Price Paid:  $45.00 from pawn shop

Summary:
I found this in a pawn shop in like new condition. for $50.00 you can't beat it. It is playing through an Adcom gfa 5500 amp and a pair of ADS L 780 speakers, good detail for a budget player. Great bargain at this price. Will keep it as a back up when I get my Rotel or Adcom player!

Strengths:
remote control, easy to read display, reads scratched discs well

Weaknesses:
sometimes makes a noise when loading

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
Great value for money, and if your looking for sound fidelity, not a bad choice in any case.

Strengths:
The DCD 425 is extremely hardworking - its served me well for 4 years now (I just got the lens changed after 4 years). It uses all kinds of CD and deals with the heat and dust of India well. Sound quality is goos and even, though I guess the fact that I use it with a NAD 312 warms the sound up a bit.

Weaknesses:
If anything, I guess the sound can be a little too bright. I dont use headphones, but if I did would have liked a headphone level control.

Summary:
I don't see why you would want to buy something like this except en-mass for a school or something. IT has poor sound and build quality. THey also break down very easily. I suppose the price is the only thing to sway you, but you might as well save up and get something worthwhile or look at technics CD players, they are better.

Strengths:
?

Weaknesses:
Build, sound, breaks easily (drive mechanism)

Summary:
A reasonably good budget player that sounds its best if partnered with warmer sounding electronics and speakers. Thrive under rock and pop music conditions, as it churn out music with excitment and speed.
Now that it's no longer under production, I will rate it a good buy if you can get it for a low price.

Strengths:
The 425 has a clear and exciting sound at a very affordable price. As it's a tad bright, it will be advisable to use warmer amplifiers and speakers to go with it. It also has a good transport and will play any discs that you can throw at it, including CDRs. Great for pop and rock music. Don't sound as good with classical music and vocals though, as the timbre of the instruments is not well brought out.

Weaknesses:
Can sound a bit too thin in the bass department, as many japanese CD players do. It does sound rather clinical and cold too, for certain recordings. My unit also developed an irritating noise after a year of use, in which the moto will give off a scrowl when you close the tray. The headphone socket lacks level control, much to my surprise.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha CDX493
Philips CD721

Summary:
When I bought the DCD-425 I had a basic JVC 2-channel reciever and a pair of Paradigm Mini-Monitors. But the Denon did not show its true abilities until I brought home a 1974 Macintosh Mac1900 reciever. as far as the sound quality went, I was amazed at what it could do for the dollar. If I would not have had any problems, I would not have replaced it until CDs where out of style. But after 3 months, 5 months and 10 months I had to have it serviced. Twice for burned out drive motors, and once because one of my sister's hairs took a dance with the motor. Audio Labs, of Des Moines, Iowa, Was mystified by the problem. They said they had never seen any problem with the unit, and Denon was not Aware of it being a problem.. But when the warantee was up and it started making suspisious noises again, I knew it was time for it to go away. The new owner is very happy with it.

Strengths:
For the dollar, it produced great clear sound, amazing highs, stellar mid-range, and good robust bass. It worked well and quietly.

Weaknesses:
Reliablity, I expected to be buying a piece of equipment that would go ten years before any serviceing was needed, not 3 months. Took it to the dealer three times before the one year warranty expired, then sold the unit for 100$. I am not 'rough' with my stereo. I did not abuse it.. It had problem with the motor for the Tray, all three times. Maybe I have bad luck, but I will probably never buy another Denon product.

Similar Products Used:
Am currently looking for a better CD-player.