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| Denon DBT - 1713 3D Universal Disc player - Where less is more. |
Visitors to the KL International AV Show 2013 looking for a
high-performance, no-nonsense Bluray Disc player that will double up as a top
notch CD player should drop by the Wo Kee Hong Trading booth to check out
Denon’s range of players.
Preferring to describe their range of players as universal, an
account of their ability to play virtually all known variations of the silver
disc, the Denon range comprises three models of which the DBT-1713 is the
‘baby’.
Set to retail at RM2,199 the DBT-1713 may appear more expensive
compared to other mainstream BD players. It may also appear to offer fewer
features but according to Denon the design concept for the DBT-1713 is ‘less is
more’.
What this means is that the DBT-1713 eschews whatever circuitry
unnecessary. Its intention here is to build a BD deck that will sound and look
its best.
In this regards the DBT-1713 is devoid of any onboard decoding,
analogue and lossy digital outputs. This is a HDMI-only player that will
transmit lossless bitstream audio and video signal to an AV receiver where the
decoding is performed. And rightly so. Why have a built-in AV decoder in the
player when virtually all modern AV receivers have one?
All resources, including those saved on the omitted features are now
used to ensure a top build quality, a solid transport mechanism that will
minimize resonance and the inclusion of top grade audiophile components parts.
And the DBT- 1713 certainly reflects that with its ample 434 x 108 x 296mm
dimensions and the component is commensurately hefty at 5kg.
The net result? Well, from both Bluray and CD sources, the
performance is one of great visual detail with pin point sharpness and natural
yet immensely saturated colour palette.
Sound is full of dynamic slam with great bass weight and perceived
extension that is at the same time detailed.
With the DBT-1713 Denon has proven, at least to me, that quality
beats quantity any time of the day.
If you want something that is well made and offers a perceivable difference in performance the DBT-1713 is that machine.
