Question Denon 3910 not reading SACD multi channel discs

[nevC]

I recently picked up a Denon DVD-3910 with the intention of using it for SACD only as my current player is old and the format is not supported on most modern players inluding my Panasonic Blu Ray player. It's a dead format, but for me it's worth having an SACD player just for Pink Floyd's two multi-channel albums, though I have a few other good discs too..
The Denon 3910 plays DVDs and CDs perfectly and even plays a non-hybrid stereo SACD, the 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou' soundtrack. But with multi-channel discs it just displays a timer display 00h00m00s.
After a Google search I suspect that I might need to replace the laser. As this was a well regarded machine there may be users here who have encountered the same problem.
Any help much appreciated.

 

[pcourtney]

are you using HDMI connetion to your amp ?
or are using the cat6 cable ( Denon Link 3 ) to connect your 3910 to a Denon amp like the AVR-3805

 

[gibbsy]

It's a dead format,

Far from it my friend, far from it.

You have to toggle between CD/SACD stereo/SACD multi for hybrid discs. With nothing in the tray and closed select the SACD layer you wish to play. Open the tray and insert the disc press play with the tray still open.

If you hear the disc spinning and making attempts to read. If it's not then it could be a laser problem or alignment problem. Worth having it looked at perhaps or maybe an easy fix if you feel capable.

 

[nevC]

Thanks for the replies. The player doesn't have HDMI so I was using five RCA cables which had worked with my multi-format player.
I will set it up again and follow those instructions. I think I remember that it sounded like the machine was trying to read the disc (a slightly louder whirring noise).
At least CD does sounds great with it but, as Dark Side Of The Moon and Wish You Were Here already sounded fantastic from my multiformat player, I would expect them to really shine from the 3910 so it would be worth pursuing further.

 

[Jase]

Thanks for the replies. The player doesn't have HDMI so I was using five RCA cables which had worked with my multi-format player.
I will set it up again and follow those instructions. I think I remember that it sounded like the machine was trying to read the disc (a slightly louder whirring noise).
At least CD does sounds great with it but, as Dark Side Of The Moon and Wish You Were Here already sounded fantastic from my multiformat player, I would expect them to really shine from the 3910 so it would be worth pursuing further.

It should have HDMI. The HDMI socket is in the middle of the rear panel above the DVI socket.

It could very well be the laser assembly alignment. My DVD-A1XVA does exactly the same thing with multichannel SACD discs like Dark Side of the Moon yet will play everything else. It used to work perfectly then just decided one day to stop reading them (out of warranty of course).

 

[nevC]

Cheers for all the advice. I followed those instructions and could hear the machine whirring, like it was trying to read the disc. It seems like the same problem that most or all 3910s developed.
It does have HDMI but doesn't output multichannel through it. I don't think the player can output multichannel through Denon Link either.
I think I will have it looked at but even if it isn't viable to fix I still have an excellent CD player.

 

[gibbsy]

It's still a fine player. It may be worth taking to a qualified repairer and getting an estimate. Pretty obvious it's going to need a new laser assembly so an experienced repairer should be able to give you a ball park figure without even taking the machine in.

Prices on the secondary market have gone crazy for multi channel units. I have a DBT-3313 tucked away as my 'just in case' replacement and it's value has tripled over the last year or so. The availability of new units is the lowest I've ever seen it with just Sony in the market now.