Denon Dm39 in-depth review

Where do I begin to even start with the review of the Denon DM39 should I start with a quote?
 "The champion micro for so many years is back, and better than ever." What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision magazine. Well what about the 5 star review also from What Hi-Fi or what about the DM39 being voted best product of 2012 and best micro system of 2013. Which? also gave the DM39 a best buy award of 2013 for micro Hi-Fi units. So it's no run of the mill Hi-Fi, but is it worthy of all those awards and does it still cut it after more than a years use from myself, lets find out.

To kick it off, lets talk....... 

What's new

New Micro Component System gives you clean dramatic sound, and more life to iPod and iPhone music libraries
New cosmetic design
Digitally transmitted audio from iPod, iPhone and iPad (via USB) for best sound quality
“Simple & Straight” circuit design minimizing distortion from the input selector, electronic volume and power amp for sound purity and free of coloration
Triple Noise Reduction Design (T.N.R.D.) to preserve signal purity
DAB/DAB+/FM tuner
Digital input for Digital gear for upgrading the sound of your Apple AirPort Express, or your TV set
Speaker Optimizer circuit for high quality sound with SC-M39 speaker system
Easy-to-use remote control handset
Serious Hi-quality Sound ensured by award winning engineering
30 W + 30 W high power output and a robust power circuit providing stable supply of electric current
High-precision 192kHz/32bit D/A converters to reproduce high definition sound
European sound-tuned serious hi-fi quality
Large buttons for easier operation
Easy-to-read front 2 line FL display to identity music tracks or broadcast stations at a glance
Plug ‘n Play setup
Easy timer setting
Auto standby mode
iDevice charging even in standby mode
Low power consumption in standby mode

iPod functionality

The Denon DM39 as you know works with iPod but here is a list of which ones are compatible
iPod Classic, iPod nano 3G/4G/5G/6G, iPod touch
1G/2G/3G/4G, iPhone 1G/3G/3GS/4G

Specifications

1 x USB socket, 1 x Optical input, 1 x Analog input, 1 x Sub Out, 1 x pair of speakers, 1 x CD player, 1 x FM / DAB antenna, 1 x headphone output
Power output: 30W x 2 (6 ohm)
Tuner: DAB+, DAB, FM
Dimensions mm (W x H x D): 210 x 115 x 308.5
Weight: 4kg
Standby power: 0.3W
System remote: (RC-1162)

Aesthetics

Well the DM39 is quite the looker, its front facia is finished in a lovely brushed metal finish whereas the rest of the body is finished in a plain unaltered finish. But least it's all metal and not some horrible plastic. The styling is very simple but quite effective, it is a very nice looking Hi-Fi unit. Its more functional in form than it is stunning beautiful, but it fits in nicely with most set ups. It has very nice curved edges rather than harsh straight lines, this softens the look and makes it look more modern than some rivals at the same price tag.
You can also get the DM39 in Silver which again is lovely but I prefer the Black finish as it matches the rest of my equipment.
The sides and top feature cut outs for enhanced cooling, this doesn't detract too much from the simple design, but it's a necessary feature to keep those components from overheating.

Front panel

The front panel is very simple and clean and features a few buttons for use if you lose the remote. Handy as misplacing the remote can happen all too often.
The front panel features a screen to show you what's happening as you use the Denon, now screens on Hi-Fi units are nothing new but this one is very clear and very easy to read what's being displayed. Fair enough the font and style is a bit retro but it works.
Move down a little bit and you get the CD drawer, which actually blends nicely and I sometimes even forget it has one. Which is good as its not an eyesore or a simple oops I forgot lets put a CD drawer there. It's more thought out and blends into the design quite seamlessly.

Moving down you get the power button and a small led light to let you know when the Denon is powered. Move across and you have the USB / ipod input. In there you can place your aforementioned Ipod and use that to play music via the Denon, however if you're like me and don't use an ipod you can simply place a USB drive in there and it will work fine.
Move across again and you get a headphone output and the volume dial. Finally move up from the volume dial and you get your main controls for the front panel.
Here you get an eject button for the CD, a play / pause button, stop / band changer (for radio), source button and your skip forwards and backwards button.
All in all it has a fair amount of features, yet it doesn't look cluttered or overwhelmed by an abundance of shiny things to press.

Rear panel

The rear panel has quite an array of connections given the Denons' small footprint. On the panel you get your antenna for your radio and DAB, a right and white analog input, a digital optical input, a subwoofer out, your terminals for one set of speakers, your power input and finally a few cooling slots.
Its very nicely laid out and easy to find your way around, everything is clearly labelled and easy to read and just makes connecting it up a real simple experience. Nothing gets in each others way and the connections are nicely spread apart, even despite its small size. I think Denon have done a really great job at making it very user friendly and simplistic for even the most inexperienced person to set it up.

Connections

The USB / ipod connection at the front works without issue, in all the time I've had the Denon I have never had a single problem with the connection. It recognises a variety of different USB drives and can handle multiple folder of music with ease. As for connection an ipod, I will have to admit I have never tried it and that's only because I don't own one. The USB connection is 5V and 1amp just for those who are curious to know.
The antenna round the back is a coax 50 ohm antenna, you do get a cable supplied which works fine for FM stations but for some reason I can't get the DAB to connect. Not sure if it's the area where I live or if I have done something wrong but it just won't connect. I more than presume its the area where I live and not an actual fault of the unit. Or maybe it's just I haven't set it up right. Anyway DAB is there but luckily I dont really listen to the radio so its a feature that I don't use.

The analog in (Red / White) can be used to connect mp3 players and phones via a cable such as the

Cable Mountain 2m 3.5mm HQ to 2x Phono Plugs Gold Metal Cable from Amazon. It works very well and allows you to connect any type of mp3 player or phone.

The digital optical can be used to connect to modern TVs, DVD players, Blu ray players etc. The optical input is a bit fiddly though for my liking. I used it to connect to my Samsung TV and I found it very tricky to get the optical cable to fit in the back of the Denon, I think it's because it only fits one way and it's difficult to tell which way round that is.
The sub out is again an option but one I haven't had the opportunity to use. Maybe if I had I larger room I would have felt the need to pair a sub but as I don't, I never used it. However it is great as those of you with larger rooms can easily add a sub if required. This will then give you a 2.1 setup rather than just stereo.
Speaker terminals are rated at between 6 to 16 ohm and you can power one set of speakers. The connection is good a can cope with bare wire and banana plugs. Both options provide a secure fit and provide a solid connection. I have mine with bare wire as I have lost my banana plugs and to be honest it's a really good connection, even with the very thick wire I use.
Finally you get your plug with is a two input to a country specific plug dependent on where you are in the world.

In use and remote

Because of the solid connection and button input the front panels' connections are very accurate and I have never had fault in use of them at all. They have worked 100% of the time without fault. As has the remote it's a bit on the large side as all areas of the DM39 can be controlled via this. The remote itself is very nice, its nicely made and has a lovely glossy black finish to the front portion. The buttons are soft to the touch and feel very nice to use.
The remote has too many features to list but obviously includes the basics such as volume control and your play / pause configuration.
It also features options for your initial set up, which by the way was very simple, all you really need to do is plug in the aerial, your speakers and set up the DAB and FM radio. All very simple to do and not very time consuming either.
Using the remote to switch through the interface is very fluent and quick to react and makes using the Denon a breeze. Because its not a complex system there is nothing much to go wrong and it just works. Not like that's a bad thing, every option is easy to find and you dont have to go through tonnes of sub menus to get to what you want.
I haven't really had any issues with the remote or the Denon to speak off and I still have the original batteries in the remote, which shows that it's a good remote and doesn't destroy batteries at whim. 

Sound quality 

Now to the main event..... The sound quality.
Well I have heard the Denon paired to quite a few sets of speakers. They are as follows.....

Gale 3010s
Dali Zensor 1
Monitor Audio BR1, BX1 and BX2
Wharfedale  Diamond 9.1
Boston Acoustics A25
Cambridge Audio Sx50

So instead of telling what every set sounds like I will give a summary of a few that I have used most often.
Well its pretty incredible to be honest, especially with the Dali Zensor 1 and Monitor Audio BX2. Both of which I have extensively tried before my purchasing of the Zensor 1. The BX2 sounded amazing, they aren't the most naturally bass focused speakers but the little Denon managed to make them deliver. The mids and highs where the BX2's main focus and all I could do was sit back and listen in awe at how they sounded. The BX2 really did perform amazingly, the vocal reproduction was top quality and amongst the best I have ever heard and all this from a little Hi-Fi unit.
However I could not justify the extra £50 over the Dali so I bought them. Thats not to say that the Zensor 1 aren't amazing because they truly are but they weren't as good the BX2 (In my opinion).
Speaking of the Zensor 1 (my personal speakers) they too sound amazing. Again the Dali isn't hardwired for bass but the Denon manages to bring this out and without spoiling the rest of the sound field. The bass although not the most punchy or weighty Ive heard really has texture and a certain vibrancy to it, now this is part Denon and part Dali as well. The mids and highs are amazing and again partly down to the Denons improved sound skills.

Now to the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, the only speakers I have used extensively on another amp. The amp in question was a Cambridge Audio Topaz AM5. (I have heard the Zensor 1 on other sources but not as extensive as the 9.1) So the Diamond 9.1 sounded pretty good on the AM5, but as soon as I bought the Denon I noticed a massive improvement, the sound just opened up and was in every way better than the AM5 could offer. The bass became much tighter and more controlled and it really loosened up the congested mid tones and just gave a better overall sound quality increase. That's not saying the AM5 is bad, its just the Denon has so much more to bring to the table.

The Sx50 with the DM39 are pretty amazing as well (the Sx50 are being tested still as this is being written). The Sx50 are a naturally bassy speaker, however the Denon (with a few tweaks) has managed to bring this under control and really make it apart of the sound rather than just something thats less inclusive. The Denon really has and really does make them sound really great.
My current settings are Bass 0, Treble +6, Bias central and SDB Tone is off.
Oh and the SDB Tone is essentially like a small boost to the Bass and Treble, its handy to have but I haven't actually used it as I prefer the sound without it.
Back to the Sx50 and they really do sound good on the Denon as do all the other speakers I have tested. Its not really a fussy system and you can pretty much pair most speakers (its capable of powering) and it will do its best to make them sound good. In all honesty only the 3010s didn't sound good but then again they aren't very good speakers to begin with.
Now to the radio quality. It again is very good, to be honest I don't think I have ever heard the radio sound as good. The best radio stations on offer for sound are Radio 1 and Capital, they seem to offer the best quality (in terms of sound) but I guess its down to preference on which stations you prefer to listen to.

So overall a massive improvement over the AM5 and probably dare I say the best mini Hi-Fi currently on sale today.

What's missing and Problems

Well Bluetooth or internet functionally would be nice but that would drive the price up to way past affordable for most everyday consumers which is where the Denon is aimed at. However I am at some point going to buy a Bluetooth adapter for the Denon to see if that works and whether it works or not I will include my findings in this review and on my YouTube Channel. But hopefully it will work then I can stream from my Nexus 5.
So apart from the lacking Bluetooth nothing is really missing from this amazing package.

As for problems or negatives I can't say that I have found any and I am one of those people that likes to find problems but I just can't find any, especially not for such a great price. Its just very impressive across the board and I can really see why it has all those awards.

Overview

At £179 from Richersounds http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hi-fi/denon/dm39/deno-dm39-blk or the same price from Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/denon-dm39 you really can't go wrong with this amazing mini Hi-Fi unit. With only wireless connectivity missing the Denon really is a full package for everyday to more avid listeners of music. I don't have a bad word to say about it and I can easily recommend the DM39 to anyone who is looking for an amazing Hi-Fi unit.

To hear the Denon in action head over to my channel https://www.youtube.com/user/AcousticAppraisal and take a look at the following videos

Denon DM39 review
Cambridge Audio SX50 review and sound test
Dali Zensor 1 review and sound test

If you want you can follow me on Twitter for the latest updates to my channel and learn more about me. https://twitter.com/Ac_Appraisal