Denon 3910 alternatives

[HarryW]

Hello Everyone,

After spending months reading threads about you views both for and against the Denon 3910 I have decided against the purchase of this DVD player. Instead I will look for a DVD players (budget up to £400) and separate CD player (budget up to £400). The idea behind this is to basically find a compromise between CD performance, DVD performance and the introduction of HD DVD players in the next couple of years. Although I spend 70% of my time with movies the negative view of the 3910 towards music has put me off.

Once the new HD DVD players arrive (at a realistic price) I’ll put the “old” DVD player in the bedroom. Now I need some help on deciding what to buy. Please could you give my views on a decent DVD player and CD player integrating into the kit below? I have not purchased any of this kit yet but will be doing so once the AVR3806 is available. I’m partially interested in the performance of the new Denon 1920. Thanks for you comments and help.

Pioneer PDP-436XDE
Denon AVR 3806

Monitor Audio RS6
Monitor Audio RS1
Monitor Audio RS LCR
Monitor Audio RS W12

 

[Knyght_byte]

firstly let me congratulate you on your choice of speakers, they are very nice, i own the Silver S series (the ones that yours supercede) and am more than happy....

secondly, let me just say that i have a 3803 amp and a 3910 player...and it comes across very musically with the Monitor Audio Silver series speakers...

to be honest i suggest you sit and listen to it yourself in a demo room.....if you dont like it then go for a cheaper DVD player and a semi decent CD player...
remember, different speakers give different results with kit.....mebbe the 3910 is suited to speakers like mine but not others....i know i find it very musical......but if you dont listen you never know what you may have missed out on....

if u go for split combo, i dunno DVD-wise, i guess the 1920 sounds quite good, for DVD i would suggest the Cyrus CD6 (or whatever moniker its using atm, CD6v i think) should work well with your speakers.....give it a go....

but please listen to these things, dont just buy on a whim!!..lol


edit: btw, with your speakers, i very much suggest if you have room and budget that you get the REL Strata 5 as your subwoofer, and you get a pair of the SFX di/bipolar surrounds for movies but the RS1's for music surround...or at least try it.....sorry..am i being pushy here?..heh ;-)

 

[HarryW]

Hello Knyght byte
Thanks for your comments. I will at least demo the combination before parting with cash. In respect to the sub, The REL Strata 5 was my original choice however I hear that the Monitor Audio RS W12 is much better than its predecessor and integrates very well. As for the SFX’s, once again they where my first choice however the wife had a fit about mounting speakers on the wall. So the next best thing was stand mounted RS1’s.

Interestingly all three reviews done by the main magazines (Home Cinema Choice, What Video, Essential Home Cinema) on the Denon 3910 give positive review to CD audio.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

and the ones by Hifi world, HFN and other 'Hifi' mags are largely citical of sound quality

 

[Timbo21]

I have a 3910 & I think DVD-Audio is good on it, SACD pretty good & CD is okay. It really depends on what level you're after. It's a lot better on CD than some cheap DVD players. I find it quite an aggressive sound, which you may like...

However, I ended up buying a second hand Sony DVP NS900V DVD/SACD/CD player for £90 (originally £500). I bought it just for the SACD & CD, and must say it gives a much sweeter, & IMO, more natural sound, with better timing & seperation than the Denon IMO. The Sony got great reviews for sound. It's perhaps a lighter, more airy sound than the Denon. I think a lot will depend on the kind of sound you like, and quite a few 3910 owners recently defended the 3910 for CD replay.

There was quite a good thread titled something like DVD players for music, which might be worth doing a search for.

T.

 

[spl23]

I replaced an Arcam system (Alpha 8SE CD, Alpha 9 amp) with a Denon 3910 and 3805, using both with a pair of Monitor Audio MA202 floorstanders. I have to say that I really like the sound of the 3910 on CD - it may not be quite up there with the Alpha 8SE, but I'd really be hard put to notice the difference without a back-to-back comparison. I frequently find myself listening to a CD in the background on the Denon system and suddenly realising just how good it sounds. In contrast to Timbo21's view, I find the 3910 / 3805 combo very smooth and musical, not aggressive at all - I guess we're using different speakers. I like a nice laid-back sound, and the Denon / MA system delivers that in spades.

I'd really recommend a demo of the 3910, especially combined with the 3805, before dismissing it out of hand based on reviews. I've certainly got no complaints about mine, on CD, DVD or SACD.

 

[Knyght_byte]

mebbe denon test speakers during R&D on Monitor Audio speakers...i say this because it seems Monitor Audio owners like the CD replay sound...lol

 

[fabfour]

Have you listened to a 3910's CD replay? I use it as my CD player and am more than happy with the results. I think you'd be hard pressed to get a £400 player as good as it. But as you've seen opinions vary - those of us who have 3910's are usually happy with all aspects of the performance, while those who have chosen something else differ.

Try to get a week-end demo from a dealer.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

and those of us that have had them and go rid of or added a second player to suplement it. Best try a player against the oposition and find out the truth Replaced my 3910 with a £99 Philips 963

 

[Timbo21]

Replaced my 3910 with a £99 Philips 963

And you've regreted it ever since

And have you had that 963 SDI modded?

 

[Nic Rhodes]

Have 963 modded for audio, modded for SDI and straight Never regretted it.

 

[Timbo21]

Never regretted it.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

Use Tag DV32R, Tosh 9500, Philips 963 and now Arcam DV29 regularly together with various cheapies like Sammy 950, with the exception of the cheapies like Sammy all were prefered to the 3910. Give me a basic Sony anyday like your sony 900.

 

[Steve.EX]

It's about (if not) the best sd dvd pq i have ever seen.

 

[Timbo21]

Yeah, I still haven't checked out the pq on my pj on the 900... I'm still too busy listening to it's audio Mind you I'm a bit too scared to. If the picture via component on my pj is as good as the 3910 I'll have no reason for the latter boo hoo

 

[Timbo21]

So, how much do scalers cost for use with an SDI mod?

You know where this is leading....lol (I'm not going to sell it. Honest )

 

[Steve.EX]

Just to be clear. The 963 sdi (i fortunately use one) in conjunction with a suitable scaler has bettered anything i have seen cost regardless, HDMI/DVI regardless etc etc. I have owned and played with dvd players since the Pioneer 505.

 

[Timbo21]

Just to be clear. The 963 sdi (i fortunately use one) in conjunction with a suitable scaler has bettered anything i have seen cost regardless, HDMI/DVI regardless etc etc. I have owned and played with dvd players since the Pioneer 505.

Yes, but how much is a suitable scaler?

And does eating marmite help

 

[Knyght_byte]

and those of us that have had them and go rid of or added a second player to suplement it. Best try a player against the oposition and find out the truth Replaced my 3910 with a £99 Philips 963

but as you say that 963 was originally £500.....

so stop making it sound like you are comparing a £700 (current 3910 price) to a £100 player....cheeky monkey..lol

mebbe u shoulda listened to the 3910 on MA speakers, you mighta kept it...heh...

ok, forget talking nicely, whose up for a lynching of the 3910 hater???...LOL

just kidding btw for those who were warped by violent movies and games and are considering following my suggestion.....
*this disclaimer bought to you by [email protected]
*

EDIT: sorry, got the wrong person in the quote...lol....was Timbos player..heh my bad, been a long day

 

[Steve.EX]

How much have you got?
Seriously 1-2k buys you in. Rumour has it (Nic?) that a 1 or 2 new players (in the scaler market) are imminent.
Scalers and scaling is a pretty serious science and can be frighteningly complex.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

I would almost agree with that but I am having fun with an SDI modded DV29 as well now

 

[Steve.EX]

ok, forget talking nicely, whose up for a lynching of the 3910 hater??

See it how you like. The 963 sdi is so far ahead of the 3910 hdmi in terms of pq as too bring bile to my throat.

 

[Timbo21]

Seriously 1-2k buys you in.

Scalers and scaling is a pretty serious science and can be frighteningly complex.

The 3910 suddenly got a whole lot better

 

[Nic Rhodes]

I was the ONE who wanted the 3910 to suceed more than anyone so I feel I am the most disappointed of everyone. If the 3920 does what it needs to (re universal) I will be at the front of the Q. I still think it does some things better than any sub £1k player, unfortunately sound and video quality aren't these attributes. The matching receiver is great in my book however which makes things even more tricky. I wish I could call it differently but......mind you I remember saying similar things about many other products (good and bad) and now histroy shows....

 

[Steve.EX]

In real world, sitting in front of a 7' screen, terms is the Arcam (sdi) markedly superior to the 963?