Denon DCD-2000
Little is documented about the Denon DCD-2000, which is a bit ironic given the care the company claims to have put into it. Denon was explicit that it did not want to put its name on a CD player until it could offer something with real advantages over the competition. The DCD-2000 was the first model the company felt was worthy of the badge. In early 1980, Denon began providing this first-generation model to dealers for demonstration only, with second-generation models expected later that year, according to High Fidelity Trade News (March 1980, p.99).
The player was a "dual Fet direct" design, and it came in two variants: a standard CD player and a version described as having a transport function. The listed specs are 0.003% total harmonic distortion, a 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio, and frequency response from 5 Hz to 20 kHz. They are attributed to the model generally, not split between the two versions. It has both optical and coaxial digital outputs, plus a single RCA analog output. The unit measures 434 x 125 x 317 mm and weighs 8.6 kg. It draws 32 watts.
Beyond that, the record is thin. No production years or DAC details have surfaced in the research, and no period reviews with measured performance data have been located.
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