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The only Denon DVD-3910 question never asked


I have question about my Denon DVD-3910 universal player. I searched the archives and there are 217 threads with questions and comments about this player, but I could not find even one on this particular subject. Yikes.

The DVD-3910 has two sets of analog outputs; multi-channel and stereo. I have connected my preamp (Audio Research LS-25) to the stereo output pair and it sounds pretty good. The player also allows connection to the L/R main channels of the multi-channel output with some set-up adjustments in the audio menu (channel “multi” to “2 channel”.) Has anyone compared these two output options and noted any sonic differences?

I know my curiosity will get the better of me and I’ll have to try both, but thought I’d ask to see if anyone else had tried this.

Rest of the system – Krell Showcase amp, ML Aeon i speakers, Meridian 568 processor, and miles and miles and miles of AudioQuest cable.

Thanks. Bob R.
rmrobinson1957
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Pop the cover and take a look. I suspect that the multichannel left and right outlets are hard wired to the stereo outlets. When I play a stereo disc on my 2900 the output is available via the multichannel interface. I don't even have the stereo interface connected.
aplhifi
515 posts
 
The dedicated Stereo/Stereo Mix outputs are the better choice because the analog conditioning (filter) circuit is better compared to the MCH outs.

The downside about this scenario is that some crazy MCH lovers can not use the higher quality Stereo outs for Front L+R MCH Hi-Rez playback.

Well, at least the DACs for all channels are the same in the 3910. The sonic difference between Stereo and MCH is not that big too.

Regards,
Alex
rmrobinson1957 OP
57 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. I intend to try a little experimenting with the different output options this weekend.
rwwear
2,883 posts
 
Denon says that the 2 channel outs are optimized for stereo on the 5910.
thedautch
329 posts
 
First of all, I appreciate the highly professional feedback on this thread! We got some big-time folks responding.

Alex and Kal (as well as others, of course)--would you say stereo outputs are *generally* better on machines you've worked with? I have a Pioneer 563A that Dan Wright modified, and I have trouble discerning the difference between stereo and just playing two-channel discs through the multichannel 6-cable output (all 6 are Analysis Plus Golden Oval RCA, with no cables hooked up at all to the stereo outputs).

Also, I wonder if machines that use FireWire (or HDMI 1.3, which is both SACD and DVD-A capable, right?) would vary from the stereo outputs. In other words, if I have a universal player with both a proprietary link (FireWire, HDMI, etc.) and stereo outputs, would it be better to use the proprietary link for all multi-channel AND two-channel listening, or use my Golden Ovals from the stereo output and the proprietary link for multichannel?

I realize this is a highly hypothetical question, and the answer may vary too widely from machine to machine, but any comments are more than welcome.

Brian
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