Denon DCD-1700NE CD/SACD Player Review: Classic Disc Playback with Modern Precision

Experience superb CD and SACD performance from Denon's DCD-1700NE, blending expert engineering with a dedicated disc-playing focus.

A Timeless Player for the Disc Devotee

When I first caught wind of Denon's new Denon DCD-1700NE CD/SACD player, priced around $1699, I was instantly intrigued. I reached out to review it, expecting a quality experience but found myself blown away. This isn’t your typical "for the price" kind of praise—the DCD-1700NE is simply a stellar performer, thanks to Denon's long-standing expertise and dedication to pure audio craftsmanship.

Denon launched in Japan back in 1910 and has been a powerhouse in high-end audio ever since. It's one of the oldest names in the game, rivaled only by the likes of Thorens and Garrard in longevity. Founded by Frederick Whitney Horn, an American entrepreneur, Denon was Japan’s pioneer in consumer audio, selling gramophones and becoming the country’s first record company. Fast forward to today, Denon boasts a diverse portfolio across home and pro audio, including the legendary 103 moving-coil phono cartridge introduced in 1962, still highly revered over 60 years later for its pristine sound and unbeatable value.

Built for Disc Purists: A Dedicated Unitasker

Denon has a rich history of supporting physical media, and their 2009 DVD-A1UD was a trailblazer as the first universal disc player. The DCD-1700NE continues that legacy, arriving at a time when many are declaring the death of physical audio discs. Denon’s commitment here isn’t just nostalgic; it’s a powerful statement for disc lovers everywhere.

Replacing the 2017 DCD-1600NE, the 1700NE is a “unitasker” in the best sense: it does one job, and it does it flawlessly. Unlike multi-purpose devices that juggle streaming, DAC functions, and storage, this player focuses purely on spinning 5-inch audio discs—CDs and SACDs alike (including hybrids). It also plays CD-R/-RW and DVD-R/-RW discs with various audio file formats burned onto them. It does not support MQA, but most audiophiles aren't losing sleep over that.

Connectivity is straightforward: analog RCA outputs, one digital coaxial, one optical output, and IR in/out for remote control. No USB input here, so you’re truly dedicated to discs with this gear.

Engineering Excellence Under the Hood

Denon’s DCD-1700NE sports a solid aluminum chassis available in black or silver, weighing nearly 20 pounds—a reassuringly hefty piece of equipment. Inside, it uses a Texas Instruments PCM1795 DAC chip (32-bit/192kHz), paired with Denon’s own “Suppress Vibration Hybrid” (S.V.H.) mechanism designed to keep disc reading accurate and precise.

Digital processing includes Denon’s Advanced AL32 upsampling and filtering, which promises smooth and detailed playback. Notably, the player is “tuned” by a Denon Sound Master to deliver a natural and musical sound signature, favoring listening enjoyment over clinical neutrality.

The player includes all the typical CD features—random track access, repeat, programmable playlists, and a “pure direct” mode that kills the display to reduce noise. Though, full disclosure, the display is a bit small to read comfortably from a distance.

Sound That Serves the Music

After about 50 hours of break-in, I dove into some of my favorite discs, starting with Vilde Frang’s 2014 Mozart violin concertos. The DCD-1700NE delivered a masterclass in balance and clarity—string timbres were beautifully distinct, and the orchestral foundation came through with presence and warmth. It felt like the music, rather than the machine, was front and center.

Then came Benjamin Britten's iconic War Requiem, a recording I hold dear for its emotional and sonic depth. The player handled this complex, multi-layered masterpiece with grace, faithfully rendering the spatial placement of soloists and ensembles—a testament to Denon’s careful tuning and engineering. The dynamic contrasts and subtle details of this 60-year-old recording were preserved with remarkable fidelity.

Other genres fared just as well, from jazz classics like Kind of Blue and The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album to pop gems like Paul Simon’s Graceland. The Denon maintained clarity and musicality across the board, never veering into digital harshness or sterile playback.

Balancing Beauty and Truth

Pairing the 1700NE with an external DAC like Benchmark’s DAC3 B DAC converter can bring even more refinement, especially if you seek ultimate accuracy in digital conversion. Some listeners prefer the Denon's slightly warmer, colored sound, which lends a natural, musical vibe. Others opt for the Benchmark's clinical precision. Personally, having both options at hand is like toggling between two favorite flavors—both delicious, just different.

This duality of beauty and truth is a hallmark of Denon’s design, reminding me of the late Ken Ishiwata’s work with Marantz gear, where you could switch between sound signatures to suit your mood.

Why SACD Still Matters

One of the biggest mysteries to me remains the audiophile world's lukewarm reception to SACD, especially in America. Technically, it outperforms all other mass-produced physical formats, boasting lower distortion, higher dynamic range, and superior noise floor. The format’s stability and fidelity to master recordings are unmatched.

Despite rumors of its demise, SACD remains alive and well thanks to labels like Avie, BIS, Chandos, Pentatone, and more, who continue to release high-quality SACDs regularly. There’s simply no shortage of fantastic music waiting to be rediscovered in this format.

The DCD-1700NE is a godsend for anyone with a CD collection who wants to step into the SACD world without breaking the bank. Denon deserves applause for sticking to physical media in an age dominated by streaming.

Specs & Pricing at a Glance

• Frequency response: SACD 2Hz–50kHz (-3dB), CD 2Hz–20kHz (-0.5dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: SACD 119dB, CD 117dB
• Total harmonic distortion: SACD 0.0010%, CD 0.0016%
• DAC: TI Advanced Current Segment PCM1795 (192kHz/32-bit)
• Disc drive: S.V.H. (Suppress Vibration Hybrid) mechanism
• Supported formats: SACD, CD, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD)
• Analog output: RCA
• Digital outputs: Optical and coaxial
• Dimensions: 17.09″ x 5.31″ x 15.12″
• Weight: 19.8 lbs
• Price: $1699

Final Thoughts

If you cherish your CD and SACD collection and crave a player that respects the music above all else, the Denon DCD-1700NE CD/SACD player is a superb choice. Its focused design, combined with Denon’s engineering heritage, produces music that’s engaging and emotionally resonant without the distractions of unnecessary features. In a world obsessed with multitasking gadgets, sometimes the best path is to keep things simple—and do one thing extraordinarily well.

FAQ

• What disc formats does the Denon DCD-1700NE support?
  Supports SACD (including hybrid), CD, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW discs containing various compressed and lossless audio formats.
• Can the 1700NE be used as a DAC-only device?
  Yes, it has digital outputs (optical and coaxial) to connect to an external DAC, functioning as a transport.
• Is the display easy to read from a distance?
  The display is somewhat small and might be hard to read from the listening chair, though it has adjustable illumination.
• Does the player have USB or streaming capabilities?
  No USB input or streaming features; it's dedicated purely to disc playback.
• How does it compare to more expensive players?
  While not state of the art, it delivers performance close to high-end models, especially when paired with a top-tier external DAC.

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