Our take on the Denon DCM-390

by Loren Barstow

The DCM-390 from Denon gives you warm, natural sound from your CD collection, thanks to high-quality construction and precision electronics. It uses audiophile-grade digital-to-analog converters from Burr-Brown® to bring out a level of detail you may not have heard in your music before. HDCD decoding improves sound quality even further when using HDCD-encoded discs. There are thousands of HDCD-encoded discs currently available, and you probably already have some in your collection.

This five-disc changer also plays home-burned discs loaded with MP3 and WMA (Windows® Media Audio) files. And the CD carousel can rotate in both directions, so there's less down time between discs. The included remote gives you convenient control from across the room.

Highlights:

5-disc carousel design
disc exchange
HDCD decoding
plays CDs, audio CD-Rs & CD-RWs, and MP3 & WMA CDs
tray rotates clockwise or counter-clockwise for faster disc access
32-track programming, repeat, and random play
remote with direct disc/track access
coaxial and optical digital outputs
headphone jack
remote control input/output (for use with Denon receivers with a compatible remote control in/out jack)
RS-232C port for third party controllers
detachable AC power cord
signal-to-noise ratio 112 dB
17-1/8"W x 4-13/16"H x 17-5/8"D
warranty: 1 year
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs

General
Disc Capacity Loading...	5
Disc Exchange Loading...	Yes
Track Programming Loading...	32
Random Play Loading...	All Discs Program
Disc Naming Loading...	No
Direct Track Access Loading...	Yes
Direct Disc Access Loading...	Yes
Remote Loading...	Included
Display Color Loading...	Blue
Multiple CD Player Control Loading...	No
Parts Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Compatibility
CD-R Playback Loading...	Yes
CD-RW Playback Loading...	Yes
MP3 Playback Loading...	Yes
SACD Playback Loading...	No
Specifications
CD Frequency Response Loading...	2-20k Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio Loading...	112 dB
SACD Frequency Response Loading...	Not Compatible
SACD Dynamic Range Loading...	---
SACD THD Loading...	---
Outputs
Digital Optical Output Loading...	1
Digital Coaxial Output Loading...	1
Headphone Loading...	Standard

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

5-Disc CD changer
6' AC cower cord
RC-1033 Wireless remote
2 "AAA" batteries
3' Audio cable (left and right RCA audio connectors on each end)
Operating Instructions (English/French/Spanish)
Warranty sheet
Denon Service Network information
Transit screw note (taped to the packing material around the unit)

Our Product Research Team

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Features
Inputs and Outputs Notes

Features

HDCD Decoder: The DCM-390 features an HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital) decoder. HDCD is an encoding/decoding technology that greatly reduces the distortion occurring at the time of digital recording while maintaining compatibility with the conventional CD format. HDCD allows 20-bit data to be converted to the 16-bit data of current CDs with no loss in sound quality. HDCD-compatible CDs are automatically identified by the player, and the optimum digital signal processing is used.

Disc Exchange: You can exchange up to 4 discs while playing a fifth; once the drawer is open, 3 CDs can be changed, then you must use the disc skip button to remove the remaining one.

Music Calendar: The player has a 20-track music calendar.

MP3/WMA Playback: This unit will play MP3 and WMA files recorded onto CD-R and CD-RW discs using the ISO 9660 level format. A maximum of 256 folders can be played and the total number of files and folders is 512.

Program Play: Up to 32 tracks can be programmed and played in any order.

Random Play: This unit allows you to choose Full Random Play, Program Random Play, or Disc Sequential Random Play. When Full Random Play is selected, all the tracks on the loaded discs are played in random order. When Program Random Play is selected, all the programmed tracks are played in random order. When Disc Sequential Random Play is selected, you can select the CDs to be played in random order. Up to 5 discs can be selected.

Repeat Play: The DCM-390 allows you to repeat the current track, current disc, or all discs. In addition, you can repeat Program Play and Random Play.

Direct Selection: Using the supplied remote, you can directly access discs and tracks.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

Control In/Out: The DCM-390 has a mini-jack input and output on the rear panel to allow you to connect a Denon receiver with remote control in/out jacks. With this connection, you can control the CD player with the receiver's remote.

RS-232C Port: Connects to the RS-232 port on a compatible external controller, allowing control of this player using outboard remote systems.

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1-8 of 8 items Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness

2 out of 5

Disappointed at Denon

Written By Ed, San Jose, CA on Monday, August 01, 2011

I'm in the third year of ownership of the DCM-390. The unit has started not recognizing discs in the tray or not recognizing songs on a disc. I am one disappointed Denon fan. My first ever CD player was a single-disc Denon player I bought in 1986 for about $450. That player is still functioning! Several years ago I wanted to get a 5-disc changer so that I did not have to change discs constantly. I bought a (cheaper) Yamaha, which did not have as good sound as my 25-year-old Denon, and that player died (having the same problems as I am having with the 390 now) after two years. So three years ago, I thought I would spend a little more money on a DCM-390. The 390 does have great sound, compared to both the Yamaha and my old Denon, if only it could play the discs reliably. The thing is that it is not even the moving parts that are failing. It is the control electronics that are failing. I know they don't make things that last 25-30 years anymore (sigh!), but I would expect electronics to last at least 10-15 years, not 3! Now I am hesitant to buy another Denon product. I have had great enjoyment for 2+ years, but for this price, I expect it to last longer. I am looking to find a CD changer that has as good sound as the 390 but with better reliability.

10 out of 10 people found this helpful