Denon DV-2200 vs 2900

Both units have the same bass management options so for SACDS and DVD-A I would say its a toss-up. Both units also convert DSD to PCM on SACD so that's about equal also. I beleive the DAC's used in the 2900 were better. Please be aware both machines vibrate quite a bit when playing the high rez formats. You can also hear it from a few feet away. The 2900 is better on video.

I agree with the reviewer who felt redbook was better on the 2200. Redbook on the 2900 was tilted up in the higher mid-range, very mechanical sounding and lacked warmth. SACD on the 2200 lacked the detail and soundstage that even a high end redbook would give you but it was warm and pleasant sounding. I thought it sounded better in multi-channel DVD-A and SACD than in 2 channel with the same formats.

I will admit the 2900 only had about 30 hours of break-in but that was also true for the 2200. I compared them head to using the same interconnects. I bought both units new at the same time. Both are lousy transports so I hope you plan on using another transport with your dac!

Good luck!

Avguru, thanks for the input. Actually, I was going to use them as transports - sounds like that may not be the best idea now. Maybe that old NAD in my second system or my son's Marantz would be a better idea. (He'd love a shiny new do it all player :-).

Sounds like you have considerable experience in this area and a fair amount of access to equipment. Any other thoughts on players in this or perhaps slightly higher price range (up to $750)? I'm starting to think that perhaps it's just not possible to do this right with one player and maybe I'd be better off with a higher cost SACD player and a total budget DVD-A player - since I don't have or plan to have very many DVD-A discs. Maybe something like a Marantz 8260 used and a total budget DVD-A unit. Use one of them, possibly the Marantz as a transport.

I love my 2200. I agree that the 2900 sounded "different". Also, for the money difference, the 2900 wasn't worth it unless you need more connections.

I don't have any vibration problems with my unit and the sound is spectacular. I wouldn't bother considering an external d/a unless you plan to spend big bucks.

Do I like this unit better than my old marantz with a CAL Alpha d/a-YES. The alpha was a bit warmer but overall the denon is worth the money. It plays everything quite nicely.

The only quirk/problem I've had is that sometimes it wants to wait/hesitates with some commands (ie if I push menu then decide to stop a disc, it will get stuck in the menu loop first).

I would take it over the comparable sony and pioneer units.