I started to build my first sound system about 9 years ago. Back then, I have Maggie SMGc, Cal lab Dx-1, Acurus DIA 100 with somoe MIT T-3 IC and VDH spk cable. The sound was very nice, as you can imagine from a maggie.

Then I sold all those gears and listened to Denon mini system for the past 4 years mostly because it is more convenient. Then I got the Denon receiver to watch some movies. However I was never satisfied with it sounds for music.

So I decide to get an audio system integrated with the receiver. I use one of the DLC inputs and set to unity gain for HT pass thru. So the front RL channels will still use the Forte amp. The sound is very smooth and it reproduce a very laid back sound, esp good in jazz, vocal and some pop. Not very exciting or in your face type but I like it quite a bit. I think Stan Warren mod DVC-503 is an excellent bargain for 325 dollars. Overall the dvd player gives me a nice presentation of vocal and piano. It's a bit bass shy and his mod drop the output quite a bit. However, when I was listening to it last nite and turn it up a bit, all the bass are there. It won't make your jaw drop but this is what I am looking for in music reproduction (I used a sony sub for movie so bass is not a problem for me in movie). The DLC is anothe great one, it opened the soundstage a lot and is very very transparent. All my gears are bought used except the NSM speaker which I got for 460. It is an excellent speaker esp it you are not looking for a lot of bass, the imaging is superb with excellent balance in low and upper frequecy, which I found some speakers are overlly emphasizing either the bass or treble.

Any comment is welcomed.