Build quality, full function remote(track index), high-end look and feel, low price.

None, really.

I've had this product for about 1 year and 2 months now, and think that, in this price range, DENON hit the bull's eye with this CD player. Cannot find anything wrong with it. Build quality is superb, so is it's reproduced sound. Tonal balance is acurate, it has enough slam in the lowest octave, midrange is very detailed and natural sounding, highs are clean (that shimmering sound of cymbals!). It does everything right. One can notice differences in sound from cd to cd. That means it does not add it's own coloration. Otherwords, it is very transparent. Highly recomended. Before I purchased this one, I had auditioned ADCOM GCD-750, for a month. It looked and felt cheep, highs were too bright, also ADCOM was $251.00 more expensive. DENON was the right choice. Other components:ARAGON 8008ST,
DYNACO PAS-4, VonSchveikert VR-3, AudioQuest cabling.

Similar Products Used:

ADCOM GCD-750

If it was built better you would have to charge way more money. Features,fast transport search,a great transport too

price, but everything this good has its' price and this one is very fair. Sony ES has similar build too,so not so exclusive,but Denon has a killer transport to make up

This 1650AR I found makes a dandy transport too, along with its fine sonics alone as a CD player, the Denon 1650AR stays with you when you want to step over to a different DAC. I used my DAC in my Sony TAE-9000es, and I must say switching between the Sony and the Denons' own converter and analog outs, it is close but the extra resolution afforded by the Sony can't be passed up. Bass is on par with both. It is in the detail and the glue that holds the music together that the Sony just edges the Denon. I have the analog out attached too. I will most definately upgrade the interconnects for both Coaxial Digital output and the analog output. This machine continues to impress me with effortless performance either as a transport, and player. Its controls and actions never seem to labor. The 1650AR when it loads a CD is solid sounding and not clanky like my NAD. A quiet thump once the CD drawer is closed with a bit a class that high end players have. My Nakamichi OMS-5 closes slower but has more of a tinny mechanical sound to it when closes. Not the solid sound the Denon has. The dual transformers add weight to this guy too. I found also that you don't want leave this player/transport unplugged. Once plugged in and played immediately, the sound is not so great. Wait and let things settle and the sound is just terrific. Once again, I have no regrets with the Denon being in my living room. It is an amazing performer in the digital or analog connection. V.C.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel,Sony,Tascam,NAD,Nakamichi

Serious Impact. Great Resolution. Excellent bass extension. "One hell of a machine for the $$$" !!!

At 26 pounds the person carrying it home better not have any.

I recently sold my Meridian 508.24 cd player because I needed some quick cash. I had to replace it with another cd player soon or I would go nuts'. So I did some pretty intense searching for one. Listened to the Marantz CD-17 mkII. I did like it a lot. Then I discovered the Denon DCD-1650 AR. WOW!!! I researched into it and compared the two Marantz/Denon. The Marantz I found out is being discontinued.

There was nothing else out there that even remotely interested me; especially the Rotel mentioned below. I took a few machines home to try them out in the $1,000.00 price range. If you can find a Marantz CD-17 mkII; and if you like it, GET IT! It is a great machine.

I am greatful for all of the reviews below. They really influenced my decision to go with this machine. You all
have great taste! Thanks!

Similar Products Used:

Merdian 518 digital processor, Adcom GDA-700 (HDCD,20-bit Burr Brown D/A Converter.

Impressive build quality, 24 bit technology is a must if you can find it-it DOES make a difference, for the price A+

Display could be a bit brighter, I like very bright diplays,
no balanced XLR outputs, but other than that...no weakneses

First of all, I know these reviews are filed under the Denon DCD 1650 "AR" Model. I DO NOT have the AR...I was lucky enough to find a 1650AZ model..thanks to Vinh! and I cannot express how much "better" this player is than the U.S. Model. The AZ uses 24 bit processing rather than the 20 bit AR model. All I can say is that I've never heard a better CD player for under 2 grand. Brings out many of the nuances of the original tapes. Has a very warm tone, highs are rich, yet not harsh. Low end is superb and tight, especially from 40Hz down. Again, my favorite trait of the CD player is it's ability to sound very rich and warm, like a good Benz Cartridge. The 1650 AR and AZ are both very good units, especially for the money. If you are a harsh audiophile, this would be a great buy, but probably not your first choice....try a Mark Levinson.

If you're not up to investing thousands of dollars into a Mark Levinson or a Krell......the Denon is a no brainer..try it, you'll like it!

Here's my system just for kicks and grins!

Technics SL-1200MK with a ACE Benz Cartridge
Carver TX11a FM/AM Tuner
Carver C-1 Preamp (it's gotta go-too old)
Denon 1650AZ CD player
Denon DRS-810 3 Head Cassette Deck
Rotel 1090 Preamplifier (just bought it)
Rotel PB-1090 Amplifier
Monster Power 3500 Line Conditioner
Magnepan 3.6R's in an Oak Finish
JBL S-312's in a Cherry finish (for the money...great cabs)
Technics SA-DA10 Gold Receiver
Technics DVD-A10 Gold DVD Player

Similar Products Used:

Denon DCD 1520, Denon DN600F, Rotel 991(took it back)

Build, Low Level Detail, Good Bass, and Smooth Highs

Plastic Remote

The Denon DCD-1650AR is a wonderful player. Superior build to even higer priced Brittish units. I reviewed several demos at home with my Audio Research/Audible Illusions/Alon
set-up, and though I was reluctant to purchase a Far East machine, the Denon offered more for my budget (<$1500) than any other machine my dealer had to offer.

Clean, detailed presentation
Teriffic bass retreival
Sold build
Sweet mids

Highly Recommended, but there are better units out there for a great deal more money -

Similar Products Used:

Marantz CD63-SE, Audio Refinement, Ah Tjoeb

Ageless look, high quality built with the sound to match. Very analog sounding.

none that I can think of...just too heavy to carry home if you commute by train. Shop during the weekend using your car!

I have just got the latest generation of this product; DCD-1650AZ I have not auditioned the 1650AR, but I alway hear that it is another step better with a refined construction and processing algorithm. It now has a 24 bit Alpha Lamda D/A converster and I guess this is doing its job; The silence has this real airy feel to it and resolution is incredible. It is built like a tool, and it does what it is suppose to do...reproduce what was originally recorded.

You will be pround to own one when you get it.

In Japan, it sells for around 80,000yen...I got it in mail order for 73,000yen and I am happy man.

Highly recommended.

Exceptional clarity, resolution, accuracy, and value.

No volume control on remote ** see usage note**

Wow! After just about a year, I can't say enough about this CD. 4 Burr-Brownd DAC's, a superb chassis, and low-level resolution to die for. I run this CD with it's variable outs directly to a pair of Pass Aleph 1.2 monoblocks, and then out to Martin Logan SL3's. The amps and electrostatic speakers will display even the slightest shortcoming in the source, and in this case they display how awesome it is. I can an have spent much more on CD players, but can honestly say this is the best one ever introduced into my system. The fact that it is several thousand less than anything that comes even close is simply icing on the cake. StereoReview gave it a 'B' recommended component rating, but I believe thos audio-snobs withheld an 'A' based solely on the fact that it is made by Denon and retails for under $1,000. It definitely deserves an "A" recommendation!
BTW, I run from the variable outs directly to the amps. I do this to keep the signal path as pure as possible. Try this if your only source is this CD, and I think you will be surprised at the results.

-Skip

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson, Wadia, Classe

Superb clarity in all ranges, Great build

Nothing as of yet

I should first mention that I have the 1650AZ and not the AR. I guess they have not made it onto the US market yet. Thats to bad because those of you that loved your AR players are in for a treat. The newer 24 bit player is a big improvement. The extra 4 bits do wonders. I have only had it for about a month after trading in my old Bose AM 10's and my old Yamaha player and about $150. Needless to say I made out like a fat rat. If you can find a way to order this player from Japan you should do so because when and if it does hit the US market it will run much more. I have seen them here for 70,000yen(about $650 at the current yen/dollar rate). You can buy the AZ cheaper over here than the AR costs new in the US. I'll post again after I have spent more time with her.

Other Equipment:
Denon AVR 3300
Pioneer DVD 525
Audio Pro(Sweedish) Image 40's Towers
Audio Pro Image 21 Center
Audio Pro Image 11's Surrounds
Audio Pro B 2.27 Sub

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha(model number was not worth rembering)

Tonality, Lower bass, low level details

Immediacy

This CDP does not shy away too much from AR CD2 (currently class A in Oct. 2000) at all. Its low level details and tonality can match the best out there. Lower bass is very good too. I suspect it goes lower than my CD21?

Sweet and layback presentation is attractive without digital nastiness. But its pleasant tonality could be an issue of subjectivity to my own taste.

Dynamics are not as good as more expansive CDPs. The sound lacks the beefiness mainly in upper bass region. Most importantly, immediacy is a major weakness.

Build quality is good but not impressive. Its case should be a bit better. Side panels vibrate seriously when the music is loud.

Execution could be a bit more thoughtful. Shielding is a must for DAC chips to me. I didn’t see that on this CDP. Output stage and many parts could be upgraded for a much better sound. If Denon use better parts, I can see it compete and defeat other Class A CDPs.

Its performance/price ratio is great. I’ve been critical since I compare its performance and built quality with CD2 which is $3500 new.

CD sound is reaching its maturity now. IMHO, A 4Ys old $5K CDP “won’t” perform better than most current class B CDPs from Stereophile. “Perfect sound forever” could be an affordable reality soon.

Similar Products Used:

AR CD2

This is a very excellent CD player that deserves to be matched with"Stereophile" Class B components.
I'm using a Bryston B60 and PSB Stratus Gold i's and the sound is wonderful.
Cymbals were a problem for my old CD player, but listening to the gold CD
"Take Five" by Brubeck on Columbia, they are amazing. Voices and violins are
just wonderful on other recordings. This CD player is a buy.
Unlike the the Denon amp PMA 2000R which is a dog, this guy is great. Build
quality is very good. My old Denon DCD 1500 lasted 8 years of continuous use,
I expect this one will last as long.