John Darko
New from Denon, the DCD-1700NE: a CD player equipped with a proprietary ‘SVH’ (Suppress Vibration Hybrid) drive tray mechanism – that, as the name suggests, aims to suppress vibrations – and a range of internal components that have been “tuned by the Denon Soundmaster”.
Also on board is Denon’s “Advanced AL32 Processing Plus” circuitry that uses upsampling and bit-extending algorithms to work in tandem with an “ultra-precise D/A converter” to bring the best out of hi-res audio formats, including DSD.
Hi-res audio? DSD? From a CD player?
Now we come to our news story’s twist: the Denon DCD-1700NE will also play SACDs. And in the absence of rear panel digital inputs, this disc spinner will also decode PCM files (up to 24bit/192kHz) or DSD files (up to 5.6MHz) when read from a DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW.
According to Denon, the unit’s Pure Direct operational mode turns off the digital outputs and the front panel display in order to “reduce the source of noise that can adversely affect sound quality”. On rear panel audio connectivity, we note the presence of RCA analogue outputs and coaxial/TOSLINK S/PDIF digital outputs.
The Denon DCD-1700NE is shipping now for £1299, US$1499 or €1500 and is designed as a visual match for the PMA-1700NE integrated amplifier (released by Denon last year). Your choice of champagne gold or black.
Further information: Denon
