Denon DCD-1600NEFrom real comments

Name: Denon DCD-1600NE
Rating: 3.5 (9 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 9 mentions across 8 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%

PROS 67%

CONS 33%

Rank based on 9 mentions across 8 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want detailed, dynamic CD/SACD sound in a solidly built chassis
You're open to easy tweaks (damping mat, fuse swap) to boost performance further
You want a Denon-ecosystem player compatible with smaller aftermarket remotes

What users love

Detailed, dynamic sound0 mentions

Strongly positive

Tank-like build quality0 mentions

Strongly positive

Responds well to modifications0 mentions

Strongly positive

Brushless spindle drive0 mentions

Widely praised

Compatible with smaller aftermarket remote0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You play discs burned with Qobuz-downloaded hi-res files without converting them first
You need rock-solid disc-reading reliability out of the box
You're not willing to deal with potential warranty replacements for disc-reading faults

What users complain about

Disc-reading reliability issues0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Fails with Qobuz-burned discs0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Picky disc compatibility0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Marantz ND8006

Excellent CD playback qualityAdjustable sound settings for tuningLong-term reliabilityNo SACD supportPerceived poor value by one userSlow streaming performance

Marantz ND8006

Excellent CD playback quality

Adjustable sound settings for tuning

Long-term reliability

No SACD support

Perceived poor value by one user

Slow streaming performance

2Premium

Sony NW-WM1A

Distraction-free listening experienceSuperior sound quality vs rivalsGood headphone/IEM pairing optionsEU volume/sound cap restrictionsNo wireless/Android limits convenienceHigh price point

Sony NW-WM1A

Distraction-free listening experience

Superior sound quality vs rivals

Good headphone/IEM pairing options

EU volume/sound cap restrictions

No wireless/Android limits convenience

High price point

3Mid

SMSL PL200

Reliable top-loading mechanism

SMSL PL200

Reliable top-loading mechanism

Akai GX-266II

Attractive DesignAuto-Reverse PlaybackBeautiful Sound QualityLeft Channel Warm-Up Delay

Akai GX-266II

Attractive Design

Auto-Reverse Playback

Beautiful Sound Quality

Left Channel Warm-Up Delay

5Mid

Pioneer RT-707

Extremely durable buildExcellent sound qualityEasy tape threadingCounter belt failure is commonAging capacitors and transistors cause noiseRear-mounted output controls

Pioneer RT-707

Extremely durable build

Excellent sound quality

Easy tape threading

Counter belt failure is common

Aging capacitors and transistors cause noise

Rear-mounted output controls

6Premium

Sony NW-WM1ZM2

Premium Build QualityStrong Predecessor Track RecordLong-Term DurabilitySkepticism Over Gold/Material Marketing ClaimsVery High PriceUncertain Volume Cap and Storage Features

Sony NW-WM1ZM2

Premium Build Quality

Strong Predecessor Track Record

Long-Term Durability

Skepticism Over Gold/Material Marketing Claims

Very High Price

Uncertain Volume Cap and Storage Features

7Premium

FiiO M17

Powerful amplificationBalanced, neutral sound qualityAcceptable size for the power deliveredVery large and heavyHeat during useHigh price

FiiO M17

Powerful amplification

Balanced, neutral sound quality

Acceptable size for the power delivered

Very large and heavy

Heat during use

High price

8Mid

Marantz CD6007

Clear, detailed soundESS DAC still sounds goodUSB FLAC/WAV playbackUndisclosed DAC chip swapCheaper build vs 40n seriesDesign not for everyone

Marantz CD6007

Clear, detailed sound

ESS DAC still sounds good

USB FLAC/WAV playback

Undisclosed DAC chip swap

Cheaper build vs 40n series

Design not for everyone

9Premium

Yamaha GT-5000

Rich, Balanced SoundAttractive DesignPremium Build QualityControversial Straight Tonearm GeometryHigh PriceFinish Not Metal

Yamaha GT-5000

Rich, Balanced Sound

Attractive Design

Premium Build Quality

Controversial Straight Tonearm Geometry

High Price

Finish Not Metal

Best value

10Mid

Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Strong value for moneyConvenient headshell-mounted optionExcellent tracking on older vinylBright red stylus color criticizedQuestionable review test conditions

Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML

Strong value for money

Convenient headshell-mounted option

Excellent tracking on older vinyl

Bright red stylus color criticized

Questionable review test conditions

You are here

22Mid

Denon DCD-1600NE

Detailed, dynamic soundBrushless spindle driveCompatible with smaller aftermarket remoteDisc-reading reliability issuesFails with Qobuz-burned discsPicky disc compatibility

Denon DCD-1600NE

Detailed, dynamic sound

Brushless spindle drive

Compatible with smaller aftermarket remote

Disc-reading reliability issues

Fails with Qobuz-burned discs

Picky disc compatibility

Expensive
1. FiiO M17arrow_downward3
2. Yamaha GT-5000arrow_downward5
High price
1. Sony NW-WM1Aarrow_downward2
2. Sony NW-WM1ZM2arrow_downward6
Premium build
1. Sony NW-WM1ZM2arrow_upward6
2. Yamaha GT-5000arrow_upward2
Sound quality
1. Sony NW-WM1Aarrow_upward6
2. Akai GX-266IIarrow_upward1
Build quality
1. Sony NW-WM1Aarrow_upward3
2. Marantz ND8006arrow_upward1
Auto reverse
1. Pioneer RT-707arrow_upward2
2. Akai GX-266IIarrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Sound quality impresses owners well beyond the price point. Multiple commenters praise the DCD-1600NE's detailed, dynamic sound and tank-like build. One owner directly compared it to a much pricier Antipodes server-based system and found the Denon superior in every area of sound delivery, even after only modest modifications, suggesting genuinely strong stock performance for the price.

Disc-reading reliability is a recurring headache for some owners. One buyer had their first unit fail to read discs after a few months, and its warranty replacement developed the same issue within 10 months, with skipping and dropouts on discs that played fine elsewhere. Another owner bricked two units entirely by using discs burned with Qobuz-downloaded audio files, which the player could not read or eject properly.

Enthusiasts enjoy tinkering to extract more performance. One owner applied Dynamat Xtreme sound-deadening material inside the chassis and swapped the internal fuse for a HiFiTuning Supreme 3, reporting a noticeable performance leap matching Denon's costlier 2500NE model. Another noted the transport uses a common Sanyo laser head paired with a brushless spindle motor, a design detail of interest to hobbyists.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqDetailed, dynamic sound

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Owners consistently describe the sound as detailed and dynamic, with one comparing it favorably to a much more expensive server-based playback system. This suggests the player punches above its price class sonically.

@hypnos1486

Hi. Time for an update on this now 'vintage'(!) review, which isn't by any means an overly-hyped one but spot on IMHO.\n\n In my own case I was interested to see how a really good CD player compared to my rather expensive and highly regarded Antipodes DX server/player's playback via SSD into my hi-end headphone system. In short, I was blown away by this Denon's performance - easily (and unexpectedly) surpassing that from the Antipodes...in every area of sound delivery. \n\nThen, as an alternative to the 2500 NE's use of kgs of copper to reduce vibration's effect on performance, I did what I've done elsewhere in my setup to counter resonance, and for much cheaper (and actually better IMO!) - ie the use of amazing Dynamat Xtreme adhesive sound deadening mat. I opened up the unit and applied said mat to all available blank spaces in the chassis and the underside of the lid and case bottom. I also replaced the main internal power/audio fuse (the one nearest the back of the case) with a HiFiTuning Supreme 3 while there. Result?...a noticeable leap in performance - to a level easily matching the £1000 more 2500 NE I first tried (using coax out to my Chord TT2/mscaler DAC, thence to my Ferrum OOR/Hypsos amp combo/Meze Empyrean headphones). \n\nThese simple mods have raised the bar for this reasonably priced CD player to a level way beyond its price point and I still can't believe how it trounces the £7000+ Antipodes...a sure confirmation in my book of the superiority of (good!) CD playback over any other form of media playback.\n\nThanks AV for confirming my choice of CD player over many a lot more expensive...CHEERS!

smart_display

October 3, 2022

@zaoria123

Congrats on your new player! I own the DCD1600NE. Frustratingly, the first one had trouble reading discs after a few months, so Denon replaced it with a new one. Unfortunately, it's replacement has also had trouble reading discs over the last few days and the unit is only 10 months old. I am hoping this is just a problem that will resolve itself. \n\nI agree that the player is detailed, dynamic and yes, externally built like a tank. Unfortunately, it is also very picky, skipping or having sound drop outs on discs that play absolutely fine on my Yamaha CD-S300. Anyone looking for a great sounding, durable, resilient CD player should check out the CD-S300.

smart_display

October 22, 2020

fitness_centerTank-like build quality

1 mentions

Strongly positive

The external build is described as being built like a tank, giving owners confidence in its physical durability and construction.

@zaoria123

smart_display

October 22, 2020

buildResponds well to modifications

1 mentions

Strongly positive

An owner applied sound-deadening mat and a premium fuse upgrade, reporting a noticeable performance leap that matched a much pricier model in the same lineup. This shows the player has headroom for enthusiast tweaks.

@hypnos1486

smart_display

October 3, 2022

settingsBrushless spindle drive

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter familiar with laser transport parts notes the Denon uses a brushless spindle motor, seen as an upgrade over similar players sharing the same Sanyo laser head.

@pro_planar

How cool in modern players - laser heads from Sanyo are everywhere! Take a BBK DVP036 DVD player and there's an SF-HD870, and in a Yamaha CD-S303 SF-HD870... now in Denon too 😂 The only thing better in the Denon is the spindle drive - brushless!

smart_displayTranslated from Russian

January 2, 2026

settings_remoteCompatible with smaller aftermarket remote

1 mentions

Widely praised

The RC-1033 remote was confirmed to work with the DCD-1600NE, giving owners who dislike the large stock remote a smaller alternative option.

@wag12wag12

Thanks so much for letting me know that the RC-1033 will work with the DCD-1600NE. I don't like that big ugly remote either and I was looking for a smaller remote that would work with my DCD-1700NE. I'm pretty sure if it works with the DCD-1600NE, it should also work with the DCD-1700NE. I bought a open box one on Ebay for $19.66 with a 30-day return option.

smart_display

August 12, 2025

warningDisc-reading reliability issues

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

One owner experienced disc-reading trouble on their original unit and again on its warranty replacement within 10 months, including skipping and sound dropouts on discs that played fine on another brand's player.

@zaoria123

smart_display

October 22, 2020

errorFails with Qobuz-burned discs

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

Discs burned with audio files downloaded from Qobuz can render the unit unresponsive to the point of bricking it, requiring manual disassembly to remove the disc since the 'Open' command stops working.

@hypnos1486

Further to my recent post I must issue this DIRE WARNING!!!!\n\nI managed to brick TWO Denons before discovering the reason for this drastic anomaly (both a 2500 NE and 1600 NE) - ie. burning and using discs with audio files downloaded from QOBUZ will render these Denons UNUSEABLE!! ...they fail to read them properly and worse, won't respond to 'Open' command whatever you try, so you're stuck (even Denon couldn't help!). You can in fact open the unit quite easily and simply lift the disc out...fine if out of warranty but otherwise best to return to supplier under warranty (probably best not to mention the actual cause lol!). \n\nHowever, if one has said files, they can be 'rescued' simply by using a file converter such as the free dBpoweramp one and 'reconvert' them...the Denon will then read and play them faultlessly.\nps. Said problem burned discs play fine on my Oppo DPD player!\n\npps. Hi-res files burned to DVD data discs sound quite phenomenal thru these Denons (especially after carrying out the simple mods in my previous post)...a priceless added bonus in my opinion.

smart_display

October 4, 2022

report_problemPicky disc compatibility

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

Beyond the Qobuz issue, one owner found the player generally picky, with problems on discs that played fine on a competing Yamaha CD-S300 player.

@zaoria123

smart_display

October 22, 2020

Denon DCD-1600NEchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Expensive

High price

Premium build

Sound quality

Build quality

Auto reverse

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Denon DCD-1600NEFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression