Help with Denon 2900/5900 or MarantzDV8400 or ?

I don't have a 5900 in home (YET, one more week) but have heard from 3 seasoned audiophiles whose ears that I trust that the redbook performance of both players is EXTREMELY hard to tell apart, though SACD is a bit better on the 5900, and video is what the 5900 does best (if anyone cares...). If that's true then the 8400 would be an easily better player for music from my listening to it and the 2900. Actually, underwood wally, the modder for these players, just posted an ad here stating that the 2900 and 5900 sound identical on redbook, which is pretty bleak for the stock machine, me thinks, and hopefully the mods really do wonders. I don't mean to upset any happy owners of the Denon's, it's all just my experience and opinion, and if you're happy with the sound, more power to you! It's a personal hobby, there is not a right or a wrong when it comes to art!

I have a short review posted here on a handful of SACD players and will add a couple more to that list in a few weks; click on the "review" icon under my screen name to read them. The SACD playback of the Denon is a let down when using the 8400 as the reference, as another reviewer also mentioned when comparing these 2 machines. Both myself and the friend who loaned me the 2900 didn't think very highly of the redbook side either in the grand scheme of things, but for $700 one could do worse, a good entry level piece into the foray, great for a $3k or less system. It's fairly priced for what it does, but not an overachiever by any counts, not on any format, except perhaps video and DVDA, according to others, but I don't care for video or DVDA (no worthwhile music) and didn't not compare.

Just my opinions, and for another one, if the redbook of the 5900 is identical to the 2900 then I'd suggest folks spend there money elsewhere if cd playback is important at the $2K level (TONS of competition here), or at least be prepared to buy an external dac, as I know a few folks have already done for their 5900's from reading various BB's. In the end, of course, to each his own! Don't take my word or anyone elses for that matter, listen for yourself if possible, it's MUCH more fun that way. Whatever makes you happy, roll with it. There's always something better out there, the key is being happy with what you have regardless of that fact as long as you are connecting with the music.... :)