Does anyone listen to CDs anymore?

Denon just announced a new network audio player, the DNP-720AE ($499) that streams music from a variety of online services, your own PC and your iDevice.

The new player, about the size of a Blu-ray player, connects to the web via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It joins a host of other recent AirPlay-compatible machines now hitting the market in it’s ability to channel tunes directly from a user’s iPhone, iPod, etc, wirelessly. 

If you’d rather get at content directly from a NAS drive or your PC, the unit also is DLNA certified, allowing streaming from other DLNA products, including may Android tablets and smartphones.

Among the network music services it offers are Rhapsody, Napster and Pandora. A USB port permits access to music from portable drives. The news release doesn’t mention any internet radio services, so hopefully that’s something Denon can think about for a firmware update.

The unit can be easily integrated into a large control or distributed music system and controlled via IP by systems from Control 4, Crestron, AMX, URC, Savant and RTI.

While it comes with a handy remote, Denon also provides a free control app via the iTunes store.

Grant Clauser - Technology and Web Editor, Electronic House

Grant Clauser has been covering home electronics for more than 10 years with editorial roles in several consumer and trade magazines. He's done ISF-level damage to hundreds of reviewed products and has had audio training from Home Acoustics Alliance and Sencore. He's also the author of the book The Trouble with Rivers. Follow him on Twitter @geclauser.