Audiopurist

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from NJ

Summary:
I must agree, the sound of the DCD-1560 is a bit sterile, but still sounds better than a lot of players costing twice as much, even at today's standard. No surface mounted device is used in this player, so modification is easier and better parts can be installed. I've done just some basic upgrades, such as the op amps with the AD-826 - this makes a dramatic difference in sound - detail, clarity, dynamic and smooth. I've also relaced the resistors in the signal path with 1% metal film. The power supply is beefed up with additional capacitors for better filtering. I will be addressing the clock and a few more upgrades. Overall the player is solidly built and still sounds better than spending $1500 for one of the newer inferior models. I'll keep you updated on the next modification.

Strengths:
Built quality

Weaknesses:
Cheap op amps

Similar Products Used:
Denon DVD-3800

jukeboxtheater

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from ebay

Summary:
I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of Denon cd players (receivers and DVD players are another matter...). There's nothing offensive about their sound, which is typically sweet and unfatiguing with a detailed top end. However, sweet and unfatiguing can be had on the cheap. What I miss is that organic kind of naturalness that makes music come alive, such as can be had with similarly priced models from Rotel and Sony ES. I feel where Denon goes wrong is in the design of their analog sections which virtually always consist of single sided curcuit boards (Sony ES and Rotel use double sided boards) and cheap op-amps used in the output stage. To be fair, Denon's digital sections are typically very near the state of the art (though I have my doubts about the advantages of their "alpha processing"). To sum up, the DCD-1560 is a typical Denon cd player. It's sound is sweet and will not offend... but neither will it inspire.

Strengths:
sweet, unfatiguing sound build quality

Weaknesses:
artificial sounding

Similar Products Used:
Denon DCM-460, Rotel RCD-970, Sony X77ES

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Magnolia Hi Fi

Summary:
I put my last system together in 1990 and the DCD 1560 was part of it. I have just now upgraded my receiver and speakers but the 1560 stays. It still sounds very good and has had no mechanical problems.

Strengths:
Great Sound Quality of build

Weaknesses:
None

Price Paid:  $550.00 from HiFi Buys, Nashville

Summary:
I purchased the DCD-1560 as a demo unit on 12/31/90. It has performed without electronic flaw since. At the time I auditioned a variety of CD players and this was the best in my price range. I have been very pleased with my choice for over a decade and I have no intentions of replacing it.

Strengths:
I agree with others that this unit is built like a battleship. Has many bells and whistles that I have never used.

Weaknesses:
I noticed that a balky CD tray has been mentioned by other reviewers. I had a similar problem that developed in the last several years. Not only did it need assistance to close, I needed to press on the door for it to open. I just replaced the drive belt for a whopping $2.29 and now it works like a charm; as good as new.

Price Paid:  $300.00

Summary:
I sold Denon equipment at a high-end shop from 1898-1991, and I bought this unit then.
People forget Denon used to make items for radio production, which is why their players are so robust.
I still use it in my main system, no reason to upgrade yet.
In 1997 I ran across a place in NYC that actually had the polished wood endpieces in a back room. The wood went out of production since 1990.............!

Strengths:
Build like a studio piece of equipment, 20-bit chipset still excellent.

Weaknesses:
Remote is too directional(!)