable connected to one of my computers so I can digitize my vinyl albums here and there. Only a select few get that treatment. I still love the sound of vinyl. For me CDs will never go out of fashion.
A few days ago I bought my first serious subwoofer, of the Polk Audio brand. Afterwards one of salesmen told be I should buy one of those streaming/network players for better quality music. Well, I still prefer CDs because I hate the newer music that's online. Also some of the music I search for isn't streaming online. Japanese anime OST nobody has heard of. Film soundtracks nobody has heard in a long time. Numerous catalogues that probably haven't been converted yet. So when I buy a CD copy, I know it's in my possession and there's a reliable device to play it on. A player like that Denon sounds like it's reliable enough.
I ordered this model by mistake . I heard your comments and decided to stick with it . I am not used to hifi but this seems fine to me .
Still my favorite format as well. I have tons of $$$ invested in CD players and CD's (thousands too)!
Steve, you need to put this up against a Yamaha CD-S300 and the Onkyo C-7030. I believe the 7030 might be at the end of its run, and going up in price. All three are/were $299 and have good reviews on various boards. We need to know - which one is best?
Love DENON gear but they are treating USA market like a step child. Top model of SACD/CD player for US market is DCD-1600NE and everywhere else is DCD-2500NE. In Japan, top model is DCD-SX1 LIMITED and it goes for $6,886.
CDs are a great format... for ripping to FLAC and putting on your Roon server. I personally don’t want to organize and put on display physical media in 2019. But if that’s your thing, I get it. And there are great deals to be had.
Good morning, i own a denon DVD/HDCD 5000 and i am thinking to sell and buy a newer player dcd600 or 800.
What would you suggest?
Keep it or sell it?
Should i see a significant improvement to the soundstage?
Merry xmas
Mel
I love CDs and I continue to buy them through Amazon. I ordered yesterday a cd from Amazon and I got it today in less than 24 hrs. I have an Oppo UDP-203, which I love but now that they are no longer made should I buy a CD player like this and save the Oppo for my videos?
I have 800 cds and am changing them constantly
Do you own denon. I have noticed their tower speakers, amp & cd player being pushed by you. Can a reviewer be impartial yet recommend brands. If you could build a system for less than £3000 what would you recommend leaving a favoured brand name out. I trust your reviews since I bought the B&W 607 s2 anniversaries.
Thanks for all your insights and interesting presentations. You mention that this cd player can be used as a transport by means of the optical output. I wonder if that is correct as I understand it, a transport does not have a DAC built in, but relies on an external DAC. The specs on this Denon mention a DAC IC PCM5142, Burr Brown (192kHz/32-Bit). But my question is more on which format/ resolution is outputted to the optic. Is it always 16bit/44kHz regardless of the resolution of the recording/ file on the media? And is the max capabilities of the internal DAC only used to convert to the analog outputs? I have been trying to get my head around this issue and are still looking for a good CD player. I have a LYNGDORF Tdai1120 as my main amp. Did you do a review on this amp? Or is class D's not your cup of tea? Enjoy your videos.
Thanks for watching! When you use the optical output of any CD player it is then functioning as a transport. You are essentially bypassing the CD players internal digital converter. The resolution of all CD players is the same, limited by the resolution of the CD itself, 16 bit, 44 one sampling rate. Of course many players and digital converter‘s poop sample from there, but the native resolution of the CD format is always 16 bit, 44.1. I hope that helps.
I used to play my cd on dvd player,i switch to denon dcd 600 ,I notice it has louder and richer sound.highly recommend.
Glad the CD & remote works.
It matches the Dennon amp, but: Sound quality?
Is it worth using with an outboard DAC??
Thanks Steve
i was just about to post that-------no commentary on sound quality or,outboard dac use.
And one DAC built into the Denon PMA-600NE was overlooked today, too.
@Steve, where is a good place to sell CDs?
For me, physical media is where it is at.Records, CDs. Heck, i still have casettes but unfortunately no casette deck.
@ Progressive...it was Jan this year I just tossed out all my cassettes and many rare small release/concert giveaway kinds. I've got so much physical music and I just never used the cassettes. So, figured in the bin with them!!!
Not sure that I'll regret it at some point, no issues so far.
Cheers!!!
I nearly always buy CD over vinyl due to cost. I also rip them to my computer and can play them through my computer>DAC>Amp. Physical and digital all in one.
I make cassettes on the Nak ZX-9 using the Rega Planet 2000 CD. How's that for old school. The ability to make recordings is Type A
Like you, I have thousands of CD's. However, for me, they are only emergency backup for when the internet goes down and I have no streaming, which has never happened since I started streaming 5 years ago. To me, CD's, like vinyl, contain too many tunes that have no emotional connection to me. For me, cherry picked streamed playlists rule. Every tune connects!
Hi Jason. Sounds like we have the same issues with full albums. Long before playlists, I was making custom cassettes and then custom CD's. However, nothing compares to the convenience of streaming all my cherry picked music from wherever I am...at home via 4 systems, in the car, via BT, in the garage via a BT speaker and via headphones while traveling or being mobile wherever.
At one time, I had 3,000+ LP's and it was a lot of work constantly picking and putting down my tonearm playing 2 songs from here, 3 songs from there and 1 from another. Now I pick a playlist, hit shuffle and enjoy all favorites for hours on end . I will never go back. Thanks for your input! Happy listening!
I’m still using my Denon 3520 ..decades old and a freak’n work horse!
yep, the old denons were good quality; however nowadays they're junk
I still love CD’s and I don’t see that changing. I love vinyl too. When I buy new vinyl, I record it to CD while it’s still fresh and it sounds great. Better (usually) than the manufactured CD release. The sad bit is that the continual brainwashing of the public that somehow CD’s are inferior and sound like shit has been effective. No one seems to care that the format is slowly dying due to inattention and a conscious desire by hardware manufacturers let it die in favor of non physical product. Some of these manufacturers also own record labels and would prefer everything to go to streaming. Much more profitable.
But the CD is slowly becoming an orphan product. Abandoned. The spec was never allowed to evolve. Recordable CD’s for some inexplicable reason never caught on. No one seems to care about recording anything anymore on physical media. DVD and hard disc recorders just faded away. VHS recorders are gone. It seems like the only company that bothers to make a CD recorder is Tascam, and the current mk II generation is a cheapened to the max version of its predecessor which was far better. Audio companies used to strive to make their products better and better year after year, but in the CD recorder category, this is no longer the case. I can foresee a time when they won’t even be offered anymore, much like the DVD/HDD recorder.
I’m a musician and I still use CD recorders to record or master my own music and to make mix CD’s. There is no other physical recording format that still has a large base of installed, compatible machines in many homes and cars. (Although all that seems to be slowly disappearing and most new cars don’t even offer CD players or CD/HDD players.) But I’m puzzled as to how audiophiles in particular seem uninterested at the current state of affairs regarding having a machine in your system that can record to physical media. Many amps don’t even offer record outs anymore. What the hell happened? Why have home recording devices died? Many people used to have reel to reel recorders integrated with their setups. Then cassette decks got better and better and everyone had those. Now it’s like nothing. How has this become unimportant to so many?
Currently along with the Tascam CD-RW900SL and 901SL, I use old units made in the late ‘90’s that are of superb quality. These were originated (I think) by Pioneer and then rebranded and altered a bit for pro studio use by Fostex and HHB. The Fostex CR-200 and CR-300 (CDR-850 for HHB and they also did their version of the CR-200) are excellent machines that have a pro build and super high quality DACs. These machines are mostly super reliable but some are starting to show their age and they get quirky. But these are late 90’s machines! Where are the new machines? Where is an upgrade to the format? Or even just a high quality continuation of the current spec? I’m curious about what others think about this.
The Onkyo 7030, the Teac P650, Yamaha has a decent one. etc.......There are many entry level players out there that do a fine job. And most of them have at least one digital output if you want to use your own DAC.
Long live CD 💿🎶
I (sort of) took your advice on the Denon amp (399) you refer to. Hooked it to the Klipsch 600M's (439 on sale) which you and Sean and Dorko talked me into -- and an existing Monoprice ($300) powered sub. I think that will satisfy me for awhile (with an 8 year old AT120 ($250) record-rotator with Grado high output MC cartridge ($199 on sale)). Currently, CD's play on a DVD player (free) with coax to the Denon. I can see this CD machine ($299) in the future when the DVD player needs replacement. I'm more into listening to serious music than remortgaging the house to impress people ($0.10 ears) who don't know what I'm listening to. But, I digress.
In a space of 1000 sq. ft., half of it with 17' ceilings, I cannot anticipate hearing anything louder there. The Klipsch's and the sub are loafing; the amp is not. But, twice the 50 watts per channel would only yield 3 dB more loudness (nature's diminishing returns). On jazz, it sounds very much like what I remember, visiting the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note.
I find it's far better (for me) to be listening for a competent horn player, or a well played piano, or a brilliant acoustic instrument improvisation, than searching for some tiny discrepancy in my music player. Thanks for the advice.
-Just one man's view, a musiphile.
I can play my few CDs with my DVD player(Samsung). Just loaded Stevie Nicks LIVE concert. I am using Klisph R 51 powered speakers. Would I still hear a difference with a dedicated CD player? Enjoy your channel bunches.
What new cd player at this price point is good in 2022? Hard to find new 'low/mid price cd players ...
Ha, I've bought relatively cheap (~330 Eur) universal player Yamaha BD-S681, it played even SACD (I've got one!), but it was so lazy and buggy (once it was turning off forever), I returned it and bought Pioneer PD-30AE CD player, very similar to this Denon. Even the remote has similar problems ;-) small pause/play and other basic buttons. I still use the front panel more as I have to be there to put the CD in anyway. So I like this simple CD player concept although I'd love to have some great universal player. I was even considering to buy some for around ~1000 Eur, but then OPPO is gone, Cambridge CXUHD is discontinued, ... it's the same story everywhere. Now I have one box to play CDs, it's quiet, it plays, it's responsive... I like it. Definitely not the thing of the past for me.
Love your videos.
Thank you for watching!
Really? No mention of sound quality. This is not a review.
Yes I was thinking the same thing. I'm trying to decide between the Denon 600ne, 800ne and Marantz cd5005, cd6006 to replace my failing Philips cd player. And honestly this didn't help me.
@@JessicaSeverin I replaced my misbehaving Nad cd352 with a Marantz cd5005 and two years later I'm still being amazed by what I now hear in my favourite albums over again. Be aware though that the Marantz is dry and rather clinical until it burns in, and for me, this was after more than 50 hours. It is fast, tight and deep with sweetish top end...... nice
@@MrPeeBeeDeeBee thanks! I've always like the CS4xxx series DACs and I'm leaning toward the CD5005 of the ones I mentions. I had a Marantz CD46 years ago when I lived in the UK and really enjoyed it. I also have a CAL Sigma-II DAC with a CS4328 which I love. My Philips CD910 with the CDM-12.1/05 transport has been awesome but it is just not able to read some CDs or play whole CDs anymore. I will try to clean it again and see if that brings it back to life. CD5005 is sounding like a good choice for me.
He has a link in the discription to his review
Thanks for mentioning this, by the way. My bad habit of reading the comments with the video playing came in handy for once, now I know not to bother sitting through it all. How do you call yourself the Audiophiliac if you're making videos about audio equipment and not mentioning how it sounds??
Went to my local Musica this week, thousands of CDs for sale and one small rack with 10 vinyls or so costing 20 times the price of a CD🤣 Haven't seen anyone buy a record yet.
I have a Sony DVP SR510H that does a great job of playing my music cds. All I have to do is put in a cd cleaner disc from time to time.
Still loves cd. Using my Naim cd5xs as transport
I'm using a Sony DVD player from Best Buy for $35 into a Schiit Modi DAC via coax. Total cost $100 and with the Modi you can plug in two other digital sources - PC, whatever.
I listen to my cd's in my DVD player hooked up to speakers and a 50 dollar Sony CD player they sound great
I play my cd on a cheap chinese made dvd player connected to my pioneer receiver,quality of the music coming out from speaker work just fine.
As of July 2020 the only Denon CD players available in Australia are the DCD-520AE or the DCD-800NE (or higher). As it is, the 520 is Au$650 and the 800 is $1200 which, given the U.S. price, is crazy stupid. We own a DCD-500AE from (I think) 2007 and it does sound and perform great but I definetly question the Australian prices. It's not just Denon, though. The Australian prices for Marantz CD players are astronomical as well. The only cheap ones seem to be Yamaha ones.
That trippy shirt is a "type A personality"!
The Onkyo C-7030 is very nice as well, for around $149 on Amazon, but beware, it skips very easily. Must be on a very solid or isolated foundation.
Mine is nearly dead all the light are dim, and it plays for about 2 songs for that day...lol
I've had that model now for a few years, never has skipping been an issue whatsoever.....
Thank you! I still listen to cd's and fm radio! lol
I use my Yamaha Natural Sound DVD C900 as my main CD player only..am i doing wrong or is a DVD player as good as a dedicated CD player.
I would LOVE to meet you one day!
You know your material and you present it well.
If you have ever heard of a newer format called HRCD-High Resolution Compact Disc, I am the recording Engineer who invented it.
There's nothing than a CD...and the process to play it!! 💿👌
Would have been interested in a rough comparison with the oppo...
Steve what do you think about Onkyo C-7030 Single-Disc CD Player?
I currently use my computers DVD player to rip my CDs to FLACs and then stream the files from my PC to a Schiit Multibit DAC and Magi 3 amp and listen to them with my Massdrop HD600X headphones. Given the $299 price for the Denon CD player, will it make a discernible difference or would it be better to first upgradie one of the other items in my system?
Hard to go wrong with a Denon cd player, I still have a Denon DCD-1500 MK1, from 1986, and it works great, still a decent sound, and also a few more modern, quite high end cd players, but there's something about that old Denon's sound, and it has a good headphone amp/sound.
I’ve been on a binge collecting older players that cost a fortune in the 80s and can now be had affordably not just because of how they sound but how DIFFERENT they sound. They all had their own unique sound signatures compared to today where alot of equipment sounds all the same or sterile.
@@mikeg2491 Indeed, they tend to sound very similar now, also this crazy DAC thing going on just now, every five minutes there's a new, supposedly better DAC, I'm calling BS on it, basically taking everyone for a ride, ok there are good modern DAC's, but if you listen to a well implemented older DAC, they sound great too, I'm just not a believer that DAC's can continue to improve constantly, it seems very similar to how washing powder is marketed, its always improved, like from the day it came out 50? 80? years ago, its still getting better?, nope, its sales and marketing BS. there's only so far you can push DAC technology, I think it reached a peek years ago, but they keep pushing it, they've got to, to keep the sales figures up, simple.
Steve I’m sure you get a lot of compliments on your fantastic shirt collection. They deserve a background worthy of the imagination of their designers.
Hide your NYC APT clutter
A recent move required multiple trips with trash to the complex dumpster...on one trip there was a CD player sitting on top of 2 boxes of neatly organized CDs. Next trip...player Wass gone BUT the CD's were now IN the dumpster. Go Figure.
STEVE - I'd still like to hear an episode about the sound of music in your [well damped] living room vs. the more austere rooms of dealers or even at CNET. (and BTW, your well damped room ain't nothing compared to my mom's upper westside apartment, whew!)
I totally regret letting my awesome dad choose a CD player for me when I was young.. The Panasonic SA-AK230 was terrible(and it's stopped working 5 years later.), If I knew about Denon that time I would tell him to buy a Denon.
Funny enough, there are Sony Speaker hidden under the TV so long so I used that one and got a JVC XL-M509 and Onkyo DX-C300 CD player. I might have to sell the JVC because they don't work great. I'm waiting for the day that Goodwill will have a Denon CD player for me.
I have about 4,000 Wave files from CDs. The nice things is that I can burn a CD of Led Zepplin and it will sound just like it did on the original CD I took the files from.
... so what I'm saying is is there is a solution to owning a schitt load of CDs.
... making WAVE files from Albums though are another problems since it is recording via analog frequency.
Most of the digitized albums sound like @%#$ which is why I hesitate to make back-ups of albums. Recording from an AR-Turntable in 1973 to a Reel to Reel like a Tanberg or Revox or many other good tape machines was far less complicated than todays Analog to Digital conversions....
No mentions to how it sounds rings a bell.