Denon DCD-720 AE

Data

General

• Manufacturer: Denon
• Model: DCD-720 AE
• Years of manufacture: 2012 - present
• Made in: China
• Color: Premium Silver, Black
• Remote control: yes, RC 1173
• Power consumption: 22 W (operation), 0.3 W (standby)
• Dimensions in mm: 434 x 107 x 279 (W x H x D)
• Weight: 4,2 Kg
• New price approx.: 400 €

Connections

• Number of inputs: 2

USB (front panel) for MP3 files, Ipod devices - up to 320 Kbps (MP3), 192 Kbps (WMA) Denon system bus - (connection to amplifier, receiver from Denon possible)

• Number of outputs: 4

Line Out (Stereo Cinch): 2 V Digital (Optical) Headphone output, adjustable Denon system bus - (connection to amplifier, receiver from Denon possible)

Specifications

• High-precision new 32-bit, 192 kHz - Burr Brown D/A converter

ALC 32 processing (processing of analogue signals) DAC master clock design as in larger Denon CD players,

• Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz

Frequency response: 2 - 20,000 Hz Dynamic range: 100 dB Signal-to-noise ratio: 112 dB

• Total harmonic distortion: 0.0025% (at 1 kHz)
• Channel separation: 105 dB
• CD-Text: no
• MP3 support: yes
• WMA support: yes
• Pitch control: yes
• Auto play: yes
• Shuffle: yes
• Title programming: yes, 25 titles
• Repeat: Title, Album, A-B
• Plays CD-R/CD-RW/SACD/ MP3- CD, WMA- CD

Special Features

• Display dimmable,
• digital- optical output (Toslink)
• Front panel made of brushed aluminium
• Device bottom provided with extra metal plate - vibration damping
• device largely made of metal

plays also MP3- WMA- files, some keys of the remote control are provided for it USB input on the front panel including iPod/iPhone/iPad audio playback.

• Pure Direct mode for highest demands on sound quality: other "lines" are switched off
• Pause mode: device switches off after some time of non-use

Plays MP3 CDs and WMA CDs, so that certain purchased CDs can be played in MP3. Plays also SACDs

Reports

• Stereo 11/2012: sound level 44%, price/performance: 4 stars, excellent. "Subtle, very coherent and unobtrusive sounding, pure CD player at a reasonable price with good, contemporary features (USB jack) and top workmanship for the class."
• Audio 9/2012: Sound: 90 points, top class, price/performance: very good. "Plus: Very natural and musical sound, crisp bass. Adjustable headphone out. Minus: Only one digital output."
• Home Electronics 11/2012 (Unscored): "...It was not only able to draw a huge stage, but to adequately reproduce details with impressive precision. ...“

Comments

• Other models in the same series:
  • Denon DCD-520 AE
  • Denon DCD-720 AE
• This unit is similar in many ways to its predecessor, the DCD-710 AE. Notable difference is a new converter, which also comes from Burr Brown (see above).
• Predecessor model: Denon DCD-710 AE
• Successor model: none yet (as of 3/2018).
• The remote control is matched in color to the models: Silver and Black. It is quite clear and easy to use. The smaller model Denon DCD-520AE also has it.

The equipment was tuned like others of the AE-series for the European market musical-soundwise - Denon refers several times to it.

• The design of the Denon DCD-720 AE matches exactly the design of the amplifier Denon PMA-720 AE and the network player Denon DNP-720 AE sold at the same time.