Price Paid:  $800.00 from AUDIOGON

Summary:
THIS IS MY SECOND DENON MY FIRST WAS DCD 910 BOUGHT NEW AND STILL ON STANBY IF NEEDED. THE DCD S10 IS A HEFTY WELL BUILT PLAYER AND AS WELL AS SUPER RELIABLE IS EYE CANY AS WELL, I PURCHASED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO OFF AUDIOGON LOCAL SELLER, AND I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY SO FAR. IT'S A TRUE 20 BIT UNIT SO PLAYING GOLD CD'S AS WELL AS WELL RECORDED DISC'S IS A PLUS, I SOLD MY NAIM CD 3.5 AS IT WOULD SKIP ON ABOUT 2% OF MY DISC'S I HAVE OVER TWELVE HUNDRED CD'S AND I PLAY MUSIC EVERY DAY SO RELIABILITY IS A MUST, AND THIS BABY IS THAT FOR SHURE.

Strengths:
BUILT LIKE A TANK
TRUE 20 BIT D/A
FIT AND FINISH

Weaknesses:
NONE FOR THE PRICE IF YOU CAN SNATCH ONE UP DO SO YOU WONT BE LET DOWN.

Similar Products Used:
DENON DCD 910 STILL HAVE PS. IT'S 17 YEARS OLD AND STILL ROCKS.
NAIM CD 3.5 SOUNDED GREAT WHEN IT DECIDED TO WORK (SOLD) CHEAP


SYSTEM AS STANDS NOW
DENON PMA 2000R INT/AMP
DENON DCD S10
DENON TU-1500RD TUNER
EPOS ES 11'S WITH DETICATED STANDS / SPEAKERS
KIMBER 4-TC WITH WTB SPADES TO BANANA'S
Z SQUARED INTERCONECTS COPPERHEAD

Price Paid:  $700.00 from 2nd hand

Summary:
The thing that impressed me the most was the very cool looking chassis. But the sound was a bit above average- in high end terms. It rolled off the extreme highs on CDs. Bass was good but also a bit rolled off. Imaging and sound stage wasn't as precise and open as many other high end products- But I would do well witha few mods- new clock, capacitor upgrades, silver fuse, new op amps as the chassis is very large.

Strengths:
Build- XLR outputs - Volume control on the RCA ouputs- Digital i/o

Weaknesses:
Limited freq extremes (cuts off highs and lows). average sound stage.

Price Paid:  $2000.00 from Bay Area Audio

Summary:
A very nice cd transport. Prefect. =)

Strengths:
Resolution of individual instruments, dynamics, bass response and transients, clean highs.

Weaknesses:
none

Price Paid:  $1800.00

Summary:
Built like a tank, uses separate power supply for all critcal components, able to rival powerhouse from Krell, Classe, Accuphase...

When I saw this guy, I know I am in for a treat. The Chassis is awesomely constructed, the transposrt is held in place using a floating mechanism to minimize vibration. Denon famous Alpha process is ultilized to smooth out digital errors present on the CD format and the signal is pass thru 4 DAC for processing.

The result?

Absolutely smooth, clear, very involving high end sound. This guy is able to take on the most expensive Cdplayers head on!!! Imaging is spot on, timing is exceptional, midrange is clear, bass is tight....I could go on forever.

The Denon S-series stuff are not easy to come by, but if you really happen to spot one, give it a listen....you will be amazed!

Strengths:
Pace, timing accuracy, clean, powerful sound. Excellent built quality, good looks

Weaknesses:
None at this sort of price

Similar Products Used:
Krell 250, Sony XA5es, XA7es, Rega Jupiter, Meridien, Classe

Summary:
The Denon player is probably one of the sleepers of the industry and it is quite by accident that I discovered it.

The built quality of the unit is second to none, especially in it's price range. It will rival other players costing several times more.

The sound can be best described as 'musical'. The highs come across very smoothly, almost romantic. The bass is full and rich but may not be suitable for speakers that are bass heavy.

The soundstage is well layered and projects a wide listening window revealing its ability to define inner details that are an absolute delight.

I modified the variable outputs to include the balanced XLR connectors which I use exclusively.

The 2 volt output is sufficient to drive my amplifier directly through a pair of Cardas Golden Hexlink cables. And with this set-up, I retain the ability to control the volume from the remote.

Strengths:
High quality construction

Weaknesses:
Not suitable for bass heavy loudspeakers

Similar Products Used:
TEAC VRDS-20