I puruchased the DCM390 even after reading quite a few posts about CD reading problems. The unit worked okay for the first two weeks of casual use, and then the 'CD reading' problem started (purchased CDs, not burned). No matter what type CD I insert, the player will read them until I turn it off and back on numberous times--maybe. I spent over 350.00 less taxes for this particular player and I'm totally disappointed--especially when the salesperson basically warned me about this model. He harped on Denon's 'eccentric' carousel operation and I didn't listen. He even recommended that I go with a Yamaha model for $100.00 less that offered good, if not better, performance. Shame on me. Well, it looks like I'm stuck with a $350.00 loss and an expense paper-weight. I'm taking it back to the dealer and see if I can get a replacement or have it repaired.

Not pleased with my PC CD player sound quality for "Blackeyed Pea". Went to Fry's to get this "floor-sample" for less than $90.00

Only used it at work so there isn't any other audio devices but direct listening through the Phone jack.

To truly appreciate the quality of this player, I've invested Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphone, which costs me almost the same as the player. :-)

The hi frequency is rich and with full expression.

The low frequency is full and "tasty" without breaking my ear drum.

The voice range is also hi-fi from listening MP3 tracks.

The remote came with the player controls the overall volume output through Phones jack. No other adjustment available.

Only had one bad incident when I misplaced a CD outside the disc "notch". The player won't play. I powered it off. Tried to open the tray several times and finally it opened. The player was back normal after I re-aligned the CD with each disk holds on the carousel.

Multi disc(good at parties)

Sound,quality

It's dead! Carosel doesnt work, first and last time I will purchase a multi-disc player. Good sound but most single players sound much better! Also from day one very noisy operation.

My second copy of this multi-disk CD player has failed!

Same problem described by other reviewers: laser pickup fails to acknowledge disk(s) present in slot, now carousel mechanism fails to respond to Disk Skip commands.

The laser problem first surfaced five months after purchase. Local store facility "repaired". Problem recurred seven months later, this time within days of end of warranty. Returned unit to Denon, Pine Brook, New Jersey. They returned it to me with exactly the same problems!!!! Sent it back. This time they replaced with new unit.

Now, that second unit has failed similarly, 21 months later. I guess that's quite an improvement.

Conversation with rep at Pine Brook confirms these "mecha" problems were characteristic of the DCM-280/380 series. Assures that the current models, DCM 290/390, are re-engineered: carousel mechanism and laser pick-up. He has handled no complaints about these newer models.

Rep claims that purchase of Denon by D&M Holdings has brought considerable improvement to company and products. However, Denon continues to operate its own engineering and manufacturing.

May take a chance on another Denon multi-disk changer because, with other reviewers, I consider the sound produced excellent. But this time I'll ignore Consumers Reports and buy a multi-year warranty!

Treble, mid-range, hdcd

changing mechanism, mid-bass and bass

I puchased this unit based on the good price and the good reviews of the dcm-370 (which is basically the same unit both internally and externally). I do most of my listening on a pair of Grado sr-60 headphones. The unit is of questionable build quality, almost immediately had trouble with the changing mechanism, it occasionally skips cd's entirely and is extremely loud. Besides that, I have never had a problem once the cd actually plays, it does well with both burnt and scratched cd's, never skips. The sound is rich, the treble is detailed and fluent (exciting.... its gets you into the music). It's extremely non-fatiguing, even on headphones. Voice and midrange are warm and of good quality. Mid bass and bass are okay, some detail in deep passages are lost - I don't know if this is the grado's or the player itself. HDCD's sound fantastic, try Dave Brubeck's time out, track 3 "take five" is amazing. This unit is a great deal if you can deal with the changer. This is my first experience with hdcd and I'm looking for more given my experience with this player.

Excellent sound and value in the convenience of a changer.

No dimmer on the LED display. It's bright!Random function takes time to decide what track it wants to do next.

Had this player for a couple of days and am still breaking it in. But even still: What a difference a dedicated CD Player makes over my recently-purchased Sony DVP-NC665P DVD/CD Player/Changer! The Denon produces cleaner bass, much more stable sound staging, and much less listening fatigue than the Sony DVD player. Have not tried the analog hook-up--only the digtal link. The innerds look solid and beefier than the older Denon changer I had.

Awesome cd changer between 200 and 300 dollars Excellent

None since it has been burning in with time

I already reviewed this product, but I've been using it for long periods of time, and it has changed the perfomance to outstanding, especially if you are using an Integrated Amp with this cd player. The next thing on my list is the Denon PMA 2000IVR Integrated Amp, I can't even imagine how that will perform. We will see when I will get it.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon Sony ES

Design Powerful More bass and treble HDCD

The front of the unit being plastic None

Hi, I just received the Denon DCM-380, and I am very happy with the performance of this player. Yes it was made in China, but I checked the inside of this player and it is Denon all the way. The only thing on this cd player that is plastic is the front and the cd tray. I cd's sound much better, and I still need to break it in before I get the best performance of this very nice player. As far as connection, for some reason when I hook it up Analog (Left and Right) it sounds awesome, but when I use Digital Coax, it doesn't sound as good as I tought it would, but this is another way to find out how good this player is, because Analog is better, and that is always good. Don't even try Coax on this player, it's not worth the try. HDCD sounds excellent, very very clean and hardly any hiss. Wonderful player for around 300 or less. You will not find a better cd changer at this price.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon, Sony

Very good sound for the budget-minded. HDCD decoding.

Impractical implementation of variable output.

I just got a used pair of Sonus Faber Concerto speakers and they sounded bright and thin with my Onkyo DX-C330 changer. In addition, the treble was too harsh and induced listener fatigue. So I replaced it with this Denon unit based on the many positive reviews of its discontinued predecessor, the DCM-370. Immediate improvement in the sound: the top-end harshness was gone and the mid-range bloomed quite a bit. Still not as warm as I'd like so I've ordered another single-CD player with a tubed output stage for critical listening, but this Denon unit is great for general use. This changer uses a Burr-Brown PCM1748 chip for digital to analog conversion. Though one of the least expensive DACs in the Burr-Brown line, it provides quite good sound for a budget CD player. I'm not sure what Burr-Brown chip the DCM-370 used, but one person I talked to was unable to tell any difference in sound between the two changers. Build quality seems fine, though the changer mechanism sounds and feels a bit flimsy. But at this price point, I'm not complaining. The remote is simple and functional. The DCM-380 has variable output, so it can be connected directly to your power amplifier. I did this and noticed an improvement in the sound (most noticeably in the upper midrange) from bypassing my pre-amp. However, I discovered that the volume control is not user friendly. First of all, the volume can only be manipulated with the remote. Second, each time the unit is powered on the volume control resets itself to full, which can make for an unpleasant surprise when you start playing a track. Also, as far as I can tell, the volume cannot be manipulated unless a track is playing. So you have to start playing a track first before you can turn the silly thing down. What bonehead made this design decision? Fortunately, the variable output at full volume is not near as loud as a pre-amp's full volume would be, but it's still annoying. I only have one CD encoded with HDCD: a Dire Straits compilation. I was able to discern an improvement in imaging and clarity (particularly in the vocals), but it was by no means a dramatic difference. Other system components: Harman-Kardon AVR 55 receiver (used as pre-amp) Aragon 4004 Mk II power amp Sonus Faber Concerto speakers ACI Titan II subwoofer

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo DX-C330 CD changer

HDCD decoding

Made in China, plastic facia, noisy changer mechanism.

I purchased this new Denon CD changer based on one positive review I read in CNET Electronic Reviews. I had just purchased a Denon PMA-2000R amp and was very pleased with it and wanted to get a "matching" CD player. Being a Denon, I assumed it was manufactured in Japan. I was shocked when the box arrived: it said Made In China. That upset me enough. I unpacked it and the unit's facia was made of plastic. I read the manual carefully. I hooked it up to the amp and was again disappointed over the noise of the drawer opening and turntable moving. Even before listening to a single note my impression was how cheaply-made this unit was. I expected far better from Denon and I certaily expected it to be made in Japan, not China. I am now looking for an older Denon CD player--even a single disc player, of the same quality as my PMA-2000R amp.

Similar Products Used:

Sony ES changer--ten years old and far superior