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The B-420 digital colleague followed suit. So stop the presses for a moment. I’m well familiar with the common presumption which believes that components cut from the same cloth often don’t make for the best of partners. Particular virtues and faults doubled up can become too much of a good or bad thing. That such machines invariable look great together is no real argument for ear menschen. And all that’s true and often the case. Here I’d strongly recommend considering both components in tandem however. What the digital deck too moves into the foreground is musical flow, strong colors and exciting rhythmical timing. Likewise the bottom end is lean, dry and fast rather than fat and massive. Think fit like a Tour-de-France bicyclist without any excess gram of fat.


In combination, this Danish duo made for a very astute and ‘fast’ chain which applied itself to compromised Pop fare with the same gusto as it did to grand orchestral. Has Densen managed to pull off a stunt which routinely carries a dismissive subtext, namely something that's suitable for all seasons? Given my experience, I’d definitely say so. Yes!

The B-130 integrated is characterized by…
  • Sounding wide awake and ultra responsive to timing changes and voltage shifts.
  • Being lean, articulate and incisive down low.
  • Great spaciousness and a slightly warm yet natural midrange which doesn’t seem artificially enhanced.
  • A gently softened treble that nonetheless seems detailed and nuanced.
  • Taut timing and good flow.
  • Funtional modularity including phono and surround boards as well as an external power supply.
  • A generous 20-year warranty to the original owner.

The B-420 CD player is characterized by…
  • Playing with involving flow and well-defined lean bass which in trade isn’t completely extended.
  • Finely nuanced mids with a slightly warm but never artificially enhanced timbre.
  • A nuanced treble which avoids getting glassy or sharp.
  • Realistic soundstaging without excess but first-rate sorting.
  • Only playing audio CDs, no compressed data.
  • A modified DVD transport which occasionally spins audibly and is a bit slow to respond to commands.

Facts Densen B-130
  • Category: Class-AB integrated amplifier
  • Optional: Gizmo remote wand, €220
  • Weight: 13kg
  • Dimensions (WxHxD): 440x64x310mm
  • Trim: Silver or black
  • RMS power: 2x80w into 8, 2x160w into 4 ohms
  • Inputs: 4 x line level (RCA), 2 tape loops
  • Outputs: 1 pair of speaker terminals, 2 x pre-out (RCA)
  • Power consumption at idle: ca. 18 watts
  • Warranty: 20 years
Facts Densen B-420
  • Category: CD player (only accepts audio CDs)
  • Optional: Gizmo remote wand, €220
  • Weight: 8.2kg
  • Dimensions (WxHxD): 440x64 x310mm
  • Trim: Black or silver
  • Outputs: 2 x parallel analog RCA, 1 x BNC/SPDIF plus Digital DenLink
  • DAC: 24-bit
  • Power consumption at idle: ca. 8 watts
  • Warranty: 20 years
  • Website

redaktion @ fairaudio.de
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