Denon 2930? - Looking for an SACD Player

[G9logitech]

Hi Guys -

I am looking for a DVD player that will bitstream SACD, DVD-A, and HDCD layers to my denon 4308?

I assume I do not need to spend a lot of money on something that is just going to butstream "only" these things?

I currently own a Denon 3800 and a Denon 4308 A/V Receiver. Since the Denon can not read these sort of layers (SACD, DVD-A, HDCD), I cannot currently listen to these.

I was thinking about the Denon 2930CI? Any comments on this unit? I dont need to spend tons on something just to "bitstream" so my a/v reciever to decode, right? Also, I should still use my denon 3800 for regular CD playback (LPCM Output), right? (as im assuming Ill get better quality than using the Denon DVD-2930 to "bitstream" to the receiver)

thanks guys

[Hammie]

Have you considered the Oppo BD player? If you are going to bitstream, it is a great little player.

[G9logitech]

yeah, I thought about the Oppo, but I already have a blu ray player, and am looking for something just to bitstream. I can also get the Denon DVD-2930 for cheaper, and am just looking for a player to bitstream sacd, dvd-a and hdcd info to my Denon 4308 a/v receiver.

I was just wondering if its worth it? And if this DVD-2930 can bitstream the sacd, hdcd, and dvd-a layers to my receiver without ruining the quality of sacd, dvd-a, and hdcd?

Also, wanted to ask, I should still play my regualar cd's with my denon 3800, right? As maybe I would get better quality music playback with the denon 3800 for regular cd's (however denon 3800 does not read sacd, dvd-a, and hdcd)

Thanks for such a fast response

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by G9logitech

yeah, I thought about the Oppo, but I already have a blu ray player, and am looking for something just to bitstream. I can also get the Denon DVD-2930 for cheaper, and am just looking for a player to bitstream sacd, dvd-a and hdcd info to my Denon 4308 a/v receiver.

I was just wondering if its worth it? And if this DVD-2930 can bitstream the sacd, hdcd, and dvd-a layers to my receiver without ruining the quality of sacd, dvd-a, and hdcd?

Also, wanted to ask, I should still play my regualar cd's with my denon 3800, right? As maybe I would get better quality music playback with the denon 3800 for regular cd's (however denon 3800 does not read sacd, dvd-a, and hdcd)

Thanks for such a fast response

Are you running the 3800 with analogs or HDMI?

I think the DAC's between the 3800 and 4308 are comparable so not sure if you would loose/gain anything with either one as the CD player.

[G9logitech]

Im outputting LPCM via HDMI; Regarding the 3800.

Isnt there something that would be benefited with the Denon 3800 compared to the DVD-2930 (regarding regular cd music quality). Doesnt the Denon 3800 have better quality components and better for an audiophile. I cant help but stress the reason why I even bought this denon 3800 for? Well, at least my blu rays look outstanding.

Thanks for your help.

[Jwilly019]

The 2930 will not send DSD over HDMI if that's what you're looking to do. As far as I know, none of the Denon players will do that, you'd need to look into the Pioneer Elite line if that was your plan. Particularily, the DV-48, -49, and -58.

[HDJK]

You can hook up your Denon via Denon Link. DL will stream everything, including DSD. It's supposedly more stable (less jitter) than HDMI. So if you already have your 3800 hooked up via HDMI for BDs, I would use the 2930 (actually I am doing that) for everything else (CD, SACD, DVDA).

You can get the 2930 for less than an Oppo? Damn, I paid over a grand for it...

[G9logitech]

Thanks everyone for answering this question so late in the day, or in this case early in the day.

Can you hear the difference between HDMI and Denon Link? Such as 3800 via HMDI vs 2930 via Denon link (regarding regular cd's)? I mean the AL24 will still get applied right?

And doesnt denon link digitilize the audio, and then the receiver has to undo this and turn it back to an analogue signal (sort of like a toslink cable would), which is more chance for noise interduction, rather than just HDMI. (sorry if my facts are wrong. Im pretty much a newb at this)

Thanks once again everyone

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by G9logitech

Thanks everyone for answering this question so late in the day, or in this case early in the day.

Can you hear the difference between HDMI and Denon Link? Such as 3800 via HMDI vs 2930 via Denon link (regarding regular cd's)? I mean the AL24 will still get applied right?

The differences are very slight, and since I can't incorporate a true A/B test there is no guarantee of an unbiased hearing.

Yes, AL24 is applied by the receiver.

Originally Posted by G9logitech

And doesnt denon link digitilize the audio, and then the receiver has to undo this and turn it back to an analogue signal (sort of like a toslink cable would), which is more chance for noise interduction, rather than just HDMI. (sorry if my facts are wrong. Im pretty much a newb at this)

All your sources (except for vinyl) are digital, either as a digital PCM stream or in case of SACD as a digital DSD stream. The 2930 streams those untouched to the receiver, which applies AL24 and converts to analogue for your speakers.