John Darko
Denon has announced the DCD-3000NE – a new ‘Reference Series’ SACD and CD player – that will read SACDs, CDs, DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW discs. According to the Japanese manufacturer, the new model “provides pristine SACD/CD and DSD playback via a 384kHz/32-bit DAC, a high-performance master clock and 7th Gen Ultra AL32 Processing.”
‘Ultra AL32 processing’? That’s Denon’s upsampling algorithm. It moves all data read from a disc to a higher resolution of PCM (up to 24bit/384kHz), ready for feeding into the unit’s 32bit/384kHz-capable DAC circuit. It does this by interpolating additional data points, not for the sake of it or to hoodwink less technically-minded customers but to move the digital filter further away from 20kHz, the upper limit of the audible band. The press release doesn’t say if the DSD data pulled from an SACD is resampled to hi-res PCM and decoded by the DAC or directly via a separate low-pass filter.
The DCD-3000NE additionally features Denon’s patented Suppress Vibration Hybrid (S.V.H.) system to tame vibrations within the disc mechanism and associated audio circuit. According to the press release, the DCD-3000NE “loads quickly and spins precisely”.
And for those wanting to squeeze every last bit of performance from Denon’s new flagship SACD/CD player, Pure Direct mode will disable the display and digital outputs (TOSLINK and coaxial) to leave only the single-ended analogue RCAs in play.
The Denon DCD-3000NE begins shipping this month and will sell for €2500, US$2999 or £2200. Your choice of silver or black.
Further information: Denon
