The OP asked how the XE1 compared to a similarly priced Denon (presumably the 2930). Mr. Bishi suggested it was a no-brainer. I posted a list of 2930 features not present on the XE1. Some, or all, may be important to the OP.
Bass management is broken. Nothing to do with the -10db LFE non-issue. I have tried it myself - select small speakers with an 80hz crossover and say bye-bye to all bass from the main channels. It is not re-directed to the sub, it simply disappears.
The 2930 does have a lip sync feature. Whether it's any use to me or you is irrelevant. The 2930 has it and the XE1 doesn't. The XE1 has lip sync issues.
The remote is poor. All those tiddly little buttons - lit or not, they're tiddly.
As I said, the Denon remote isn't brilliant but it is a lot better than the XE1.
City fan: If you can light up the remote without finding it, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.
I just thought of something else - the XE1 doesn't do slow motion or frame advance. If it actually can do this - what have I missed?
The XE1 has a damn good HD and SD picture - that's a no-brainer. It has issues as a mid-price SD player as it is *very* light on features at this price level. I cannot compare the SD picture with a Denon 2930 as I don't have one. I do have a Denon 3910 and a Pioneer 989. The XE1 is better than the 3910 by a good way but no better than the 989. The 2930 has the same Reon chip as in the XE1, as far as I can tell from the Denon web site.
So, if you're looking to spend 500 quid on a player and don't care about HD, the XE1 is not the only option.