[JTG]

I currently own a Denon DCD-1650AR from 1999.  The thing is a tank, but I keep reading about how far digital has come in the last few years, and I wonder how cheaply I could get a taste of this improvement.  Have we come so far that, say, a stock Oppo might do it?  If not, perhaps a cheap DAC?

[jon_010101]

Well, I just paid $175 to have my Denon DCD-1650AR repaired after a moving mishap (FedEx dropped it).  I debated going the modern digital route, but most modern units cannot compare with the build quality, even if the sound is "close".  Comparing with smaller DVD players, I find the Denon to be much more robust in construction, and more "expensive-sounding", with more midbass weight and a nice relaxed sound.  I'm sure new beast DVD players with good audio output stages, like the Denon DVD-9000 / 5910, Marantz DV9600, and Onkyo SP1000 would be better -- but I have doubts that any lower end players would be able to compete (at least, the ones I've heard cannot -- Toshiba, Pioneer, Panasonic).  Simply, the quality of power supply and output stage parts is much higher in an older unit like the Denon, and noise is reduced by eliminating the video circuitry.  And, did I mention how much better-built the Denon is

A better option may be to buy a new DAC (although the "good stuff" is typically > $1000), since the transport of the Denon is quite excellent.  Or, if you are after only CD listening, the Cambridge Audio 740C and 840C pack a lot of nice new tech into a fairly solid package.  If I weren't functionally broke at-present, I'd have gone this route instead of repairing my Denon.  But I don't think anything shy of $1k (new) is going to provide a worthwhile upgrade, and most will be a step-down in build quality, which is IMO as important as sound when it comes to a CD player.

[Toka]

I am extremely happy with my Oppo player. Did everything I wanted it to and more. They have a 30-day guarantee, so at worst you are out the shipping to give it a try. Either way you got a good deal.

[JTG]

First of all, thanks to both of you for your help.

Jon,

I share your enthusiasm for the build quality of our 1650s.  I'm not getting rid of mine in the foreseeable future.  In fact, I was originally thinking of using it as a transport with one of the handful of $500-$600 DACs that people love around here.  I'd assumed any of those would be an improvement, but if I really have to spend over 1K to get a benefit, I'd just as soon wait.

I mention Oppo because it seems to be the budget darling among contemporary players.  It's a longshot, but if any of the Oppos are better than my Denon, I can improve my existing setup at very minimal cost.  Meanwhile the overall quality and tech of digital players will continue to improve, and when I have the $1K+ to sink into a front end, it'd be money better spent.   

Toka,  good point about the 30-day guarantee.  I'm curious what others have to say, but if it's at least arguably better, I think I'll try it.

[JTG]

I forgot to specify that I'm only concerned with 2-channel stereo. 

[Gordy]

Russtafarian wrote up his very promising and inexpensive mods for the Oppo 980 here...  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=49807.0

[lifewithmusic]

I have several DVD players including a Denon 5000 (top of the line from about years ago), and an Oppo 981 Santa brought me a couple months ago.  The Denon is definitely built better than any player I have.  But for video there is absolutely no contest: the Oppo wins because it up samples and is just decent. A known flaw in it is that sometimes as you hit the play it doesn't engage the first 2 or 3 seconds of audio.  If you want to hear that, you have to back up.  The sound on the Denon might be just a titch smoother, including on CDs, but not by much. I have used the Bolder modifed Art DI/O with the Denon 600 as a transport.  It seems to be a great CD transport, and the modded Art is an imporvement over the Denon DAC on CDs, mostly in making the sound less metalic on the top end, smoother, and a little more refined in the midrange.  Downside of the Denon 500 is that there are few burned CDs it plays.  The Oppo will play anything you put in the drawer.

[No Hassle]

Keep the Denon. It is much better built and the sound is competitive today. It won't be an upgrade in sound quality.