[John Casler]

I have seen raves about the Denon 2900, but upon reviewing most of the key "parts" that go into making up the video and sonic qualities, I wonder if the 2200 at $629 might look and sound as good as the $999 2900.

Is it the transport??  Looks like all the chips and boards are mostly identical.

Who cares about "RS-232C" input?

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/products.asp?l=1&c=4

[Rob Babcock]

Hmmm...not sure what the difference is.  Looks a bit smaller.  I might have to look at that one too.

[Rob Babcock]

Info on the new DVD-2200 from Denon's site:

Progressive Scan DVD-Audio/Video Super Audio CD Player • Powered by the Silicon Image/DVDO PureProgressive (SiI504) Decoding Engine - highest quality progressive decoding engine available • PureProgressive decoding features high speed ultra-resolution DSP at 6 Billion Operations Per Second (6 GOPS)with 64Mb external SDRAM • 4 fields (2 frames) digital video processing for optimum motion detection and compensation • Accurate 2:3 pulldown detection and reconstruction, even with inaccurately flagged content • Optimum processing for film content, video content, graphics content and mixed-mode content • 12fps(Animation), Video overlay detection and processing • New 'Chroma Bug Free' Mitsubishi MPEG/DVD-Audio Decoder • Sony CXD-2753 Second Generation DSD Decoder • High resolution Analog Devices ADV-7300, 12 bit/108 MHz, 4:4:4, Video D/A Conversion system featuring Noise Shaped Video processing - interlaced and progressive output • 4x Oversampling Progressive and 8x Interlace output  • 2X DVD read speed; 4X CD/CD-R/CD-RW read speed; with 8MB drive buffer memory • Built-in Dolby Digital, dts, DVD-Audio and discrete SACD decoders with 5.1 analog outputs • Burr-Brown 24-bit, 192-kHz DSD 1791 Audio DACs that decode PCM and DSD signals discretely with no down-conversion of DSD  • Full Digital Bass Management for DVD-Audio, featuring Analog Devices Melody 32-bit processor; 80Hz crossover with 12dB high and 24dB low pass slopes; Adjustable delay time(0-15ms)and Channel Levels • Full Digital Bass Management for SACD; 80Hz crossover with 12/24dB slopes on all channels; Adjustable channel levels  • MP3 Playback • Plays Audio/Video CDs; DVD-Audio/Video; Super Audio CD; DVD-R/RW(conditional); Audio CD-R/RW; MP3 CD-R/RW • JPEG photo file viewer, Kodak Picture CD and Fujicolor CD compatible • 24/96 digital output; optical and coaxial • Zoom Controls • Pure Direct Modes to defeat unneeded portions of player for the ultimate in audio performance • Wideband relay switched component video output • Variable Black Level (Setup): 0 and 7.5 IRE • Passes below-black (PLUGE) on progressive and interlace outputs • 5 Picture Memories, with adjustable tint, brightness, contrast, sharpness and Gamma • SuperSub Alias Filter on Progressive and Interlace for Luminance and Chrominance signals • (1)Composite and (1)"S" video outputs • SRS TruSurround  • Remote in/out ports • Glo-Key remote control • Dimensions: 17.1"w x 4.0"h x 12.5"d • SRP $629

[JoshK]

I am willing to bet the differences are in the Power Supply.  So maybe the 2200 is the one for modders.

[wshuff]

I had not heard of this player, but I found this thread over at AVS.  I confess that I didn't read the whole thing, but it looks like the 2200 is using a different DAC.  I think, like Josh mentioned, that they also say that it has a different power supply, but don't hold me to that.  It was late.  Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294180

For the price it looks really interesting.

Even more interesting to me is that the 5900 is using Faroudja instead of Silicon Image, which is a reversal of sorts for Denon.  In the past, the lower priced entry level DVD players used Faroudja while the high-end pieces used Silicon Image.  The DVI out is interesting since it can evidently pass a 480p, 720p, or 1080i signal scaled by the Faroudja chip.  Unfortunately, it isn't active initially, but may be turned on at a later date.  That would be interesting to me, if that is, I owned a DVI equipped front projector.  Anyway...

[A8]

Wideband relay switched component video output

This indicates that the 2200 only has one 6 ch video dac that needs switching depending on selected outputs.

The 2900 has two 6 ch video dacs which gives the opportunity have it directly coupled to the component output and potentially output both component and rgb at the same time. The latter is probably only interesting for the people in euroland though.

I'd also agree that the power supply in the 2900 probably has more individual regulators whereas the different blocks in the 2200 probably share the same regulators.

[Ric Schultz]

The 2200 uses the DSD1791 DAC chip while the 2900 and upcoming 5900 use the DSD1790 chip.  These are very different animals.  The 1791 DAC chip has built in op amp that does current to voltage conversion.  The 1790 DAC has very high current out so you can use your own discrete I-V (current to voltage) converter.  The 1790 also has separate power supply feeds for both left and right current out therefore almost making it a dual mono DAC.....My sense is that the (custom made for Denon) 1790 DAC is closer in performance to the new superdac DSD1792 than it is to last years top of the line PCM1738 (used in Teac DV-50, Pioneer units, Lindemann, Sony XA models, Krell, Bel-Canto, etc.).  

I have played with the Pioneer 563 and have come to the conclusion that even modified it sounds veiled and compressed and slightly hard (so, am not modding it).  The Pioneer 563 also uses the 1791 DAC chip.......although you cannot really interpolate....I am, for the sake of time.....that the 1791 DAC chip MAY not sound all that great.....so, I have decided not to mod (at least for now) the 2200 and go directly for the 2900.   I will have one next week and should have mods worked up in a couple weeks hence....I expect good things....

Now, maybe I am completely wrong about the 1791 and maybe I will get into the 2200 but for now I have decided against it for modding.....you see I only want to mod machines that can get to a level where I feel excited about it....you know....machines that I could listen to all day on my very modified Icepower modules, using no preamp (just two resistors for volume) and very highly modified VMPS speakers.   I want really good sound.   I hope the Denon 2900 will accomodate....we shall see.

Now.....most of you reading are not interested in mods or modding, so it will be interesting when people actually A/B the 2200 versus the 2900 (both audio and video)....myself.....I am only interested on how good something can sound modified.   I am stuck in this tweaking rut you see....he he.

[Doug_B]

Ric,

Do keep us up to date on your mods. I for one am in the market for an audio-modded DVD player, so I'm very interested in your results with the 2900 and how that compares to your modded Pioneer universals.

Thanks.

Doug

[Ric Schultz]

Just started gettin crazy with the 2900.....I will say this, I have never heard this much info before!  However, I am using some parts I have never used, and have made the output stage dual mono as well as the DAC power supplies.  Lots more to do.  Should be done in about 2 weeks if all goes well.  I will have the info on my website then and post something in the manufactures forum.  I am going to push this thing very far.  I want it to be the best!  I want a universal player myself and so far this one is looking like the one.

[HChi]

Ric,
I will definitely be interested when your 2900 mod is completed. By the way, do you have a plan to mod 5900 as well?

Howard