Denon D-F 102 (DRA-F102/DCD-F102/SC-F102)

Author's product rating:   

How is the Sound Quality?	Excellent
How is the Look & Design?	Excellent
Range of Features	Excellent
Durability	Excellent
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	State of the Art Sound
Disadvantages:	None that I know of

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Before I start regarding this system, a word of advice, really shop around, I personally saved over £100 by buying this over the internet compared with what the high street electrical stores were charging. I paid £327 for the DF-102 System and £68.99 for the SF102 speakers as seperates, instore the system sells for £499.99.

The Hi-Fi comes in two systems, the CD Player (DCD-F102) and a AM/FM Stereo-DAB Receiver (DRA-F102 DAB), both units are silver, and the Speakers are Silver with a removable black front cover. A Remote Control is also supplied with this system (which takes 2 AAA batteries) as well as a DAB indoor antenna.

Firstly I will explain the CD Player's Specifications:-

The measurements are as follows:-

250mm wide x 78mm high x 250 depth and the unit weighs 2.9kg.

The player only takes one CD.

The front of the unit has the normal run of the mill buttons:-

Power Indicator
Display
Skip Buttons
Search Buttons
Stop Button
Play/Pause Button
Disc Tray Open/Close Button

It has an information display which shows the following:-

MUSIC CD'S

Total number of tracks
Total playing time
Track number
Elapsed time

MP3/WMA Files

Total number of folders
Number of tracks
Folder number
Elapsed time
Track Name
Artist Name
Album Name

The Rear Panel of the unit has:-

Line out terminals
Digital Out Optical terminals
System Connector Jacks
AC outlt
Power Supply Cord

This CD Player is very simple to use and has a great display, all the functions on the CD Player can be used from the Remote Control.

The AM-FM Stereo/DAB Receiver

The measurements are as follows:-

250mm width x 250mm depth x 74mm high

It weighs 4.0kg

On the front panel of this unit are the following:-

Power Operation Switch
Power Indicator
Remore Control Sensor
Display
Portable In Jack
Phones Jack
Volume Control Knob
Menu/Set Button
Tuning Button
Band Button
SDB/Tone Button
Function Knob

On the Rear of the panel are the following:-

Antenna terminals
Mono out terminal
System connector jack
Dock control jack
Speaker system terminals
AC outlet
Power supply cord
Digital Opt Out Terminal
Analog Input terminals
Analog output terminals

The Information Display on the front of the unit displays various information relating to the name of the radio staion, preset station names, volume level, time, function, tone adjustment level etc.

Speakers

The speakers have a total 120 watts power handling with a 2 way bass reflex design. The speakers measure:-

264mm high x 182mm wide x 233 depth and weigh 5 kg each.

My Opinion

This is a sound system completly worthy of its price. It has an all metal casework and as well as sounding out of this world it also looks stunning and because of it coming in two seperates is very easy to locate anywhere.

I love the way the DAB radio displays what song and artist are playing on the radio stations and the true crystal reception you receive. My CD's have never sounded so good, in fact the quality of sound this hi-fi gives makes you think they are CD's you have never heard before.

I also love the idea that you can build this hi-fi up, you are able to add a Cassette Deck (DRR-F102) to the system if you wish which is priced around £149.00, and also they do an I-Pod and Docking Station to, which makes this HI-FI even more alluring.

I am no stereo or electronics buff, but I am really impressed with this stereo, it's ease of use, it's style and I love the control of the remote, the fact I don't even have to leave my chair, unless of course I want to change the CD, unfortunately that is one thing it lacks. The remote is slightly larger than most, but it has the added function of I-Pod control, Cassettes etc already on it, so if I do add to my system I can function all the new components from it too. I would totally recommend this hi-fi to one and all and it really is worth every penny I paid for it. Brilliant, and what's more I cannot fault a thing, and I have hardly needed to use the Instruction Manual as it is so very easy to use and program in.