denon amplifiers [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

smithie

12-06-2019, 11:22

hi all
i recently brought a denon pma-350se integrated amplifier (unfortunately it doesn't have the optional phonecard and cover...anyone got these lying around to sell me?)
anyway ive been really impressed with it within the context of my budget system that i now have,it really seems to gel well with the lovely Sony speakers i have.......£190 for this pairing and well impressed!!
anyway i have a couple of questions for any denon buffs out there with experience....
firstly i really need to get hold of the optional plug in phono board and shield for this amplifier so i can bring my amp rack box count down and still play my records,does anyone know if the less powerful 250se version uses the same quality and spec optional phono board,i ask as there seem to be more of the 250se out there and i might get lucky there.
the other question is what other denon amplifiers old or new offer this sort of sound quality thats on par or maybe offers a bit more as the 350se im using(any real sleepers out there left?)??
feel free to email me that answer to the last question if you wish as i know once a list/recommendations comes up on the net/forum then a originally cheap to buy amp can suddenly become mega expensive sort after item and develop cult status:lol::lol:

regards
smithie

Macca

12-06-2019, 12:28

The PMA250UKSE is the one to go for or failing that any of the original models with the white graphics. Much better than the mark 2 onwards. I can say this on the open forum as no-one ever listens to me.

Not all have the phonostage (mine did) and I have no idea if it is the same phono stage in the 350 but if you asked me to bet I'd say it is.

smithie

12-06-2019, 13:12

lolol,im listening to you martin:lol:
thanks for your advice and heads up,is this the one your on about...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DENON-PMA250-SE-Stereo-Integrated-AMPLIFIER-Amp-Fully-Working-Line-Level/192932498132?epid=110958313&hash=item2cebac4ad4:g:yogAAOSwGhZc7pJy ?

if so then i thought that might of been a step down over what i have due to the extra controls built in over the one i have...
http://xelectrical.com/item/Denon-PMA-350SE-757

of course mine is more power so maybe its losing out something on the lowered powered version,plus mines remote and may add something to the sound to,just not sure ill get away with the wattage on a friday night with the lower powered amp and my speakers:rolleyes:
of course im assuming thats the amplifier your on about martin,there seems to be so many with nearly the same title through the various years:scratch:

Macca

12-06-2019, 15:24

Nope not them, they are the later ones. They are okay but not special. I'll see if I can find a pic of the ones I'm taking about in a bit when I get home. They look cheaper and cruder but they sound a lot better than the later ones.

Macca

12-06-2019, 16:44

These are the ones to look for, 250 or 350. Note the different graphics from the later models:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PMA-250-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier-UK-Edition-Model/264345936110?epid=110958313&hash=item3d8c3ee0ee:g:vSwAAOSwKWhc8ugv

Macca

12-06-2019, 16:48

That ones no good to you though as no built in phono - so I've bought it - see if it is as good as I remember.

thingfish

12-06-2019, 16:56

Denon like Phillips offer no excitement.......Fine players, but imho err too much on the bland.

They do nowt wrong......... But .

Im off for a cup of Coco and repeat of Mash.

Macca

12-06-2019, 17:09

Mark 2 on I agree. But these older ones are a cut above. Although I last had one in 1993 so it's a long time ago.

thingfish

12-06-2019, 17:30

First cds I remember buying was A-Ha (can't remember title) & Simple Minds (Glittering Prize)

I still have em and both sound wonderful.........not one sign or cd rot.!!!

smithie

12-06-2019, 18:54

That ones no good to you though as no built in phono - so I've bought it - see if it is as good as I remember.

please post your thoughts and views when you get it martin as i would love to know your views and thanks also for showing me the right model.
ive had alot of hifi gear through my hands over the 40 years ive been playing and listening with this stuff but must confess i never went into the Japanese amp stuff to much other then sony who i use to work for and got silly discount on there graded stuff.
whatever the views on the denon i have, to these ears and in my system with my speakers im quite impressed and hence my curiosity to try a better version of this make amp from whatever age.
ive also got a yamaha a320 and a marantz pm40se coming....did i mention im curious:lol:
so to one and all feel free to recommend some cheap excellent sounding jap integrated that will best what i have, from modern day to days gone by.
im using these speakers and really am enjoying them and are idea for my crap small room.would love to get the bigger double bass driver versions
https://manualzz.com/doc/2555572/sony-floor-standing-speakers-ss-x70ed

Macca

12-06-2019, 19:17

please post your thoughts and views when you get it martin as i would love to know your views and thanks also for showing me the right model.
ive had alot of hifi gear through my hands over the 40 years ive been playing and listening with this stuff but must confess i never went into the Japanese amp stuff to much other then sony who i use to work for and got silly discount on there graded stuff.

I don't know about the right model but it's the version I think is best.

thingfish

12-06-2019, 19:19

Marco

12-06-2019, 19:24

Old cd players sound best.......

Imho

https://i.imgflip.com/33b1h9.jpg (https://imgflip.com/i/33b1h9)via Imgflip Meme Generator (https://imgflip.com/memegenerator)

Shit pic but it's a Marantz CD-73

Big bastard, clunky drawer, no remote, sounds sublime.

They don't make em like they used to.

No, it's an established fact! :exactly:

Same as your last sentence.... Nice.

Marco.

smithie

12-06-2019, 19:36

Old cd players sound best.......

Imho

https://i.imgflip.com/33b1h9.jpg (https://imgflip.com/i/33b1h9)via Imgflip Meme Generator (https://imgflip.com/memegenerator)

Shit pic but it's a Marantz CD-73

Big bastard, clunky drawer, no remote, sounds sublime.

They don't make em like they used to.

i love those,well look and build wise,would of been a killer and must have for me if it had used the tda1541 dac,alas the 1540 dacs i never really warmed to but it was only in a marantz cd54....my first cd player

smithie

12-06-2019, 19:40

I don't know about the right model but it's the version I think is best.

well as i said martin it will be interesting to hear your views and thoughts after such along break from it,if it still does it for you then i may have to try one out!!

hifinutt

12-06-2019, 20:18

had a 250 se here recently with some harbeth p3esr , not bad at all really considering it was so cheap . my relative still uses it as a back up for his little denon dm41 if it needs repair [ which it has once already ]

simon g

13-06-2019, 07:20

smithie

13-06-2019, 09:30

If you want an inexpensive amp with a more than decent phono stage, look out for a Creek 4140S2. Quite old now, so probably in need of a service, but not necessarily. The one I bought new around 30 years ago or so, is still going strong. £200-300 would get you a very nice Creek EVO, if you wanted something a bit newer. Later Creeks don't have the bounce, energy and fun of their earlier model though, IMO.

hi simon
thanks for the heads up regarding the creeks.
trouble with the older model is it already seems to have hit a classic/cult status and fetching the sort of prices to match s/h,at the end of the day i have a yamaha as2100 that if i ever get fixed will be my end game for amplifiers(hopefully).
this is just a bit of fun and a real interest with a injection of curiosity after being totally surprised with the little denon amp i have.