Denon

DNP-2000NE Network Player

£1,399 RRP

Denon has introduced a new network audio player that boasts many useful features and capabilities. Competitively priced at £1,399/ €1,599, the DNP-2000NE promises a lot. Naturally, it's a traditional full-width component that looks great in a hi-fi rack. Its light blue display is informative and large enough to be seen some distance away despite this being a slimline design that's not too tall. It's a thoroughly modern hi-fi streamer aimed at a growing market for this product type. 

As you'd expect from Denon, it comes comprehensively equipped with all the bells and whistles you'd expect nowadays. The fascia sports a volume knob for the headphone jack as well as a powered USB A port which can play out files from a USB stick or a portable hard drive. Around the back are optical and coaxial digital outputs, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas, an HDMI ARC input, an RJ45 Network connection, and two optical, one coaxial and one USB digital inputs. Bluetooth is available but only uses the basic SBC codec; Airplay 2 is also supported. 

The DNP-2000NE's connectivity allows it to form the backbone of a modern home AV system, with TV sound via the Audio Return Channel (ARC), and digital inputs for perhaps a CD player so that the high-quality internal DAC can be used. There are both fixed and variable sets of RCA outputs, so you can connect the unit directly to a power amplifier or active speakers should you so wish. About the only thing missing is a phono and line input, which many will have covered in other ways.

Naturally, all this can be controlled from the buttons on the DNP-2000NE's fascia, the supplied remote control, or the HEOS app. The latter is available for both Apple and Android devices and caters to multiroom control with many other HEOS-enabled devices. The software is compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri voice-activated control, and is also Roon tested. Supported files include MP3, WMA and AAC, plus WAV, FLAC, and ALAC files up to 24-bit, 192kHz resolution or DSD up to 5.6MHz. Via the USB interface, PCM and MQA up to 32/384 and DSD 11.2MHz is possible. All of which should be enough for most people.

Internally, there are two separate large EI transformers delivering current to the power supplies, fitted with large filter capacitors and with separate power to the analogue output circuitry. Denon proudly stamps 'ULTRA AL32 Processing' on the front face of the unit, which is the company's own upsampling protocol. Four separate ESS 32/384-capable ES9018K2M 2-channel DAC chips do the actual digital-to-analogue conversion. The unit feels solid at 9.7kg, and its brushed aluminium fascia looks classy; a choice of black or silver finishes is offered. Even today, the unit's 'Made in Japan' moniker remains a hallmark of quality and attention to detail. 

Getting a DNP-2000NE going straight out of the box is easy enough. If you are using wired Ethernet, just connect the cable, and you're good to go. If Wi-Fi is your choice, a couple of extra steps are required to get connected. You will need to download the HEOS app to your device. Once the unit is connected to your home network, the app will automatically find the player, along with any other HEOS-compatible devices that you may own. The app allows you to set up zones within the home, stream music and access streaming platforms.

The supplied remote control works well and makes the process of listening to music pleasingly straightforward. I enjoyed being able to pause or skip a track via the remote rather than using the app for such repetitive and menial tasks. Indeed, the HEOS app isn't the best that I've tried, at least for the moment. At the time of writing, it does not support Tidal Connect, cannot handle Qobuz, and is only 'Roon Tested', so it currently works through Airplay. You can access Tidal via the HEOS app, but it's still a touch clunky and slow to respond by the standards of other rival software solutions. Spotify Connect works well, as does Apple Airplay 2, but it has limited resolution. I ended up streaming Qobuz tracks through Roon, which was fine. At least the app is stable, and I understand that many software engineers are currently working to improve it. 

THE LISTENING

The Denon DNP-2000NE is a fine-sounding streamer with a smooth yet engaging character that is certain to win friends. Sure, its performance is ultimately dependent on the source material. Still, the Denon allows lossy music from Spotify to sound enjoyable while also having the ability to highlight the merits of high-resolution streaming from Tidal and other such sources.

For example, the way that Help Me Lose My Mind by London Grammar sounded put the Denon strongly into affordable audiophile territory, with the haunting voice of Hannah Reid locked in the centre, well resolved and expressive. The sound has a nice balance, with no particular area unduly highlighted. Bass notes are tight and well-extended, and there is a satisfying rhythmic flow to the track. It's not thunderous or overpowering but is solid and forms the backbone of the sound. 

Tonally, the Denon's midband is ever so slightly well-lit but still smooth enough, and it retains a decent amount of texture and timbre. Both male and female voices are well-catered for without sounding hollow or unnatural. Concerto for Two Mandolins by Los Romeros continues the theme, showing the DNP-2000NE innately smooth and detailed character. This extends up to the treble region, which is well-controlled and polite; it never shows any sense of digital glare or harshness. Acoustic instruments like strings, mandolins and guitars are easy to listen to for extended periods.

This is all very encouraging, as there is generally very little to fault about the Denon's sound quality. Only its ultimate lack of resolving power and dynamic expression separates it from more expensive components. It's not that there are any glaring difficulties that let it down; it's just that there's a lack of finely drawn resolution, transparency and detail. All the same, considering its price point, the Denon does very well.

The DNP-2000NE's slight politeness takes the edge of energetic, thrusting guitar rock. Listening to the grungy Artificial Red by Mad Season leaves you yearning for a little more rhythmic snap and attack, especially if you're used to more expensive streamers. This isn't the chest-poundingly powerful and dynamic sound that you get from a high-end network player, for example. Yet still, the Denon remains enjoyable to listen to – aided no doubt by its fine time-domain performance. Rhythm is delivered with accuracy and precision, making tracks like Still Got The Blues by Gary Moore satisfying and musically cohesive.

Via the wired Ethernet connection, Belly Side Up by Matt Corby via Tidal produces a broad soundstage with a width that extends way beyond the loudspeakers. The front-to-back depth perspective is good, too, with vocals locked tightly front and centre and all the instruments set around them. However, move to Wi-Fi, and things shrink slightly, with a less expansive sound. This isn't just a feature of the DNP-2000NE, as all streamers I've tried sound noticeably better when directly wired.

As with many network music players, when you compare a streamed source with physical media, the latter comes out slightly ahead. Putting the Tidal streamed version of Three Minutes by Johnny Warman against a CD rip copied to a USB hard drive was an interesting experiment. In a nutshell, I preferred the latter thanks to its superior image focus, better transient speed and more pleasing tonal balance compared to the Tidal version. It wasn't a massive difference, but it was both noticeable and repeatable. I also appreciated the sound quality coming from the 6.35mm headphone socket on the front panel. I tried several pairs of cans, and all sounded great, with plenty of detail, a generous soundstage, plus lots of drive and dynamics.

THE VERDICT

In the new DNP-2000NE, Denon has produced a well-rounded and competent network player representing good value for money. Its feature set should satisfy almost everyone; it has very pleasing build quality at the price, and most importantly, it is a strong sonic performer. It never sounds less than smooth and insightful and is enjoyable to listen to over a wide variety of musical genres. The HEOS app needs a little more polishing, but that shouldn't put you off, as this sort of software development happens quickly. The important thing is that hi-fi buyers have just got another highly capable streamer option to add to their shortlists – so do audition it if you can.

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