For Immediate Release
Contact: Sara Trujillo
Dobbin/Bolgla Associates
212) 388-1400
E-mail: sara_trujillo@dba-pr.com

Parsippany, NJ, January 7, 1999—Denon Electronics, a world leader in digital audio technology, is showcasing the world’s most sophisticated multi-play CD system at CES ’99—the DCM-5000 100-disc CD changer system. Offering unmatched functionality and versatility, the DCM-5000 includes a host of advanced features such as dual CD transports for continuous music playback, a PC control interface and compatibility with the Escient Tune-Base CD management system, along with true audiophile sound quality thanks to its next-generation 24-bit ALPHA processing and built-in HDCD decoding.

Total Control and Convenience

Winner of a CEMA Innovations ’99 Design and Engineering Award, the Denon DCM-5000 is designed to provide the ultimate in mega changer convenience and control. It incorporates dual CD transports, which gives the DCM-5000 the ability to change discs virtually instantaneously; while one disc is playing, the next disc is selected and cued. The DCM-5000 also includes a Cross Fader function that automatically "mixes" the sound from the dual transports, gradually fading out the end of one track while fading in the beginning of the next for continuous uninterrupted music playback.

 Unlike the plastic transports and inexpensive mechanisms used in mass market mega changers, the DCM-5000’s ultra-reliable dual transports and changer mechanism are derived directly from Denon’s broadcast CD changers, which have logged hundreds of thousands of hours of use in the most demanding studio and professional applications.

The DCM-5000 can be connected to as many as five additional DCM-5001 100-disc slave changer units, for a 600 disc total capacity. Both the DCM-5000 and DCM-5001 include independent dual zone capability—one CD can be playing in the main room audio system, while another CD can be played through a second system (such as a whole-house audio system) at the same time.

The Denon DCM-5000 offers a variety of control options that make it easier than ever for the user to organize and access an entire CD music library. Standard control functions such as play, stop, random play and so on can be activated from either the ergonomically designed front panel or via the supplied remote control—but that’s just the beginning. The user can also connect a standard PC keyboard directly to the DCM-5000 and enter disc/name information into the DCM-5000’s memory; once entered, this information is displayed for easy identification when the disc is selected for playback. Each CD can be assigned to any of up to eight musical categories (i.e., "Rock," "Jazz," "Country" and so on), and the user can choose to listen to only CDs within a particular category at any time. CD TEXT CDs are also supported.

The DCM-5000 also includes a standard RS-232 serial port, allowing it to be controlled by a personal computer. And for the ultimate user interface, the Denon DCM-5000 is compatible with the Escient Tune-Base CD management system. Escient’s Tune-Base system, which has an Internet PC-based engine and proprietary software, connects to the DCM-5000 and the home theater system’s monitor TV. Because every CD has a unique Table of Contents, the Escient

 Tune-Base system is able to look up the names of each CD (using the CD’s unique identification code) and enters its title, artist’s name, song title and even album cover into a custom, personalized database. A graphical on-screen interface then allows the user to choose and play the desired music simply by clicking on album cover art and song titles!

Advanced Engineering for Audiophile Sound Quality

Along with its unparalleled playback versatility, the Denon DCM-5000 provides true audiophile sound quality, superior to even esoteric high-end CD transport/ D/A converter combinations. Key to the DCM-5000’s superb audio performance is Denon’s new 24-bit ALPHA processing technology, a proprietary analog waveform reproduction technology that uses newly developed interpolation algorithms to provide 24-bit resolution from conventional 16-bit CDs. The DCM-5000 incorporates the finest available 24-bit Burr-Brown D/A converters for ultimate sound quality. The DCM-5000’s ALPHA processor also incorporates an adaptive digital filter that automatically adjusts the low pass cutoff frequency, for improved pass-band and impulse response. The result is a dramatic leap forward in CD sound quality, with vastly improved low-level detail resolution, outstanding dynamic range, precise imaging, a wider and deeper soundstage and a far more natural musical presentation.

Built-In HDCD Decoding

In addition, the DCM-5000 incorporates the Pacific Microsonics HDCD decoder chip to obtain the full sonic benefits of HDCD-encoded CDs, which offer greater resolution and dynamic

range than standard CDs. HDCD is a multi-stage process that overcomes the limitations of

the 16-bit CD format by using a patented system to extend the dynamic range of CDs to a

20-bit level, while remaining completely compatible with the CD format. The DCM-5000’s built-in HDCD decoder also improves the sound of non-HDCD discs, thanks to its high-precision digital filter. More than 2,000 HDCD titles from major artists are currently available, with the list growing rapidly. 

The Denon DCM-5000 carries a suggested retail price of $1,800, and the DCM-5001 100-disc slave changer unit is available at $1,300 suggested retail.

Denon Electronics is Japan’s oldest audio company. Founded nearly 90 years ago, the company has a long history of technical innovations, including the development and first commercialization of PCM digital audio recording.

Visit Denon on the World Wide Web at www.del.denon.com