Denon DCD-900NE – CD Player with Advanced AL32 Processing Plus & USB
The Denon DCD-900NE is a high-fidelity CD player designed to extract detailed, accurate sound from both physical discs and high-resolution digital music files. It combines Denon's Advanced AL32 Processing Plus with an ESS ES9018K2M DAC, DAC Master Clock Design, carefully separated analogue and digital circuitry, and a vibration-resistant chassis. Along with conventional CD and CD-R/RW playback, the front USB-A port supports high-resolution PCM audio up to 192kHz/24-bit and DSD files up to 5.6MHz.
Key Features
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Advanced AL32 Processing Plus: Denon's proprietary digital processing uses data interpolation, up-sampling and bit-extension techniques to reconstruct digital audio waveforms with greater precision.
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ESS ES9018K2M DAC: High-performance digital-to-analogue conversion provides detailed and accurate reproduction from CD and USB sources.
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DAC Master Clock Design: The clock architecture is positioned close to the DAC to help suppress jitter and improve digital conversion accuracy.
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CD & CD-R/RW Playback: Supports standard audio CDs as well as compatible recordable and rewritable CDs.
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Front USB-A Input: Allows compatible USB storage devices containing digital music files to be connected directly.
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High-Resolution PCM: Supports compatible WAV, FLAC and AIFF files up to 192kHz/24-bit through USB.
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DSD Playback: Supports DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz files from compatible USB storage devices.
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ALAC Support: Plays compatible Apple Lossless files up to 96kHz/24-bit.
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Pure Direct Mode: Allows the display and digital outputs to be switched off to minimise potential interference during analogue playback.
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Separated Analogue & Digital Circuits: Separate rectifier circuitry helps minimise interaction between the analogue and digital sections.
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High-Grade Audio Components: Uses carefully selected and customised components for high-quality audio reproduction.
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Short Signal Paths: Circuit layouts are designed to minimise signal-path length and reduce unwanted interference.
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Optical & Coaxial Digital Outputs: Allows CD audio to be sent digitally to a compatible external DAC, amplifier or receiver.
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Gold-Plated RCA Output: Provides a high-quality fixed stereo analogue connection to an integrated amplifier or preamplifier.
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Aluminium Front Panel: Provides a premium appearance and rigid construction.
Disc Compatibility
| Audio CD |
Yes |
| CD-R |
Yes |
| CD-RW |
Yes |
| MP3 on CD-R/RW |
Yes |
| WMA on CD-R/RW |
Yes |
| SACD |
No |
| DVD-Audio |
No |
| Blu-ray Audio |
No |
Digital Audio Technology
| Digital Processing |
Advanced AL32 Processing Plus |
| DAC IC |
ESS ES9018K2M |
| D/A Conversion |
Advanced Segment |
| Digital Filter |
Advanced AL32 Processing Plus |
| DAC Master Clock Design |
Yes |
| High-Resolution PCM |
Up to 192kHz / 24-bit via USB |
| DSD |
2.8MHz / 5.6MHz via USB |
| Pure Direct Mode |
Yes |
| Digital Output Off |
Yes |
CD Audio Performance
| Channels |
2 Channels |
| Playable Frequency Range |
2Hz – 20kHz |
| Frequency Response |
2Hz – 20kHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
115dB |
| Dynamic Range |
101dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion |
0.0025% |
| Signal Type |
16-bit Linear PCM |
| Sampling Frequency |
44.1kHz |
| Line-Level Output |
2.2Vrms |
USB PCM Audio Performance
| Channels |
2 Channels |
| Maximum PCM Resolution |
192kHz / 24-bit |
| Playable Frequency Range |
2Hz – 96kHz at 192kHz Sampling |
| Frequency Response |
2Hz – 50kHz (-3dB) at 192kHz Sampling |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
115dB |
| Dynamic Range |
110dB – 24-bit |
| Total Harmonic Distortion |
0.0020% – 24-bit |
| Output Level |
2.2Vrms |
USB DSD Audio Performance
| DSD Support |
Yes |
| Supported DSD Rates |
2.8MHz / 5.6MHz |
| DSD File Types |
DSF / DFF |
| Playable Frequency Range |
2Hz – 100kHz |
| Frequency Response |
2Hz – 50kHz (-3dB) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
110dB – Audible Range |
| Dynamic Range |
108dB – Audible Range |
| Total Harmonic Distortion |
0.0015% – Audible Range |
| Output Level |
2.2Vrms |
USB-A File Support
| USB Port |
Front USB Type-A |
| USB Standard |
USB 2.0 High Speed |
| MP3 |
Yes |
| WMA |
Yes |
| AAC |
Yes |
| WAV |
Up to 192kHz / 24-bit |
| FLAC |
Up to 192kHz / 24-bit |
| AIFF |
High-Resolution Playback Supported |
| ALAC |
Up to 96kHz / 24-bit |
| DSD |
Up to 5.6MHz |
| USB Storage Playback |
Yes |
Inputs & Outputs
| Analogue Audio Output |
1 × Stereo RCA |
| RCA Terminals |
Gold-Plated |
| Line-Level Output |
2.2Vrms |
| Optical Digital Output |
1 |
| Coaxial Digital Output |
1 |
| Optical Digital Input |
No |
| Coaxial Digital Input |
No |
| USB-A Input |
1 × Front |
| USB-B DAC Input |
No |
| Balanced XLR Output |
No |
| Headphone Output |
No |
| Remote Control Bus |
Input / Output |
Digital Output Specifications
| Coaxial Digital Output |
0.5Vp-p / 75Ω |
| Optical Digital Output |
-15 to -21dBm |
| Digital Output Source |
Compatible CD Audio |
| Digital Output Disable |
Yes |
Playback Functions
| Program Playback |
Yes – CD |
| Random Playback |
Yes |
| Repeat Playback |
Yes |
| Track Search |
Yes |
| Fast Forward / Reverse |
Yes |
| Pure Direct Mode |
Yes |
| Display Dimmer |
Yes |
| Display Off |
Yes |
| Auto Standby |
Yes |
| Remote Control |
RC-1246 |
Construction & Engineering
| Front Panel |
Aluminium |
| Power Transformer |
EI-Type |
| Separated Analogue / Digital Rectifier Circuits |
Yes |
| High-Grade Audio Components |
Yes |
| Customised Components |
Yes |
| Vibration-Resistant Construction |
Yes |
| Detachable Power Cable |
Yes |
| Gold-Plated RCA Terminals |
Yes |
Network & Wireless Features
| Wi-Fi |
No |
| Ethernet |
No |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| HEOS® Built-in |
No |
| AirPlay 2 |
No |
| Network Streaming |
No |
General Specifications
| Brand |
Denon |
| Model |
DCD-900NE |
| Product Type |
CD Player with USB High-Resolution Audio Playback |
| Available Finishes |
Premium Silver / Black |
| Maximum Dimensions (W × D × H) |
434 × 328 × 107mm |
| Weight |
Approximately 4.7–4.9kg – Market Specification Dependent |
| Power Supply |
AC 230V, 50/60Hz – European Specification |
| Power Consumption |
24W |
| Standby Power Consumption |
0.3W |
| Operating Temperature |
5°C – 35°C |
System Integration
The Denon DCD-900NE is designed primarily as a high-quality digital source for a stereo hi-fi system. Its fixed stereo RCA output connects directly to a line-level input on an integrated amplifier, preamplifier or receiver, using the DCD-900NE's internal ES9018K2M DAC and Advanced AL32 Processing Plus. Alternatively, the optical or coaxial digital output can send compatible CD audio to an external DAC or digital-equipped amplifier. The front USB-A port expands the player beyond physical CDs by allowing compatible high-resolution PCM and DSD music files stored on USB devices to be played through the DCD-900NE's internal digital-to-analogue conversion stage.
