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Review: Denon DCD-1560 CD Player

Category: Digital

At the time this was one of the top units from Denon.I believe it was third from the flagship model. Probably the first units to have real 20 bit D/A technology,with 8 times oversampling. I have had this unit for quite sometime now.This was a NOS unit. This has been a total plug n play unit and has never given a moments problem. This is a single tray CD Player with way above average transport. Controls have that solid feel,nothing flimsy here. Weighs in at least 20 pounds. For a CD Player it is heavy. Retailed for $650.00 in 1991 or 1992,cant remember which year though.

I listen to a wide variety of music and for a CD Player it is quite remarkable. At times I forget I am listening to the digital format,it is that good. To extract the most from this CD Player it needs a good preamp and power amp. It is unforgiving if the rest of the system is not up to the task. But with the given of having the proper PreAmp and Power Amp as well as decent speakers,this CD Player from Denon can deliver sonics that are on par with todays CD Players up to the $1,500.00 range. Can you do better than the Denon 1560 - Sure you can. When I replace this will go to a CAL unit. But at the secondary prices these sell for,it is damn near impossible to do better.

Specifications:
Audio

  • No. channels: 2
  • Frequency Response:2-20,0000Hz
  • Dynamic Range: 100 dB
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 115dB
  • Harmonice Distortion: 0.002%(1kHz)
  • Separation: 106 dB (1kHz)
  • Wow & Flutter: Below Measurable Limit.
  • Output Voltage:2.0 V,Variable 0 - 2.0 V
  • Discs: Compact Disc Format

    General Characteristics

  • Power Supply: 50/60 Hz,voltage is shown in rating label
  • Power Consumption: 18 W
  • Dimensions: 19 3/32 x 5 10/32 x 13 25/32
  • Weight: about 20 Pounds

    Functions and Display

  • Functions:Direct Selection,automatic search,programmed playback,repeat playback,manual search,auto space,time mode,auto edit,emphasis feature
    Display
  • Track number,time,music calendar,and engaged modes and Headphone jack.
  • Remote Control

    Clearly with the above specifications this Denon was way ahead of the competition when it came out. And can hold its own very nicely with the players of today. Have never been disappointed with the sonics of this Denon 1560 CD Player. In my opinion this is just about as good as it gets for digital. For what these sell for in the secondary market,the simple question why spend more??

    The back panel of the Denon 1560 has fixed and variable outputs as well as optical and coax connection,nice touch there. This unit is extremely resistant to vibration due to its very ridgid chassis and Denons BMC technology.

    The way this Denon CD Player sounds,plus its build quality,it will be a long time before I move up to a California Audio Labs unit.Then again may opt for another Denon. Very pleased with this one.

    Associated gear
    Click to view my Virtual System

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    Music Hall,Rega Planet,Sony,Parasound,California Audio Labs.

    • ferrari
    av2k
    17 posts
     
    I'm new to Audiogon and just came across this thread. I have a Denon DCD-1520 that feeds a Benchmark Media DAC1. Mine will skip the final one to two minutes on the last track of several CDs that are over approximately 70 minutes in duration. Is this a laser alignment problem?

    BTW, this player with its 20bit DACS, has been impressive.
    unhalfbricking
    15 posts
     
    I couldn't agree more. I purchased my DCD-1560 back in the early nineties and it has not missed a beat since. I have however, been thinking that maybe it is time to upgrade to something current, but finding a CDP that can better the sonics of this player without spending mega bucks is proving to be a difficult task. In fact after reading your glowing testimonial I'm now reluctant to dispense with it. As a side note the performance of this CDP can be lifted significantly by removing the plastic stock feet and replacing with cones. I use Audiopoints. With the right set up and corresponding equipment it sounds pretty damn hoopy for an old girl. (-:
    99golf
    6 posts
     
    Well my big CD system has gone down and needs sevice. So from the closet I pulled out the venerable Denon DCD 1560. Cleaned it up a bit and cleaned the laser. Plugged it in and it immdeiately came to life and sound oh so good. For a unit released in 1991 who can complain, It does have a 20 bit chip in it. And it is really not a let down to switch to. Sure the Classe separates have it beat overall,but at a cost of several thousand dollars. I must admit this has been a very pleasant surprise. Very glad that I did not sell this unit. And by the posts to this thread it seems keeping it was a very good idea. Oh I will have the Classe gear repaired. But the sonic differences between the two are so close, I wondered why I made the jump to more expensive gear. Guess we have all been in that boat. Long live the Denon DCD 1560.
    denf
    241 posts
     
    Boy, what a great "blast from the past". Also, couldn't agree more. Denon's top models from that era were always very musical beasts indeed.

    Indeed, my first "real" CD player was the venerable Denon DCD1500II (two? generations prior to the 1560), back when the general, ignorant consensus was that "all good CD players sounded the same". It was hard to beat it, and then the subsequent models after, at anything NEAR the price back then.

    I then upgraded to the DCD1520, then ultimately on to the 1560, before going totally insane from there...

    The DCD1560 truly is a "classic" CD player.
    ferrari OP
    617 posts
     
    Well my now primary CD Player has developed tracking problems and needs service. So the Denon DCD 1560 is pressed into service.

    But before that I decided to trade in the 1560 for the new NAD 542 CD Player. So I packed up the 1560 went to the local NAD dealer to see what kind of deal I could make. New the NAD 542 is $499.95. Was offered $125.00 for the 1560 leaving a balance of $374.95. Okay I can swing that. But first let me audition the NAD 542. The NAD 542 is a marvelous player and has HDCD 24 bit chip and all. What was really surprising was the sonic signature between the 1560 and NAD 542 was surprisingly small. The NAD 542 has the 1560 beat in all areas, but by only the smallest of margins. The NAD should outperform this venerable 1560 as it has 14 years on the Denon. But to my amazement the 1560 was hanging right in there and could not be overall faulted for it is performance. The sales staff there also commented that the differences were small as well. One staffer commented that the build quality was better on the Denon 1560 than the NAD 542. The only major difference was that the NAD 542 has the HDCD chip and the Denon 1560 does not have HDCD, but does have a 20 bit chip. But I do have HDCD with the primary player. Decided not to do the deal as in my opinion there is not $375.00 worth of difference between the two. Most of the staffers also agreed that the difference was probably not worth it,unless I just had to have HDCD.

    So yes the Denon DCD 1560 remains a keeper after 14 years since it was new. This is one of audios most enduring products that keeps delivering the promise and few products can make that statement years down the road. Pure value for the money.

    Have since installed the Denon DCD 1560 into the main system, while my $2,000.00 CD player needs service after 6 years.
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