Denon – DCD-A110 SACD/CD Player

Patented CD Mechanism, Quad DAC Configuration, DSD 5.6MHz Ability, and Independent Power Supplies Define Stellar-Sounding Japan-Built Denon DCD-A110 SACD/CD Player

A patented S.V.H. CD mechanism, five-year warranty, high-resolution file support up to DSD 5.6MHz, hand-selected high-end parts, and a limited-edition silver-graphite color that stands out in any environment: The Denon DCD-A110 features everything any sane person could reasonably want in a reference SACD/CD player – and then some. Designed to celebrate Denon’s 110th anniversary, the Japanese-built DCD-A110 offers stupendous sound as well as the benefits of a quad DAC configuration (four TI PCM1795 DACs), Ultra AL32 processing, and fully independent digital and analog power supplies. It even comes with a special Certificate of Authenticity signed by the company’s Head of Engineering.

Able to render music with incredible spaciousness, robust detail, massive dynamics, and see-through transparency, DCD-A110 includes two clock oscillators (one for each sampling frequency of 44.1kHz and 48kHz) that can be switched to completely suppress jitter. The high-quality clock serves as the reference for the four-audio DAC operation and ensures that the circuitry operates at its maximum potential. To supply a cleaner master clock, DCD-A110 also touts tri-state buffer-type multiplexers. Each and every circuit within DCD-A110 adheres to the “simple and straight” philosophy for stunning purity and minimal interference.

Relatedly, Ultra AL32 processing – complete with an Intel Cyclone 10 FPGA – utilizes data interpolation algorithms and supports 24-bit/192kHz PCM. The algorithms interpolate points that should exist before and after the points in large quantities of data to achieve a smooth waveform extremely close to that of the original signal. Then, the algorithms upsample the bandwidth from the original content, smoothing out the waveform and improving the fidelity. By carefully restoring data lost during digital recording, the resulting playback arrives free of interference, accurately localized, richly expressive in the lower range, and beautifully faithful to the artist’s intent.

Equipped with the custom capacitor from Denon’s premium-grade DCD-SX1 Limited, a model only sold in Japan, DCD-A110 treats disc reading with white-glove luxury. The aforementioned Suppress Vibration Hybrid mechanism consists of a copper-plate top panel, die-cast aluminum tray, and 2mm-thick steel brackets to render noise obsolete, ward off external interference, and prioritize accuracy. Such conscientious architecture carries over to the 1.2mm-thick main chassis, here reinforced with two 1.6mm-thick steel plates and cast-iron feet to result in an ultra-rigid three-layer structure with ample vibration-resistant mass.

Factor in an aluminum-topped remote control, app control via a network player, a super-clean back-panel layout, and off-the-charts specifications that include a mammoth 122dB S/N ratio and 118dB SACD dynamic range, and DCD-A110 will make you want to celebrate anniversaries every day of the year. Read more about the technology and build below, or simply get the party started now with the assurance of our 100% Music Direct Guarantee.

Designed with Discerning Expectations as the Starting Point

Denon’s DCD-A110 is carefully designed to exceed high standards. Boasting a limited-edition silver graphite color, heavy cabinet, cast-iron feet, and Denon’s own patented Advanced S.V.H. CD mechanism, DCD-A110 is specially crafted for audiophiles. Designed and engineered with aspiration in mind, DCD-A110 is as elegant to look at as it is to listen to with a special 110-year inlay logo to celebrate Denon’s milestone anniversary.

DSD Data Disc Playback Support

In addition to CD and Super Audio CD, DCD-A110 can play DSD (2.8MHz/5.6MHz) files and high-res audio files up to 24-bit/192kHz recorded on DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW discs. You can also play music files with sampling frequencies of up to 48kHz recorded on CD-R/RW discs.

Ultra AL32 Processing with 32-bit/384kHz Support

DCD-A110 is equipped with Ultra AL32 Processing, the latest in analog waveform reproduction technology from Denon. Ultra AL32 Processing utilizes data interpolation algorithms and supports 24-bit/192kHz PCM signal input. These algorithms interpolate points that should exist before and after the points in large quantities of data to achieve a smooth waveform that is close to that of the original signal. These algorithms upsample the bandwidth from the original content, smoothing out the waveform and improving the sound reproduction. Ultra AL32 Processing doubles the processing bandwidth from the previous-generation upsampling 32-bit/384kHz content to 1.512MHz. By carefully restoring data that was lost during digital recording, the resulting playback sound is highly detailed, free of interference, accurately localized, richly expressive in the lower range, and beautifully faithful to the original sound.

Intel Inside

Intel’s latest Field Programmable Gate Array, Cyclone 10, is on board to support the massive data computation required to support Ultra AL32 processing. This processor realizes half the EMI and heat generation of the Cyclone IV previously used in AL32 processing.

Quad DAC Configuration

DCD-A110 introduces a new Quad DAC configuration for a more powerful and better spatial expression of the soundstage. Each DAC converts the large amount of data coming from the Ultra AL32 processing for both left and right signal dispatch. This allows the current output bundling to achieve the best sound, and also surpass the operating frequency limit of the DACs, for an outstanding audio performance. This improves the low noise level, improving S/N ratio by 4 to 6dB depending on the sampling frequency of the content (6dB for PCM and 4dB for DSD) as well as the Total Harmonic Distortion accordingly. Lastly, DCD-A110 does not use a traditional op-amp’s post filter circuit. It is equipped with full discrete filter stage with carefully selected custom-tuned audio parts selected by the Denon sound master to achieve outstanding audio performance and an expansive soundstage.

DAC Master Clock Design

Because accuracy is the key to performance, DCD-A110 is equipped with two clock oscillators, one for each sampling frequency (44.1kHz and 48kHz), that can be switched between the frequencies to thoroughly suppress jitter. The high-quality clock is the reference for the four-audio DAC operation and ensures that the digital audio circuitry performs at its maximum potential. To supply a cleaner master clock directly to the DACs, DCD-A110 is equipped with tri-state buffer type multiplexers. The master clock signal supplied from the crystal oscillator passes through the buffer circuit only once to the DAC, impacting the jitter of only 18fs.

Independent Digital and Analog Power Supply

To eliminate mutual interference and noise, the power supply units for the digital and analog circuits are fully independent even though the signals have different characteristics.

Dedicated Fully Discrete Power Supply for Analog Audio Circuitry

The DCD-A110 analog power supply circuit features a fully discrete design that is optimized for audio with the original Denon large-capacity (3300 μF) block capacitor used for the power unit of the analog audio circuitry after the D/A converter. DCD-A110 boasts custom parts such as high-power bipolar junction transistor, high-quality electrolytic capacitors, and polyphenylene sulfide capacitors. These specially designed parts have been co-developed with select manufacturers through an extensive regimen of repeated listening tests. They enable a clean, yet robust, stable supply of power, resulting in a sound that is delightfully balanced between a strong foundation and delicate details.

Advanced S.V.H. Mechanism: Denon’s Original Disc Drive Design

DCD-A110’s disc drive is equipped with the Advanced S.V.H. (Suppress Vibration Hybrid) Mechanism inherited from Denon’s high-end models. Signal paths have been shortened to an absolute minimum and circuits have been miniaturized to ensure that excess current and noise will not occur. The various parts are made with different materials such as a copper plate for the top panel to strengthen rigidity, die-cast aluminum for the disc tray, and 2mm-thick steel for the mechanism brackets. Improvements in high-mass, vibration-resistant properties and the dispersal of resonation points contribute to a high level of vibration resistance. In addition, the mechanism’s low center of gravity suppresses any vibration occurring inside the mechanism due to disc rotation, and the mechanism structure also effectively suppresses external vibration. By eliminating unwanted vibration, servo-related operations are minimized, and by also minimizing unnecessary controls and current consumption, digital signals can be read from the disc with optimum accuracy under stable conditions.

High-Grade Audio Components

All audio components have been carefully selected and optimized for the best sound quality. DCD-A110 inherits its customized audio Denon capacitor from the DCD-SX1 Limited, a premium SACD player only sold in Japan. AMRS and MELF resistors have been largely adopted in the audio and power sections. MELF resistors offer higher performance with low-current noise.

Circuitry with Minimized Signal Paths

DCD-A110 circuits have been thoroughly redesigned to adhere closely to the “simple and straight” design philosophy. Circuit patterns have been reworked from the ground up to make the signal paths as short as possible and ensure that the original sound is faithfully reproduced across the sonic spectrum. As a result, interference between circuits and between left and right channels as well as adverse influences on audio signals are minimized, producing clean, highly transparent sound.

Direct Mechanical Ground Construction

The integrity of musical signals deteriorates when they are subject to internal vibration caused by disc rotation or the power transformer or to airborne vibration caused by sound pressure from the speakers. To guard against such influences, Denon engineers designed a vibration suppression structure called “Direct Mechanical Ground Construction.” In this design, the power transformers – themselves a source of vibration – have been placed close to the feet of DCD-A110, where unwanted vibration is funneled directly to the ground and prevented from affecting nearby circuitry. Also, by placing the drive mechanism – the part with the greatest mass – low in the center of the chassis, the low center of gravity effectively absorbs internal vibration caused by disc rotation and also protects the mechanism from external vibration. To further shut out external vibration, the 1.2mm-thick main chassis has been reinforced with two 1.6mm-thick steel plates to produce a highly rigid three-layer structure with sufficient vibration-resistant mass.