Denon DVD-A1UD/DVD-A1UDCI Blu-Ray/DVD/SACD/DVD-A/ Universal Player - Page 97

Well leds do fail from time to time, its not bizzare , but they never come on with firmware updates.If they don't light , it's either them or the driving circuit.

Just received my Denon DVD-A1UDCI.

I actually got 2 of these units at the same time, so if I decide to use the 2nd in another system. Will keep the 2nd unit boxed until I may use it.

Wow - compared to my Oppo83 SE, this unit is so well built.
And that CD tray moves like butter!

I know I will enjoy playing with this one for a long time.....

Congrats! I'm sure you will love it.

Your warranty started the day it was paid for and it would be a pity if you found, some time down the road, that there was a problem with the unit. I suggest you unbox it now and use it for a few days.

Congrats on your new players , enjoy them , as much as you can.
I sujjest open the second one too , and check it out , along with the first, also install any firmware updates , that the players might not have.
It's the safest way to go.
Enjoy.DENON.

The other, more probable (to me), failure mode is the firmware. LEDs are very reliable but it would be very easy to have a bug in the firmware that "forgets" to turn on the LED. I'd wager that if I open the unit and tested the LED it would be fine.

Regardless, it doesn't affect the real performance of the player so I'll live with it.

- Joe

Well no, if it was a bug we would all face it.Don't you think?

Not necessarily. Given the range and complexity of configurations, inputs and output, there could easily be a setup case that only a few of us are using that is "fooling" the firmware. (I first noticed the 2nd LED fail when I was switching monitor outputs in order to get the third LED to come on.)

I would be more apt to believe a bad LED if the other people with the problem had one of the other two LEDs fail. I guarantee they all come from the same reel in manufacturing. Maybe if I get some time this summer I'll dig into it a bit deeper.

- Joe

I have sent my DVD-A1UD to the Denon Service Centre to fix the problem with the second blue LED not coming on. Will post the diagnosis.

Totally separate matter- I downloaded this morning the most recent fw update and it installed just fine. However, I got a nasty surprise when I found out that the update reset the player to the default (Code 3) DVD setting (it was multi-code before). I think this is the first time this has happened to me through very many successful firmware updates. So please be mindful should you install the most recent fw update.

Just as well that the Denon Service reps came to pick up the A1UD this morning- they now have two things to fix in one go!

Have any of you owners had a chance to compare this machine to the Marantz flagship?

Do any of you have any regrets at having purchased the Denon. I'll be replacing my 5910 soon (Finally!!) and would apprediate any thoughts.

I've been following this thread from the beginning, so it is exciting to know I'll be upgrading soon.

Also looking at the Ayre.

I went to the Denon web site to get any new firmware updates on my new A1.
When I put in my serial # it said either invalid serial # or no firmware available.
My unit states it was made in Jan 2010.
Does that mean my unit's firmware is up to date?
Thanks!

I think there is a fw update, we have installed it , well, most of us.

Anyone have any idea what this most recent update addresses?

Per the Denon Japan website (Live Search translation)

"2010/06/03

(1) Has been improved in certain Blu-ray disc analog audio output.
(2) Has been improved in certain Blu-ray disc BD-J behavior.
(3) When you connect a TV DENON LINK 4th behavior has been improved.

Products that require this update, end of the serial number is only of the following products.

DVD-A1UD (SP: Premium silver): 60228-
DVD-A1UD (K black): 10129-: "

Thanks for the info.

Anyone have any info on this unit vs the Marantz?

TYIA

I remember one person, from reading on these forums, that chose the Marantz universal bd player over the A1, as I recall from what I remember reading, they compared very closely. I can only say that I am very happy with the performance I am getting with the A1 paired up with my Classe SSP-800 Pre/Pro. The only comparisons though for me was my Integra Universal player and my previous Denon bd player the 3800.

Thanks for the reply, MT.

From the Marantz thread, I've learned that it has a couple extra audio boards, hence a perceived advantage for the analog. As you know, I am going through a Halo P7, so any improvements in analog audio will be key to me.

However, the additional boards in the Marantz add some height, and I don't think it will fit my rack unless I build another one.

Also looking at the new Ayre universal, but that would involve buying a different pre-pro if I want multichannel movies, which of course I do. So the Denon may be my only choice for now.

One of the best things for me with the A1 is how good 2-channel music sounds. I use the balanced xlr outs to my Classe SSP-800 pre/pro and am not using the SSP-800 dacs, just am using it as a pre-amp. I loved how the P7 sounded as a 2-channel pre-amp with the A1 so my biggest concern with getting the SSP-800 was that it would be atleast as good a 2-channel pre-amp as the P7.

So does it?

Yes the Classe SSP-800 is as good as the Halo P7 as a 2-channel pre-amp I use the digital of the SSP-800 (SSP-800 dacs) for bluray, dvd, m/c dvd-audio and satellite. I use the analogs (A1 dacs) for all 2-channel music and also for m/c sacd.

So, why is the Advanced AL32 blue LED not on when I play a red book CD? I thought it will be activated automatically? Is there a way to turn it on? Or, is there a problem with my player? Thanks

Warning - installing the latest firmware update re-sets the A1UD to its original DVD region coding, and the remote handset hack to make it multi-region again no longer works. Or at least this is the case with UK models...

I think you can say EU models.

Hope a fix comes quick, as of today my player is Region 2 on DVD, and about 98% of my DVD's are Region 1. (Due to the PAL speedup problem)

A very expensive "brick" anyone?

Deck

How does the A1 compare to the 3800 for audio through the analog outs? (i have 3800 and am considering upgrade). thanks

Hello guys , has anyone tryed the terminator 2 skynet edition on the a1?
I own this blu ray and found out that the 3rd led goes on in the begining of the disc and when the actual movie starts it goes out.The stream is dts hd ma 6,1.It's the only disc that this thing hapens.Has anyone experienced the same thing?
Normal conection for dl4 from a1ud to avp .

I've had both, and prefer the A1UD, unsurprisingly. The biggest difference is that the A1 is more neutral. The 3800 is rather dark and rich, and ultimately a bit muddled, but still punches above its weight for an AV player. The A1 sounds leaner, more precise, and has better resolution at the extremes, and is very refined. You need a good system to unearth its talents, otherwise it comes across as rather a shrinking violet, while other players are rather more bombastic. Its a big step-up in price, but I don't think the value is there. If you want to improve audio playback, I'd recommend keeping the 3800 and getting a stereo player.

Nick

I agree with welwynnick to a point. the A1 for me sounds better especially for 2-channel music. It also was a considerable upgrade as dvd-a and sacd player over my previous Integra 10.5 universal player. If you don't need a player that can also play m/c dvd-a and sacd I'm pretty sure there are better sounding 2-channel players. I myself am very happy with what I'm hearing paired up with my Classe SSP-800 pre/pro. Even though the Classe has exceptional dacs in its own right, I prefer the sound of 2-channel when using the balanced analog xlr's and just using the Classe as a pre-amp. That says something for A1. I'm not sure how much the AL32 or the balanced xlr's or the AKM4399 32-bit dacs (I read somewhere that these are the same used in the Esoteric universal players) plays into this. I also have an Arcam CD192 dedicated cd player that doesn't come close to the sound of the A1 IMO.

Sadly, i can confirm that EU version of the A1UD is no longer region-free for dvd after the last firmware update. The old procedure seems not working anymore.

Anyone?

thanks for the info...i would want the sacd/dvd-a option, but double the 3800 price is quite a premium to pay (and since i'm fine with the bluray audio/video on the 3800 the very occasional sacd and improvement in (rather frequent) cd playback are what i would seek...your point about the a1 not being enough incremental value in those particular areas to justify the large premium is exactly why i've been so hesitant to upgrade)...