Chassis / construction, Video

Remote Control, No progressive scan output. Does not play CD-R discs.

Since my amp, Denon 5600 with DTS, does not have 5.1 input ability, I purchased the Denon for 24bit 192k two channel audio and a later receiver upgrade. No fault of the Denon, but none of the 8 DVD-A discs I purchased have 192k sound, only 96k. This should be an improvement on CD's 16 bit 44k sound, but I just can tell a significant difference between CD and and DVD-A on my system. Maybe my Klipsch Forte speakers are just not good enough to hear a higher sampling rate? But for my system, there is no advantage to DVD-A.

I did A/B comparisons between the CD and DVD-A versions of the "Buena Vista Social Club" discs. For CD, I used an el-cheapo Sony CD player connected to the Denon-5600 via optical digital port. I used high quallity monster cables for the two channel DVD-A mix between the Denon 3300 and the Denon 5600. I used a sound pressure meter and the 5600's input adjustment to make sure that the sound levels were identical. I did not perform a double blind test. I just went back and forth using the remote for the amp. With the DVD-A, I might have been able to get a bit more sonic depth, but I think it was a matter of me "wishing" it were so than really hearing anything significantly better.

Listening to the same DVD-A CD's on DVD-V players using the 5.1 DD mix was a much better experience than listening to high quality 2 channel DVD-A. Until I get a Denon 5800 which has 6 channel inputs, this DVD-A player is really a waste of money for me. I'm not convinced that even after I upgrade receivers that uncompressed audio is going to be any better than DD or DTS already is with my setup. I can play great sounding DTS CD's on my el-cheapo CD player which sound supperior to 2 channel DVD-A.

Under limited testing without doing an A/B comparison, I do believe that the S video output of the 3300 provides the best picture that I've seen over any of the 7 other DVD-V players I've used. But the fact that it does not have progressive scan outputs only means that I'd have to buy yet another DVD player once I purchase a Hi-Def TV with 480p inputs.

For me, at the present time, the Denon-3300 adds nothing significant to my audio setup. If you don't have a 6 channel inputs on your receiver, don't waste your money, but anyone reading this probably already knew that. The 3300 is going back to the store for now.

Similar Products Used:

No DVD-A, just many DVD-V

Sound and build quality

Midrange weight.

Dear

Reader


I will rate the DVD 3300 as an "Audio Only" product, and focus on this area of the units' capability.

Build quality and operation are outstanding. Denon had done great work regarding the DVD 3300, and must be commeded.

The DVD 3300 is a very fine sounding offering from Denon, and below are my findings on regular CD's.

Top. Extended and smooth. Not much missing here, but some more air would be welcome. Rating B+

Mid. Natural and open. Lack's weight, and air. A solid state issue. Rating B

Low. Great weight and slam. Not since my Oracle/Koetsu setup, have I listen to such deep full bass. Rating A-

DVD Audio takes matters to a new level. The sound is smoother, with greater control in the bass region. Not much in the way of Jazz DVD Audio, which is a major let down.

Below is my current setup.

Denon DVD 3300
Monster Cable M1000i
Classe CAP 151
Monster Cable M2.2s
Vienna Bach

This is not a state of the art system, but it is quite respectable.

In a nutshell, the Denon can hold it's own against the Adcom, Arcam, and CAL players, but is no match for the Krell.

I will base my ratings on a single box "Audio Only" unit in the 1K price range.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom,Arcam,CAL,and Krell

Audio quality is superb

Remote buttons too small

Outstanding sound, picture and quality for the price. Yes, these units can be found for <$500 if you look hard enough!

Similar Products Used:

None

Rock solid build quality, gorgeous sound with 2-channel audio as well as a beautiful picture.

I practically stole this unit for only $589. It is easily worth $700-$800 that they commonly sell for. It is an audiophile grade CD player that happens to be a fantastic DVD player. On the audio side, it produces righly detailed music with a big, beautiful soundstage. The chasis is different from the more mass market pieces from Denon. If you flip it over there are no holes with the internal components snapped into them like most players. Instead it is an expensive-feeling composite that reduces internal vibrations. The unit is heavy and feels like a solid block. The drawer is fast, smooth, and quiet and it is made of an interesting material that feels like a ceramic. The remote isn't great. It fits in your hand well - if you hold it backwards. You should get a progamable remote anyway. The video quality is top-notch. It isn't progressive, but demo it next to a high quality progressive scan and you will be shocked. There is very little difference and on certain discs the 3300 is actually superior. Overall, it is the quality/price dominator in my book.


FYI: when a compenent becomes available on ubid (as some refurbs of the 3300 did) beware of the reviews during the period that they were selling. Certain factors tend to taint the reviews.

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Rega Planet, Toshiba 9200, (many others)

Audio and ease of use

none

Just got it today and everything I've read about it is true too the max. The sound quality is awesome and the little extras are great. I’ve yet to tweak it to my specific wants in video and audio but will do that when I have more time. I’m sure glad I did my homework right this time in choosing a quality player, and getting it at such a good price was quite lucky on my part. Looking Good.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVD-560D

Built in DAC's, decoders & bass management

I have had this unit since day one. Have only used 2 channel till a week ago. 2 channel is fine in a mid to hi end system. I have just purchased a 5.1 Pre-Amp (YBA Audio Refinement PRE-5) and have done some critical listening. I would have to say that I am extremely happy with this unit. I paid 1000.00 and feel it is worth all of that. A steal at todays discounted prices. No need to spend money on a pre/pro avr. For hi end go with one of the new crop of 5.1 pre-amps and seperate power amps. Denon has built in the DAC's and decoders along with bass management. Remember this is a DVD-A player. DVD-A provides 5.1 channels of FULL range audio. With this in mind, you can build a truly dynamic system using full range speakers up front and for the surrounds.
My HT system:
Denon DVD-3300
YBA Audio Refinement PRE-5
Aragon 4004MKII (5 amps)
Paradigm Ref Studio 100 (2 pairs vertically bi-amped)
Paradigm Ref CC
Paradigm Ref Servo-15 Sub
AudioQuest Coral interconnects
Monster Cable M2.4

Make no mistake...this will get you evicted.

Great audio! Looks like a well made piece.

Frequent video breakups and freezes.

Like another user below, I've been having problems with DVD play in my unit (also a month past the warranty expiration!). DVD-Audio discs play flawlessly and sound great, but video play is erratic at best.

I've tried a lens cleaner, but I still get frequent pauses in the video (picture breaks up into squares, like DSS sometimes does) and full-blown player lock-ups. On a few discs, like Castaway, my player will frequently not even read the disc. Even though it's a new/pristine disc, my 3300 will frequently give me a "no read" error and an on-screen message that I need to insert a different kind of disc. If it does read the disc, my 3300 will sometimes choke and freeze up on the disc's start menu. If this happens, *no* buttons respond and I've got to pull the power plug to unlock the unit.

My erratic video playback has been since new, but I assumed it was just very sensitive to disc imperfections. But, the problem has gotten worse over time and I've read other posts (on other HT forums) from users with similar issues.

I guess it's time to visit a repair center and hope for the best...

Nice sound, good picture, 2 RCA analog outs, decent headphone amp

Price, reliability

First of all, a bit of advice. Don't buy newly introduced models. Try to pickup a older model that matches your needs -- you'll save a bundle like the most recent buyers have. Now for my two pesos. Up until a week ago, I had no complaints. Beautiful picture, quality audio. Unfortunately, one month out of warranty, the dang thing has developed some sort of heat problem. After anywhere from a half-hour to hour the units starts to stutter and skip until it completely locks up. This happens with both DVDs and CDs. If I power off for an hour the player picks right up at the same spot with no problems. It's well ventilated and I've made no changes to the system setup. Tried two lens cleaners with no luck. What a waste of moderately hard earned cash.

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pioneer 525

It does what Denon says it does and does that well.

Easily purchased by idiots.

As a follow up to my earlier review I would like to say that this piece is of high quality.It performs as advertised
by Denon and has no hidden features that people seem to think that it should have.The audio is superb and as the reviewer below states,there's no going back to CD's in stereo after hearing the DVD-Audio yielded by a good recording.I highly recommend the DVD-3300.
I might suggest that you consult www.Denon.com and read the specs before buying so that you know what this player has to offer.It will not play your VHS or cassette tapes.You can read can't you William Fold?

Audio and build quality are excellent.Component Video capability,versus audio only units. Remote is versatile.

Bass management is non adjustable, ineffective on DVD/A.

While I've only had the unit for a short while, I've been able to put it through its paces with a variety of discs, including CD's, DVD/Video and DVD-Audio. Listening was done primarily with the "audio only" feature activated (which turns off the video circuitry for reduced noise and interference)through the 6 channel analog input on my AVR3300.
On Warner's DVD-A reissues of Fleetwood Mac "Rumours", the smooth detail and bass quality was surprising for such an early pop recording. On classical recordings the sense of "air" and "space" were clearly superior to CD(perfect sound forever?). I've got are the stereo 96/24 recording of Leonard Slatkin and the St Louis Symphony performing Mussorgsky's Pictures of an exhibition and Rimsky Korsakov's Sheherazade. With 6 channel 96/24 recordings of Barenboim/Berliner Staatskapelle performances of Beethoven #5 symphony and the Mahler 2nd, I finally understood all the fuss about multichannel recordings -I was transported me into the concert hall. The 2 channel sounded almost "flat" and two dimensional by comparison.
I understand that the DVD-Audio is only available through the analog outputs, as a result of the copy protection configuration; however, the D/A converters in the DVD3300 are excellent, and comparable to best I've heard.
I don't understand the negative comments regarding the remote control. I find it excellent in that I can use the one control for all my home theater components. Something that I've wanted for a long time. Highly recommended!

Similar Products Used:

Denon DVD3000(Stereophile Class AA rated in '99)