Densen's line of sleek, brushed-aluminium hi-fi separates is not known for regular changes of models. So, when a new model is added, it's for good reasons. We've had plenty of enjoyable experiences with amplifiers and CD players from the brand and were excited to be the first recipients of the latest CD player addition to the range.
The existing Densen CD player is the B-400 XS that remains in production. There is also the B-400 Plus, which is no longer in production. The B-410's raison d'être is that it extends the possibility of Densen ownership to less well-heeled audiophiles; the B-410's price undercutting the B-400 Plus. It shares a few features with these existing 400 models, but there are enough differences in important areas to make it effectively a unique machine
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Densen's Beat B-410 is upgradable by software download (though it's not clear what those upgrades may consist of). It also has some other identifying features including the ‘Digital Denlink', which couples it to a suitable Densen digital input (DAC or processor) with better integrity than that provided by S/PDIF. That's on a small D-connector at the rear, alongside a further pair of D-sub connectors that serve to connect the unit to other Densen equipment for unified control.
Speaking of connectors, Densen uses a BNC for the digital output (coaxial only, there's no optical link). This is switchable to reduce stray emissions when it's not in use, while the analogue output appears on two sets of sockets. In terms of ergonomics, the player is a little unprepossessing: the display is neat enough, but the transport (a computer-style one) is clunky and not incredibly fast to load discs. Worse, one of our pet peeves – the lack of fast forward and reverse on the front-panel controls – is made particularly aggravating by the fact that the remote control, the admittedly very cool Gizmo handset, is an optional extra costing a cool $450.
