Denon D-M33S CD/AM/FM Micro System

by Denon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 21 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 30 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0009XHGGY
• Item model number: D-M33S
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,438 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description The Denon D-M33S CD/AM/FM Micro System delivers the natural, richly detailed sound that listeners normally expect from high-end individual components, but in a single compact package. The difference lies in the system's high-quality parts and construction. Building on the basic design of Denon's critically acclaimed D-M31 and D-M30 units, the system employs capacitors developed for high-quality audio within its power amp circuitry, along with Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converters to ensure maximum clarity from your CDs. In addition, Denon collaborated with European sound designers and technicians to develop a refined speaker system that makes CDs, MP3s, and WMA files (recorded on CD-R or CD-RW media) sound terrific.

The D-M33S Micro System delivers high-end sound in a compact package. View larger.

Main unit features a front-loading CD player and digital AM/FM tuner. View larger.

Back panel includes all the connections you need for speakers, antennas, and more. View larger.

Each stereo speaker features a 4.75-inch woofer with an inverted-profile double-layer cone along with a 1-inch soft dome tweeter. The one-piece woofer design doesn't use a center cap, thus providing greater rigidity across the bass cone's surface. And thanks to the speakers' detailed "finite element analysis," which ensures optimum thickness in the sub-cone and a superior connection between the main cone and voice coil, the audio is consistently stable and rich. The speaker cabinets, meanwhile, are constructed of medium-density fiberboard and optimized through laser-scan measurements. Listeners will also appreciate the five-way binding post terminals, which ensure a high-quality signal transfer. And the speaker's European-style wood grain finish make the system an elegant addition to your office or den.

In addition to the front-loading CD player, the D-M33S also includes a digital AM/FM tuner with 40 station presets, making it easy to switch to your favorite program in less than a second. Listeners can also custom name each preset station using up to eight characters. Plus, the tuner is capable of receiving Radio Data Service (RDS) broadcasts, with text display of any radio text offered by RDS stations. Additional features include a built-in clock with several timer functions; Super Dynamic Bass (SDB) circuitry that boosts the low frequencies for a fuller overall sound; two sets of analog stereo inputs and outputs for connecting such components as an external tape deck or a CD recorder; a subwoofer preamp output; and an optical digital output.

The D-M33S's main unit measures 8.25 by 3.75 by 14 inches (W x H x D), while the speakers measure 5.56 by 7.5 by 9.81 inches each. The system is also backed by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
D-M33 main unit, two stereo speakers, remote control, two AAA batteries, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, two 10-foot speaker wires, two foam plugs, pad with eight self-adhesive nonslip cork pads, warranty card, user's manual.

Product Description

Personal Audio System • AM/FM Tuner • 22 watts per channel into 6 ohms • CD Player with 8x oversampling • New Burr-Brown PCM-1741 24-bit/96-kHz Audio DACs • WMA 9 and MP3 decoders • Plays CD-R/CD/RW • Subwoofer Output • Clock/Timer • All new, Denon Original 2-way bass reflex speakers, with European Speaker Designers Sound Tuning • Speakers feature 1” Soft Dome Tweeter, 4¾” inverted profile, double layer cone woofer • MDF Cabinet and 5-way speaker binding posts • System Remote • UPC CODE 081757506489

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding for a mini system, October 1, 2005

By 

Douglas Ferguson "fergymunster" (Philadelphia PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Denon D-M33S CD/AM/FM Micro System (Electronics)

I picked up this system about 5 days ago.I needed something to replace my outdated Panasonic mini system.With that being said all give you my take on it.The CD's I've listened to sound absolutely amazing.It's down right soothing.It's built around the Burr-Brown PCM-1741 DAC from Texas instruments which makes sound quality exceptionable.Also the speakers are top-notch as well.Even at low or high volume they sound so crisp and clear with no distortion.This system also has a bass boost. What SDB (Super Dynamic bass)does is enhance the bass when you listen to the radio or CD's.However,you can only control the treble and bass with it in SDB mode.With it in s-direct mode the SDB is deactivated as are the bass and treble settings.Since I have a subwoofer I listen in s-direct mode and I would also highly recommend a subwoofer as it's almost essential to bring out what the Denon system is all about.I got the Mirage Omni S-8 subwoofer which works for me.If you can't afford one then I would recommend using the SDB as it does make it sound ok.Another important upgrade I found essential is to replace the provided speaker wire with the Audioquest Type 2 speaker wire.They sell it by the foot at two dollars a foot.I bought two 8' pieces and had them cut the first coating back 5" at both ends.When it arrived I stripped all the secondary coatings about 1" exposing the wires.Then twisted each secondary coating,black with black and red with red, together and then wrapped them with electrical tape careful not to touch the wires.After that all you do is twist the wires together and inserted the wires into the speakers and the unit that are clearly marked both red and black.After break in the difference was dramatic.Just one complaint.The provided antennas for the radio are rendered useless.You'll need to replace these with another antenna of some sort.When you take all this into account I'm thrilled to report that this system is really something special.Currently there is really no competition in this price range.In this case you really do get what you pay for.Highly Recommended

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing special, January 24, 2006

By 

Ben (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denon D-M33S CD/AM/FM Micro System (Electronics)

I bought the D-M33S based on Denon's reputation and the Burr Brown DACs but after using it for two weeks I was not impressed. I could probably piece together a better sounding system for roughly the same price. For example, if you are willing to spend a little more I would recommend the Cambridge Audio Azur line. The pros of the Denon system are excellent build quality, small footprint and good looks but the sound is flat and dull. Also I experienced distortion at loud volumes, bass heavy music made the speakers rattle a bit. Looking at the specs the D-M33S is clearly aimed at audio enthusiasts. The non audiophile might be happy with the sound but just keep in mind $500 for a mini system is quite expensive nowadays. Especially when there are $100 systems from Sony, Panasonic etc. which are perfectly capable for the casual listener. From my own experience, better sound can be had for less than the asking price for the Denon system. I ended up with the Onkyo MC35TECH instead which was cheaper, has a 3 disc changer and a more dynamic sound.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Sound for a Micro System, June 17, 2007

By 

the bear (Mesa, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denon D-M33S CD/AM/FM Micro System (Electronics)

Rather than repeat what the other reviewers have said I will talk about some of the other points about this system that have not been mentioned. I have only had the system for a couple of hours.

Overall, I agree with most of the reviewers that is the sound is great for what your are getting in a mini/micro system. The build quality is also excellent. Stero imaging is also good, i.e. the speakers seem to disappear and the sound seems to be wider than the speakers and fills the space between the speakers. Keep in mind the system is sitting on my kitchen counter a foot from the edge of the counter. More careful speaker placement should yield even better sound.

You are not going to great bass performance from the system because of small physical size of the speakers. They cannot move much air, and the amplier does not have a lot of power to reproduce good bass at low frequencies. Bass performance is good if you do not want one of those thumper stereo systems.

My main criteria looking for a small stereo system is that it had to fit in a 11.5 inch high, 25 inch long bookshelf space in my condo, have great sound, play CD's that loaded from the front, play cassette tapes, and have an FM/AM radio.

That is a tall order to fill in this day and age. I looked at Best Buy and Circuit City and all they had was junk for $100-$200 or it looked like it came from outer space. The $500 price was at the top of what I wanted to pay for a system. Higher end audio stores did not carry these systems in my area.

I currently have a cheap Sony stereo in that space. The sound is OK but not great and the CD player opens from the top causing me to have to pull the system out everytime I want to load a CD.

This system does not play tapes and that is my only gripe. However, there are jacks for an external tape unit and one of playing modes is 'tape'. This system does not have a CD changer. My research showed that there are other similar Denon models that have CD changers but the reviews have not been very good regarding the quality of their CD changer. A CD changer is nice but not a must have for me. Just more stuff to go wrong. Keep it simple at this price point.

To evaluate the system I played some of my favorite CD's on a unit at Ultimate Electonics and loved the sound. If you cannot listen to the sound of the system go by the reviews as they are right on the money. You will not be disappointed.

I also agree with other reviewer recommendations to replace the speaker wire. If you are spending this much money a few bucks invested in speaker wire will make a huge difference. Lamp cord would be better than the speaker wire that comes with the system. The speakers are equipped with banana plug jacks. However the other end has cheapo, clamp style connectors where you insert the speaker into a hole and the wire is held by a spring loaded clamp.

Be sure you evaluate the sound of the system with the treble and bass controls at 0 equalization, i.e. there is no bass or treble added to the sound. The speakers did not break up at loud sound levels. Also keep in mind the sound should get better as the speakers break in over time. Be sure the bass boost system is turned off also.

This system has a bunch of different timers you can use to turn the system on and off when you want or set it to a specific time for an FM station to turn on or play a CD. This is a feature that I personally will not use very much.

FM and AM reception were good with the supplied antennas. The radio has a feature called RDS where you can see the name of the radio station, what song is playing and who the artist is. You can also find different types of music on the radio like easy listening, rock, pop, classical, etc. I live in a large residential area with 1 and 2 story homes. You may have reception problems if you live in a big city with tall buildings around you which causes multi-path distortion. Better antennas may be needed.

Overall, I had difficulty finding a store that carried good quality mini stereo systems and based and decided to checkout Ulimate Electronics and saw the Denon system. I then got on Amazon, read the reviews, and went back and played some CD's I am familiar with.

Be careful about the wattage rating as everyone plays games like using peak watts, or the total wattage for both channels. The one true rating for power comparison purposes is RMS watts per channel. The specifications state 22 watts per channel but I have no idea how that number was computed as RMS power was not mentioned.

If you are not fussy about sound quality I am sure you can find cheaper systems out there. However this system satisfied all of my requirements except being able to play cassette tapes which is less important to me than the physical size of the system and having great sound. Maybe I will look for a good exteral tape unit in the future.

I gave a rating of 4 stars as the unit should have had a cassette deck at this price point. Sound quality is 5 stars for this type of system.