General Asylum: REVIEW: Denon DCM-450 CD Player/Recorder by FRG7SWL

Model:	DCM-450
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$100-plus
Description:	Pitch-controlled entry-level six-magazine player from the early 90s
Manufacturer URL:	Denon
Manufacturer URL:	Denon

Review by FRG7SWL ( A ) on February 18, 2004 at 10:30:49
IP Address: 198.81.26.75

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for the DCM-450

Denon's DCM-450 cd player was one of their cheapest pitch controlled units. For vinylites raised on 33 2/3 r.p.m.(B.S.R. babies), regular cd players always sounded a tad too slow. Thanks to a Corey Greenberg review of Denon's DCM-2560 in Stereophile's February 1992 issue(he loved the pitch control but hated the unit's sound), knew what route to take to replace a slow-sounding Pioneer cd player. Through the line outputs, the 450 wasn't all that outstanding. Via headphone output, however, the 450 sounds spectacular! Replicated that Shure V-15 Type IV cartridge signiature these ears had become accustomed to. Finally heard that digital silence between tracks. Denon's DCM-450 is a budget reference source, just like Shure's V-15 series. You hear exactly what's in those digitized pits.

Product Weakness: Pro quality spindle needed if pitch control is used extensively
Product Strengths: Double Super Linear Converter to prevent zero crossover distortion; 8 times oversampling High Performance Digital Filter to achieve outstanding phase characteristics; direct digital output(negated when pitch control is engaged, but modifyable); DC headphone amplifier for faithful analog reproduction

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Marantz MR-235
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Dynaco PAT-4
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Yamaha P-07 turntable
Speakers:	Celestion Vintage 30s
Cables/Interconnects:	Radio Shack Monster Cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Blues, Funk, Jazz, Rap, Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 10 x 10
Time Period/Length of Audition:	11 years plus...
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Pro quality spindle needed if pitch control is used extensively
Product Strengths:	Double Super Linear Converter to prevent zero crossover distortion; 8 times oversampling High Performance Digital Filter to achieve outstanding phase characteristics; direct digital output(negated when pitch control is engaged, but modifyable); DC headphone amplifier for faithful analog reproduction