Need your thoughts on Denon 3910 vs McCormack UDP1

Bbeezley - JVB Digital is a place that can mod DVD players to add an SDI output for use with an outboard de-interlacer and/or scaler.

http://www.jvb.nl/jvb.asp?cur=2&level=sdi&page=browse&searchtype=brand&searchstring=Upgrade

I have never done this myself, but I have read about it a lot in the avs forum. It could cost any where from about $450 to $800 fot the mod, then you have to get an outboard Scaler/deinterlacer to process the video, and pass it to your display.

The nice thing about the iScan is that the new model has an SDI optional input, an HDMI output, and also a digital coax input that will time sync the audio with the video. Keep in mind that it takes time for the video to get processed, so the audio might need to be delayed so you don't hear things before you see them.

I'm completing audition of UDP-1 still frustrated that I can't listen to an Exemplar or other modded Denon. Background: I found the stock 3910 (compared to my Classe CDP .5 on redbook) detailed but uninvolving and lifeless.

Enter the UDP-1 5 days ago. Compared to the Classe, the McCormack has blacker background, better separation and resolution, and sl. clearer top-end. They have a similar lovely ease and lack of harshness or "digitis". While I would have to say that by any objective measure the UDP is certainly a "better" player, I was surprised that it didn't seem to get me any more emotionally involved or connected with the music than the Classe.

I would attribute this to the fact that my own system and brain synergies were already well matched with the Classe. It has left me, surprisingly, unlikely to keep the UDP. I was hoping that it would give me more tears-welling, toe-tapping emotion, but since it doesn't, I think I will keep using the Classe for redbook for now, and keep the stock 3910 for MC/HT, and continue to explore the possibility of modding the Denon.

On the video side, I compared the 3910 both HDMI and component out to the UDP-1's component only, with double copies of Two Towers to allow rapid side-by-side, and could see no benefit to the 3910 despite its superior spec sheet.

But I still somehow have to find a modded Denon to hear (Denver area) before I can see plunking down that kind of dough on the unknown.

Bbeezley: would you say the McCormack has a more 'robust' presentation than maybe the Rega Planet or Sony Xa777ES in redbook? How's the bass response, esp. mid-bass bloom? (How does it handle Cellos, French horns, Trombones, etc.)
And where did the other McCormack thread go???)

Re: Denver area Exemplar-modded Denon 2900

Check out the forum of the "Denver Audio Mafia" on www.audiocircle.com/circles. One of the guys there has an Exemplar-modded Denon 2900. Good luck - hope you're able to finally hear this player.

jdaniel - Yes I would say the McCormack is more robust, more "meat-on-the-bones" than the Xa777ES. I haven't heard the Planet in my system (but I might soon - good friend has one). I'm very sensitive to wanting bass that maintains articulation, and the bass of the UDP-1 is a perfect balance of being rich enough to satisfy with no bloat. so why am I returning it - because the same is true of my Classe CDP. My comparisons wre done mainly with female vocals, acoustic blues, and small jazz ensemble. Sorry no horns to comment on : )

Jsala - thanks for the Denver area tip! I had not been aware of that group/site.