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Need your thoughts on Denon 3910 vs McCormack UDP1

I'm a 2 channel fan who has just expanded to 5.1 with all McCormack electronics, with which I am very pleased. I just bought the 3910 over the UDP1 because of probable better video, more connection and adjustment flexibilty, and lower price.

Early impressions of the 3910 sound quality leaves me unexcited. It just sounds generaly mid-fi, when compared even to my 6 year old Classe CDP.5 which kills it for musicality.

So my options are either trade it back within a week for a UDP, which everyone that has heard it seems to rave about, and accept the no DVI/HDMI, less controls etc. Or eventually send the 3910 in to one of the major mod places, which everyone seems to rave about, and hope it sounds as good as a UDP.

My main frustration is that it seems I have to make this crucial decision without any possible way to actually compare the sound of a UDP to a modified Denon - what would you do?
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jsala
99 posts
 
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.
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bbeezley OP
13 posts
 
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.
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ladycharnet
59 posts
 
My late thoughts: The McCormack has served me well for SACD and I think it still is a winner today. Funny thing, I have an old Sony ES, not a top of line one, but just a bit over the “Best Buy” quality; nevertheless, this output optical to my ARC DAC 3, the little player, as transport blows away the McCormack when ran direct to my ACR pre-amp! Now the McCormack ran with a good coax does hedge out the old Sony, but not by much.
Again the quality is subjective, while the ARC DAC 3 is very dynamic, the McCormack with two channel SACD has a more laid back sound and many might prefer it for soft jazz.

I have two Denon AV, the 3801 and 4802, which is one of the best Denon made in a receiver, amplifier wise, other than their top 5800 models
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