Denon Bluetooth CD Player With AM/FM Radio

I have owned several different Denon CEOL units over the years — many years with the RCD-N7, then a bit of time with the RCD-N10, and now the RCD-N12. The listing here is for the RCD-N12 model, which is referred to as being “the 2023 model.” But if you read MOST of the reviews, you will see review dates back in 2020 and 2021 — “those would NOT be for this 2023 model.” Got that?

So, how is the RCD-N12? I’m happy with it. If you want to just play music via your phone or other device via Bluetooth, this is FAR more complicated than you might need. Just pair your phone with a Bluetooth speaker of your choice, and you’ll be on your way. This unit goes FAR, FAR beyond anything like that.

The real value of this unit is that it has an amplifier, and connections to connect a pair of “passive” speakers to it. Though, new with this model is a pair of audio outputs that you can connect “powered” speakers to, if that’s what you want to do. That’s part of why I updated my system to this one, as I have been using powered speakers more and more often these days. Though, I do continue to use passive speakers with this unit — it’s just a bit more “future proof” than previous models have been.

Speaking of speakers, I can give you an example of the complexity of this system. The RCD-N12 can be purchased in a package with a pair of speakers designed to fit with it — and there are settings in the SETUP menu that provide specific equalization for THOSE speakers. And you DO NOT want to use that equalization if you are connecting any other speakers to this unit. Yet, the equalization for those specific speakers is the DEFAULT mode — you want to turn that OFF if you have some other speakers. So, if your speakers don’t sound that great, go look for this setting, and turn it off.

And so on.

Many reviews talk about things like “connecting phones to the USB input,” which didn’t work — and indeed, “that’s not what the USB input is designed to work with.” The manual clearly states that the USB input is designed to be used with files on USB drives — and one of the primary uses I have for it is to use its menu system to control the playback of files on USB drives. So, there’s a certain amount of “you need to read the manual” involved in some of the negative comments about this unit.

Many reviews talk about problems “after installing an update” — but from everything I can find, the RCD-N12 does not have any such updates available. But yes, if you’re reading an update from 2020, for instance, that would be for an older unit, and there might have been problems with an update for one of the older units. But that’s not what’s being sold here.

And so on, again.

Frankly, in order to install an update, you have to connect one of these things to the Internet, which is NOT a very easy thing to do. Presumably, Denon decided to make this “simpler” with the RCD-N12, by forcing you to use its “HEOS” app in order to connect to WiFi routers if you’re using a password on one, and so on. Since I don’t think I would ever use the HEOS app for anything otherwise, I’m just not planning on installing it on my phone. And thus, I won’t be connecting my RCD-N12 to the Internet. Which is OK by me.

In the end, the Denon RCD-N12 is just one of MANY options you could choose from to solve your home sound system needs — I use it to play files from USB drives, and to connect to a TV set with an optical connection. It can do a number of other things, but it’s certainly worth your time to read through the manual and understand whether it can do what you want done, or not.

About the only negative I can mention has to do with the USB file playback function — some models ago, and including in the RCD-N12, Denon decided that WE SHALL ALL USE A QUEUE FUNCTION, AND BE HAPPY ABOUT IT. I REALLY just want to play files that I have carefully named and saved into folders. Yet, if you play one file, that file WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR QUEUE, whether you want it there, or not. So, I am forever “clearing the queue,” which I would turn off IN AN INSTANT, if only I could. Still, you can choose an option to “Play Now” each time you start playing files in a folder, and there’s another option to “Play Now and Clear the Queue” — and that’s the magic ticket for my needs.

But once again, that speaks to the complexity built into this unit. Yes, there is enough complexity to frustrate people, but for those who can dig through the menu systems and such to figure things out, it probably can do things that very few other systems can do. I have been using these small Denon systems for around a dozen years, and I have been satisfied with their sound quality and the functions they can perform. And the RCD-N12 continues to get the job done the way I want it done. Except for that dang Queue, of course.

I ordered this receiver because it’s the only one out there that has all of the features I need in a compact unit (FM radio, CD player, USB port and Wi-Fi capability for Internet radio). It hooked up pretty easily and sounds really good with my previous Onkyo bookshelf speakers, especially using a powered subwoofer. I haven’t downloaded and installed the firmware upgrade via Wi-Fi (yet) because of some stories I’ve read about the unit not working well afterwards. The remote works great with all features clearly labelled. An online manual spells out all of the capabilities. Do give it a look over before buying to make sure that it has all of the features that you desire. Haven’t tried the HEOS app. that allows for various streaming services as I’m not sure I would ever use it.
My only small nit is that the unit is a dust magnet, but that’s easily remedied. I’ll amend this review if I encounter any problems.
*Note* I tried to save $100 by buying a refurbished Denon receiver from a well known online dealer and two different times the units were plagued with problems right out of the box (CD tray not opening, volume stuttering, etc.). Quality control at Denon and this dealer was terrible. The last unit even had a card enclosed stating that it had passed a rigorous inspection, which was completely false. To be fair, the dealer was quite prompt in accepting a return, but buyer beware regardless.

This is a very versatile receiver. Works very well with my B&W tower speakers.

****ACTUALIZACIÓN AL 27 DE MAYO DEL 24
Todo parecía ir bien a 3 meses de haberlo adquirido pero sin motivo o razon a empezado a desconectarse solo de la red, estoy escuchando radio por internet o en streaming por Spotify y de repente marca “desconectado de red”, cuando mi red es estable ya que ningún otro aparato sufre desconeccion, así que debo desconectar el denon de la red eléctrica y volverlo a encender y así se restablece la conexión a internet. Ya valide versión de software pensando que pudiera ser eso y está actualizado.
Lamentable,no me esperaba eso.

A pesar de tener un detalle al recibirlo, se pudo solucionar. Pero el aparato en sí es una maravilla, un sonido claro, limpio y con fuerza.
Es practico de tamaño y fácil de usar, se conecta muy sencillo con otros dispositivos e internet. Una perfecta mezcla entre lo vintage del cd y el streaming de hoy.
Totalmente recomendable.