DVD-Audio quality on Denon DVD-1200 vs. DVD-2200? Has anyone compared DVD-Audio sound

[KeithH]

Has anyone compared DVD-Audio sound quality on the Denon DVD-1200 versus the DVD-2200? I am interested in a DVD-Audio player for a stereo system. There is no TV in the room, so video performance is not a concern. Furthermore, I have dedicated SACD players, so SACD is not needed in the new player. Also, I have several CD players in the system, so I'm not concerned with how the '1200 and '2200 compare with CDs. Finally, this is a stereo system, so surround-sound performance is not a consideration. So, how do the '1200 and '2200 compare with stereo DVD-Audio? Tweeter currently has the '1200 for $350 and the '2200 for $600. Given my needs, is the '2200 worth the extra $250? For what it's worth, I would be mating the player with an NAD C 350 stereo integrated amp and Energy e:XL 25 speakers. Thanks!

P.S. Regarding a TV, I have a 13" set that I can hook-up to the DVD-Audio player to navigate menus. However, I don't have a large TV in the room and would not be using the player for movies, so picture quality is not a concern here.

[Gardo]

The review of the 2200 in the latest Sound and Vision has test results that suggest the specs are up to a high level--but of course the specs are only a starting place and some ears need to get in the picture as well.:)

I got a discontinued model, the DVD-1600, for 300.00 about six weeks ago and have been very pleased with the DVD-A sound on stereo and surround. Crutchfield may still have a returned unit to sell from their outlet.

[KeithH]

Gardo, thanks. I've read a lot of high praise regarding the performance of the '2200 and '2900, but nothing about the '1200. I'm sure the '2200 is a good component, but I'm wondering if the '1200 is good enough for my needs.

I thought about getting the '1600 from Crutchfield when they were blowing it out. Perhaps I should have. They may have an open-box unit, but I'd rather get something brand new.

[JohnG]

I can't wait till Denon's 5900 player comes down in price a bit.

It's still a little steep for me.

[Gardo]

Originally posted by KeithH
Gardo, thanks. I've read a lot of high praise regarding the performance of the '2200 and '2900, but nothing about the '1200. I'm sure the '2200 is a good component, but I'm wondering if the '1200 is good enough for my needs.

I thought about getting the '1600 from Crutchfield when they were blowing it out. Perhaps I should have. They may have an open-box unit, but I'd rather get something brand new.

I considered the 1200, especially because its bass management was supposed to be a little more sophisticated than the 1600's, and because there have been some QC issues with the Panasonic guts that are inside the 1600. The 1200 is supposedly more proprietary to Denon.

I decided to stick with the 1600 because the reviews I read of the 1200 suggested its video quality was significantly below that of the 1600. (It's got the Faroudja chip but an inferior MPEG decoder, apparently.) DVD-
A quality seemed to be comparable Since the 1200 was considerably more expensive than the 1600, I decided not to pay more for a step back in performance.

I've been very, very happy with the 1600 so far. Sounds fine on DVD-A and has an eye-popping picture.

[KeithH]

Gardo, everything I have read about the '1600 says it's an awesome machine. I'm just hoping that the '1200 is comparable. I saw it at Tweeter the other night, and it is a lightweight with a small footprint. That concerns me. The '2200 is heftier by comparison, which is to be expected giving the difference in price.

By the way, I have the '3800 in my main system and absolutely love it. I use it almost exclusively for DVD-Audio, but it's a quality all-around machine.

[Gardo]

Originally posted by KeithH
Gardo, everything I have read about the '1600 says it's an awesome machine. I'm just hoping that the '1200 is comparable. I saw it at Tweeter the other night, and it is a lightweight with a small footprint. That concerns me. The '2200 is heftier by comparison, which is to be expected giving the difference in price.

By the way, I have the '3800 in my main system and absolutely love it. I use it almost exclusively for DVD-Audio, but it's a quality all-around machine.

Well, the 1600 is quite the lightweight as well (one of the few complaints on the 'Net about this machine), but otherwise it's aces so far. Plus it has a headphone jack, which for some reason I'm always happy to have.

Best of luck with your quest! Don't forget to lobby for "more leisure for artists everywhere."

[KeithH]

Gardo, the '1600 is light, but the '1200 is really light. It weighs in around 5 lbs. I believe the '2200 is around 12 lbs. Truthfully, the difference in weight may be primarily due to differences in the casing. I don't know what's going on under the hood.