I just got the little brother, the 1600ne, and I suspect it's also conservatively rated. My speakers sound so full and effortless despite the Denon supposedly having less wattage than my previous amp.
Thanks for the video Gene. Glad to see Denon is returning to making a few Hi - End products like they used to. To answer your question you could qualify me as an integrated nut. Currently use two solid state, one of which is the Anthem STR , and one tube. Love their more compact size, easy placement, and ability to still provide great sound.
I got the feeling that Denon just knows what they did in this amp. That is why they participate in your review so happily. They just know this amp is good and measurements will show it. Integrated amps are awesome. Not so much wires. And e.g. Anthem STR Integrated has awesome features.
I’ve got the mid range PMA 1520 AE... 70 watts @8 ohms... doubles into 140 @4 ohms! Amazing grunt and high current feeding a pair of Polk Lsim 707!! Awesome sound all the way 👍👍👍
This was highly informative and as we all know you seem to be a proud partner with Sound United but yet it felt as unbiased as one could expect. I recently updated my Sony STR ZA5000ES from 5 ear level speakers to 7. By way of a Schiit Vidar running the rear heights giving a full sounding 7-4-4 config. I suppose that seems like a lot for a regular guy. To spend $800 just to amplify rear heights which are not even my final speakers yet. Just some modest little Polk M3ii monitors, but they sound good enough for the time being. To think I could almost get 4 Vidar for the same price seems crazy. But it's apples and oranges I suppose. In other ways it's dollars and cents too. Looking forward to more reviews like this! Especially in the home theater category of 2 channel power amplifiers, surround speakers and height modules for Atmos and the like. -✌🏼
After the listening test, I chose the Yamaha AS-2200. Genuine balanced XLR, 88,000 microFarad, (attenuation or damping factor) 250. Found what I've been looking for for a long time.
Hello Gene, i have this beautiful amp with Martin Logan Motion 60xti, and I just fall in love! The sound perfect, and Denon Pma 110, it's a beautiful beast!
Thank you for the review. I am torn between this Denon bundle (integrated and SACD) and the Marantz 30 bundle. Both have their pluses. As is often the case, neither has everything I desire.
Love integrated amps and that unit is stunning. I wonder how it would compare to similarly priced Hegel (H 190 perhaps). In any case, the sound it actually produces would be fun to explore especially at low to mid volumes with a set of demanding speakers. Thank you Gene.
That was a great review! Kudos to Denon for verifying your measurements, that’s some Kaizen if I ever seen it. I really dig the graphite finish, and their knob game is red hot!
I have a Yamaha R-S700 100 watt stereo receiver (120 watts into 6 ohms). They do not provide power rating for 4 ohms continuous, but they do provide a dynamic power spec at 8/4/6/2 ohms of 140/170/220/290 watts. Being Yamaha, I think those are likely reasonably accurate. I was quite impressed that they provided a dynamic power rating at 2 ohms. The Denon amp no doubt can handle low impedances better, but I have no intention of getting Apogee speakers. I think the Yamaha receiver is a much better value than the expensive Denon integrated amp, and I do not see that the latter would actually serve better for my purposes. No doubt you would listen at higher levels that I do, which is usually 80-85 dB peak on my RS meter, occasionally 90 dB. Actual peak electrical power would be at least 10 dB higher, I suppose. My main speakers are the original Paradigm Signature S2 speakers, whose impedance gets somewhat below 4 ohms. It can also drive the PSB Stratus Minis, which are 3 dB less sensitive at 85 dB, whose impedance also gets below 4 ohms, which we have for movies in the Family Room in the basement. The Yamaha seems to have a very good phono preamplifier section. I do listen to CBC radio 2 (CBC is all FM nowadays) which has some excellent programming. I consider receivers are usually a much better value than integrated amps, probably because they sell lots more receivers. I notice you do not test the phono overload, which could be a useful measurement for those with high output cartridges.
I have that same amp and a polish magazine bench tested it and found it had about 150watts a channel. No idea why Yamaha underrates their stereos. It'll take some googling but you can find it.
@@joshuamirabal9891 There are different methods for determining power output. The owner's manual shows maximum power output for Europe models at 1 kHz .7% THD 4 ohms as 160 watts. The Asia ratings are 145/170 into 8 and 6 ohms @ 1 Khz. with 10% THD. So it's not necessarily underrating but different measurement standards.
For $3500 it’s spectacular/gorgeous one-box solution. Gene 🧬, would love to see you put a $3500 system that beats this in specs at the cost of being 2 boxes (pre amp and amp) and not as sexy looking! Thanks!
Thanks Gene, I have a lot of high end audio (tube amps, transistor…) but I miss my Denon PMA 2020AE. After your review I am want to buy a A110. Time to go back to listening music. Regards, Mark (The Netherlands)
Very rich and interesting feedback, but I do have a question that I can't find an answer to anywhere, about the feedback factor of this amplifier. It seems that Denon has remained silent on this subject...
Looking forward to the measurement on the denon, i tried the pma 2500 witch is very powerful with Just 80 watt per channel, it my 2nd favorite to the hegel h190
How does the H190 compare to the 2500ne? What speakers do you pair these with? I have Dynaudio special 40s and KEF R300s. Do they have pre-outs for a subwoofer?
I pair a pair of b&w 702 s2 to my Hegel h190 i really love how the pairing sounds, campared to denon, Hegel is quite different, but simular in some ways, the bass floats around more in the denon, Hegel is more neutral and tighter in the bass, you can’t go wrong with either, it will be up to taste, i could easily have both if i had the money, i like Hegel slighly more, the hegel is also very good when you controll the volume as you can adjust the volume with smaller steps, on the denon each step on the volume controll is quite big
Which sounds better the anthem str integrated amp or the Denon pma - a110. I have the Denon PMA 1600ne, which I like, is there much of a difference in sound quality? Thanks
Not sure which would sound better for easy to drive speakers and for moderate volume, but the Anthem STR integrated is much more powerful, at 200 wpc, which might make the Anthem better for certain speakers. I will say, I have heard the Anthem STR at audio shows, and it sounded fantastic.
Sorry I still listen to classical FM stations and Public radio and thus have a reciever at home. I still have a lot of respect for a Yamaha Integrated, Natural sound series that I had for many years. It even servived a direct lightning strike of the house main supply that tripped the mains 200 AMp breaker, melted down stuff and blew the top off of every IC on a new Mitsubushi TV. An inch of the Yamaha's copper circuit board trace evpaorated on the ground conductor where all the input jacks terminated, but I soldered back in a copper strip and it continued on for years.
How important is the measurement of the Dumping Factor on this AMP which you have not mention? your answer to this question is greatly appreciated... I am looking to buy a new integrated amp and perhaps you can give me a recommendation....
Love beefy integrated amps. This one Reminds me of a Marantz Pm95 I was lucky to own for a while. Gold finish, DAC on board (in 1988!) Made in Japan, 120x2 /8r Great sounding integrated Before it blew up :( I blame the guy in his 20s giving it a hard time.
Can you get a hold of the AVR 110 and compare the bench numbers to the Denon 8500...? Been watching RUclips videos from Denon stating that the AVR 110 has 100's of different, higher quality parts than the 8500 - and sounds much better too. Would be nice to get some unbiased confirmation.
Gene, comprehensive review. Big flagship integrated amplifiers are lovely products, especially the big Japanese players' better designs. A few comments. You state the amplifier has (@9:16) "has a lot of heatsink area, it's got two separate power supplies". It may have two transformers, but it only has a single power supply for the two power stage channels. Denon typically wire the single tap secondaries transformers in series and have done for many years now. It saves them money on a single, much larger transformer, like the giant potted (and expensive) toroids they used in the past. Pioneer also used a similar configuration in the late 1980s and into the 1990s with their flagship integrated amplifiers. In relation to the MM and MC testing, you have used 10mV input when Denon's specification conditions are 2.5mV. 2.5mV has been the defacto level for specifying MM input sensitivity for many decades across many brands. 4x the input (10mV) is excessive for testing. It does not serve to allow apples to apples comparisons and serves to inflate S/N results. The MC input is rated @200uV (0.2mV) sensitivity by Denon. You fed the MC stage with 2mV, 10 times their specification. Again, an excessive input level to test against rated specification.
Yea agreed I meant two transformers 1 for plus rail and one for minus rail. I couldn't find any standard drive levels to use for MC and MM so I used same input levels I did on Anthem STR and Marantz PM-11S3 and S2 and ensured I wasn't clipping the preamp. The levels can be scaled using 20Log(v2/v1) if needed but thanks.
Gene you once said the denon super receivers were technically better then even krell stuff at the time. We’d love you to test the Krell integrated amp and see what that $7500 gets you vs this.
Looks like a great amp and thanks for the indepth excellent review! I am curious about the onboard DAC performance and why they omitted a pre out for subwoofer? I can understand a devotion to two channel purity but pretty much all other competing options include this and this pretty much limits you to high level inputs like REL’s hookup method.
Quite a bit, all the way down to the circuit board manufacturing process, power source windings, capacitors, etc. For sake of comparison look at the regular Denon line integrated versus the product under review here.
@@trevorparmer5231 To most consumers, not many differences. If you are an engineer that likes to know about batch information down to the raw materials, then yes maybe…
Hi Gene. Denon have really done themselves a disservice by omitting a pre amp out and sub out here. A balanced input and output would be nice too. I would have bought this unit no question had it had these features. Let's hope the mark two version rectifies this situation. Thanks for the review. S
All these videos are great but I think makes should be more straightforward, if we all have to base our buying decisions on independent, and by all means completely welcomed, test of these pieces of gear because manufacturers are misleading either by means of very conservative ratings or the opposite, inflated claims, the process of decision making is awkward and frustrating. Honest and truthful ratings from the manufactures by law. Thanks so much for this clarifying instructive video Gene.
Hi Gene, what your thoughts on the marantz pm11s3 VS this denon a110? I love the marantz but having owned a gorgeous (and monstrous) denon pma-s10ii, there was something about what the denon did that I don't get with my pm11s3....i guess the denon was more bold and full bodied. I kind of miss that denon sound... Wonder if the a110 would replace my pm11s3...
I still have my Denon PMA-S10II and have yet to find an integrated that dethrones it. After trying more than ten highly regarded integrated amps (including Marantz PM-KI, Luxman, and Denon PMA-A110) - I play mostly LP's and it has a fantastic phono section. The Denon PMA-A110 was amazing as well (talk about value for money!), it is gorgeous, and the performance is hard to beat for someone who listens mostly to digital.
Gene we have the Marantz SA 14 S1 SACD player that you reviewed a while back. How does the companion piece to this integrated the Denon DCD A110 compare? Thanks
What are the benefits of having a power amp? Does it improve sound quality? Or is it just to play music louder? I have an AVR-A110 pushing 7 Focals, not counting the two powered subwoofers. Sounds great. Plays loud. Am I going to get better sound quality if I use a power amp. Is it necessary? Couldn't find an explanation in the @Audioholics channel. Thanks.
The A110 has some solid amplification. Focals are pretty sensitive speakers so unless your blasting it at volume 11 and hear your amplifier clipping before your ears, you're probably just fine with what you have. Also take our power amp quiz: www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/connecting-an-external-amp-to-a-receiver
Hi! May I kindly ask what would be the perfect amp for the Aria 948? I’m trying to decide if I should get the Denon PMA-A110. I have the 110 anniversary cd player as well. Thank you!
Too bad no sub outs and high pass. Put at least 2 independant high pass sub outs and pre outs for seperate amp. Why are these higher priced 2 channel Denons configured this way? Also why are the power ratings different?
Gene, would LOVE to see how the Denon Pma-1600ne at $1699 compares. Something tells me it would be a much better value. 70 watts into 8ohms 140 ino 4ohms, almost 40lbs....dual transformers....plenty of heatsinks. Made in Japan. Any opinion? And....accessories4less has them at $1200 factory refurbished by Denon with warranty:)
Is it better to use the DAC in the DCD A110 SACD player when paired with the integrated or the DACs in the integrated; reviewers are divided as to which approach sounded better.
13:50 You mentioned you wished there was as pre-out, I have to say there's no practical reason to buy this strictly for pre-out; you're either going to main-in to use it's power amplification capabilities or use it strait up as an integrated amplifier; it's a complete waste to use this for just it's pre-amp and I think Denon knew this and didn't bother with wasting connections on a pre-out no sane person would use other then "just for fun" for "measurements".
The ruby, i had it too and sold it, sound clean but dull. The denon a110 sounds much more alive and dynamic with a great sound quality. The bass is in the class D level with the a110 too.
Hey Gene, I share your love for Denon. However, I noticed that the Denon logo plate on one of the transformers was peeling off on one side! What's happening with that? Is that due to the heat?! We're talking about audio jewelry here and it's not good to see that nor gives confidence to Denon"s QC 😔
Hmm I didn't notice that when I had the top off but if you zoom in on the pic it does appear that way. Could be a camera angle illusion as I am not seeing any issue with the transformers. Or, it's possible the glue of the sticker didn't adhere properly to the metal during production.
@@Audioholics in the beginning of your video is wasn't much, but towards the end of your video, the peeling was more obvious. Anyway, great job with your measurements. All the best 🥂
Excellent review. A question: I am looking at the Focal Sopra 3 as my next loudspeaker. I have heard that this is a difficult lohudspeaker to drive. Will this Denon be sufficient to drive these speakers? I am looking at the Devialet Expert 220 Pro as Amplifier as well. Interested to hear about other opinions
I would think this would drive the Sopra 3 okay, but most people with Sopra 3 use much more powerful and expensive amps with them. Especially if you have a large room and want to play them loud.
Perhaps you have gone over this ground before, but could you explain to the average slob like, me the advantages/disadvantages of E frame transformers vs. Toroidals. I had always considered toroids to be the superior option as they are usually found in higher end equipment, like my Bryston 3B-ST.
Toroidal transformers better contain radiated noise than Ecore until saturation. Both are still viable and depending on physical space, a designer can chose one over the other.
Gene - Is your unit black of dark grey? If it is dark grey, did you buy this in US or did Denon ship you one from overseas? The Denon US site only had has a black one since release while in Asia and Europe, they have the dark grey color.
I've been wondering if amp/speaker manufacturers have thought about replacing this ancient 2 conductor speaker wire stuff with say fiber or even hdmi. Think of a speaker made with a variety of drivers each receiving their own spec. Freqz. Tunable at the amp. Sure seems like time to update this silly ancient inefficient 2 wire transport. Instead of these 250$ a foot silly cables.
How could they not put subwoofer pre-outs on this thing though? Most people don't have loudspeakers that don't need subs. I've got Cornwall IVs, so I'm good, although some may argue differently even on those, but for me the bass is perfect for music. 90% of my listening is music, but for that other 10%, I need sub pre-outs.
Great amplifier and - as always - a great review by Audioholics. The one thing he didn't mention is that this amp can deliver much wider sound stage as well as easily output 50W more per channel if you plug it with a $1,000 power cable (be aware, length no more than 1.5ft!!!!) ;)
Truly great review. Thank you. The effort and time spent on this level of detail is superb. Especially when dropping 4k on an amplifier.
I just got the little brother, the 1600ne, and I suspect it's also conservatively rated. My speakers sound so full and effortless despite the Denon supposedly having less wattage than my previous amp.
Thanks for the video! Let’s do a factory tour when you come to Japan some day
Thanks for the video Gene. Glad to see Denon is returning to making a few Hi - End products like they used to. To answer your question you could qualify me as an integrated nut. Currently use two solid state, one of which is the Anthem STR , and one tube. Love their more compact size, easy placement, and ability to still provide great sound.
I got the feeling that Denon just knows what they did in this amp. That is why they participate in your review so happily. They just know this amp is good and measurements will show it.
Integrated amps are awesome. Not so much wires. And e.g. Anthem STR Integrated has awesome features.
I’ve got the mid range PMA 1520 AE... 70 watts @8 ohms... doubles into 140 @4 ohms! Amazing grunt and high current feeding a pair of Polk Lsim 707!! Awesome sound all the way 👍👍👍
Those 707s are bada$$ I bought 3 sets of 703s i have a pop the hood video posted if you wanna see the inside build quality is also outstanding
Got one too driving my Dali Zensor 7 and man what a lovely sound
I love integrated amplifiers. I have listened to many and ended up with gryphon diablo 120
I'm glad you guys (ASR) are taking the high road now, will be nice to see all of you guys working to educate all sides of this hobby!
Yes I like Integrated Amplifiers , specialy this one.
This was highly informative and as we all know you seem to be a proud partner with Sound United but yet it felt as unbiased as one could expect.
I recently updated my Sony STR ZA5000ES from 5 ear level speakers to 7. By way of a Schiit Vidar running the rear heights giving a full sounding 7-4-4 config.
I suppose that seems like a lot for a regular guy. To spend $800 just to amplify rear heights which are not even my final speakers yet. Just some modest little Polk M3ii monitors, but they sound good enough for the time being. To think I could almost get 4 Vidar for the same price seems crazy. But it's apples and oranges I suppose. In other ways it's dollars and cents too.
Looking forward to more reviews like this!
Especially in the home theater category of 2 channel power amplifiers, surround speakers and height modules for Atmos and the like.
-✌🏼
I would like to see measurements of the outlaw Audio RR2160MKII. Can you review it?
Absolutely awesome review
After the listening test, I chose the Yamaha AS-2200. Genuine balanced XLR, 88,000 microFarad, (attenuation or damping factor) 250. Found what I've been looking for for a long time.
Amir and Gene, bringing sense and objective reality back into audio reviews. Great work.
Because measurements tell the whole story? Or because you havent had the right training to listen and assess?
Hello Gene, i have this beautiful amp with Martin Logan Motion 60xti, and I just fall in love! The sound perfect, and Denon Pma 110, it's a beautiful beast!
Thank you for the review. I am torn between this Denon bundle (integrated and SACD) and the Marantz 30 bundle. Both have their pluses. As is often the case, neither has everything I desire.
That is such a beautiful amplifier!
Love integrated amps and that unit is stunning. I wonder how it would compare to similarly
priced Hegel (H 190 perhaps). In any case, the sound it actually produces would be fun to
explore especially at low to mid volumes with a set of demanding speakers. Thank you Gene.
Late answer but I think it's better than the Hegel h120 and h390 that I had before.
That was a great review! Kudos to Denon for verifying your measurements, that’s some Kaizen if I ever seen it. I really dig the graphite finish, and their knob game is red hot!
It would be on my short list I was looking for a new integrated, and the Anthem STR integrated I'm using also has ARC, which is a must have!
how about testing the DENON PMA-1700NE int. amp ?
Hi Gene, still waiting for DCD A110 review.. when is that coming up?
Regards
I have a Yamaha R-S700 100 watt stereo receiver (120 watts into 6 ohms). They do not provide power rating for 4 ohms continuous, but they do provide a dynamic power spec at 8/4/6/2 ohms of 140/170/220/290 watts. Being Yamaha, I think those are likely reasonably accurate. I was quite impressed that they provided a dynamic power rating at 2 ohms. The Denon amp no doubt can handle low impedances better, but I have no intention of getting Apogee speakers. I think the Yamaha receiver is a much better value than the expensive Denon integrated amp, and I do not see that the latter would actually serve better for my purposes.
No doubt you would listen at higher levels that I do, which is usually 80-85 dB peak on my RS meter, occasionally 90 dB. Actual peak electrical power would be at least 10 dB higher, I suppose. My main speakers are the original Paradigm Signature S2 speakers, whose impedance gets somewhat below 4 ohms. It can also drive the PSB Stratus Minis, which are 3 dB less sensitive at 85 dB, whose impedance also gets below 4 ohms, which we have for movies in the Family Room in the basement.
The Yamaha seems to have a very good phono preamplifier section. I do listen to CBC radio 2 (CBC is all FM nowadays) which has some excellent programming. I consider receivers are usually a much better value than integrated amps, probably because they sell lots more receivers.
I notice you do not test the phono overload, which could be a useful measurement for those with high output cartridges.
I have that same amp and a polish magazine bench tested it and found it had about 150watts a channel. No idea why Yamaha underrates their stereos. It'll take some googling but you can find it.
@@joshuamirabal9891 There are different methods for determining power output. The owner's manual shows maximum power output for Europe models at 1 kHz .7% THD 4 ohms as 160 watts. The Asia ratings are 145/170 into 8 and 6 ohms @ 1 Khz. with 10% THD. So it's not necessarily underrating but different measurement standards.
For $3500 it’s spectacular/gorgeous one-box solution. Gene 🧬, would love to see you put a $3500 system that beats this in specs at the cost of being 2 boxes (pre amp and amp) and not as sexy looking! Thanks!
Hello, you mentioned nothing about the dumping factor. What is its value?
Thanks Gene, I have a lot of high end audio (tube amps, transistor…) but I miss my Denon PMA 2020AE. After your review I am want to buy a A110. Time to go back to listening music. Regards, Mark (The Netherlands)
did you buy one? Ikzelf sta op het punt
Very rich and interesting feedback, but I do have a question that I can't find an answer to anywhere, about the feedback factor of this amplifier.
It seems that Denon has remained silent on this subject...
Looking forward to the measurement on the denon, i tried the pma 2500 witch is very powerful with Just 80 watt per channel, it my 2nd favorite to the hegel h190
How does the H190 compare to the 2500ne? What speakers do you pair these with? I have Dynaudio special 40s and KEF R300s. Do they have pre-outs for a subwoofer?
No only tape out you probably have to run speaker wire to your subwoofer .
I pair a pair of b&w 702 s2 to my Hegel h190 i really love how the pairing sounds, campared to denon, Hegel is quite different, but simular in some ways, the bass floats around more in the denon, Hegel is more neutral and tighter in the bass, you can’t go wrong with either, it will be up to taste, i could easily have both if i had the money, i like Hegel slighly more, the hegel is also very good when you controll the volume as you can adjust the volume with smaller steps, on the denon each step on the volume controll is quite big
On the Hegel you have line in for subwoofers or power amps, the denon does not have that
I had Hegal H190 and I think a110 sounds more holographic and better detailed.@andreasmoller9798
Excellent comprehensive tests.
Please make a detail video on 2500 ne
Which sounds better the anthem str integrated amp or the Denon pma - a110. I have the Denon PMA 1600ne, which I like, is there much of a difference in sound quality? Thanks
Not sure which would sound better for easy to drive speakers and for moderate volume, but the Anthem STR integrated is much more powerful, at 200 wpc, which might make the Anthem better for certain speakers. I will say, I have heard the Anthem STR at audio shows, and it sounded fantastic.
Thank You Gene The Audio Machine ! 😆
Class A/A-B weight matters !
What i call Torque Powaaahaa ! (Muscle)
Sorry I still listen to classical FM stations and Public radio and thus have a reciever at home. I still have a lot of respect for a Yamaha Integrated, Natural sound series that I had for many years. It even servived a direct lightning strike of the house main supply that tripped the mains 200 AMp breaker, melted down stuff and blew the top off of every IC on a new Mitsubushi TV. An inch of the Yamaha's copper circuit board trace evpaorated on the ground conductor where all the input jacks terminated, but I soldered back in a copper strip and it continued on for years.
I just want a denon avp-a1hda replacement Lol !
#metoo
How important is the measurement of the Dumping Factor on this AMP which you have not mention? your answer to this question is greatly appreciated... I am looking to buy a new integrated amp and perhaps you can give me a recommendation....
I wish you would bench mark the Marantz NR1200 I really wanna know wtf is going on inside this thing
Love beefy integrated amps.
This one Reminds me of a Marantz Pm95 I was lucky to own for a while.
Gold finish, DAC on board (in 1988!)
Made in Japan, 120x2 /8r
Great sounding integrated
Before it blew up :(
I blame the guy in his 20s giving it a hard time.
Excellent review, thank you.
Can you get a hold of the AVR 110 and compare the bench numbers to the Denon 8500...? Been watching RUclips videos from Denon stating that the AVR 110 has 100's of different, higher quality parts than the 8500 - and sounds much better too. Would be nice to get some unbiased confirmation.
It looks like Beauty and the Beast ; finesse and power . I'm sure it sounds amazing .
Gene, comprehensive review. Big flagship integrated amplifiers are lovely products, especially the big Japanese players' better designs.
A few comments. You state the amplifier has (@9:16) "has a lot of heatsink area, it's got two separate power supplies". It may have two transformers, but it only has a single power supply for the two power stage channels. Denon typically wire the single tap secondaries transformers in series and have done for many years now. It saves them money on a single, much larger transformer, like the giant potted (and expensive) toroids they used in the past. Pioneer also used a similar configuration in the late 1980s and into the 1990s with their flagship integrated amplifiers.
In relation to the MM and MC testing, you have used 10mV input when Denon's specification conditions are 2.5mV. 2.5mV has been the defacto level for specifying MM input sensitivity for many decades across many brands. 4x the input (10mV) is excessive for testing. It does not serve to allow apples to apples comparisons and serves to inflate S/N results.
The MC input is rated @200uV (0.2mV) sensitivity by Denon. You fed the MC stage with 2mV, 10 times their specification. Again, an excessive input level to test against rated specification.
Yea agreed I meant two transformers 1 for plus rail and one for minus rail.
I couldn't find any standard drive levels to use for MC and MM so I used same input levels I did on Anthem STR and Marantz PM-11S3 and S2 and ensured I wasn't clipping the preamp. The levels can be scaled using 20Log(v2/v1) if needed but thanks.
Gene you once said the denon super receivers were technically better then even krell stuff at the time. We’d love you to test the Krell integrated amp and see what that $7500 gets you vs this.
Love integrateds Gene, Thats a beauty, I dont understand why pre ins instead of pre outs .but other than its a great amp, thanks for the review,
Looks like a great amp and thanks for the indepth excellent review! I am curious about the onboard DAC performance and why they omitted a pre out for subwoofer? I can understand a devotion to two channel purity but pretty much all other competing options include this and this pretty much limits you to high level inputs like REL’s hookup method.
Hey Gene what is the difference between the av110 and the 8500h
Very little. The new chassis color, 8K, and slightly tweaked sound. Listen to both but most people I don’t think will hear a difference.
Quite a bit, all the way down to the circuit board manufacturing process, power source windings, capacitors, etc. For sake of comparison look at the regular Denon line integrated versus the product under review here.
@@trevorparmer5231 To most consumers, not many differences. If you are an engineer that likes to know about batch information down to the raw materials, then yes maybe…
great videos once again 👏. excited for next one .
How would this compare to a Parasound Halo integrated?
Upgrade or not?
Hi Gene. Denon have really done themselves a disservice by omitting a pre amp out and sub out here. A balanced input and output would be nice too. I would have bought this unit no question had it had these features. Let's hope the mark two version rectifies this situation. Thanks for the review. S
2000 Era Denon, fantastic!🤓😎😬 Yes, I know and have one.🤫😇
So this amp sounds better than AVC-110 ? and the AVC sounds more powerfull? always in stereo 8ohms. Thanks!
Excellent review Gene! The kind of detailed review with objectve measurement and free of BS that is sorely lacking on the Internet, especially on YT.
I’d like to see your measurements on the Luxman new 507z
Kann you buy it as just a power amp?
You get a thumbs up just for the Floyd shirt.
All these videos are great but I think makes should be more straightforward, if we all have to base our buying decisions on independent, and by all means completely welcomed, test of these pieces of gear because manufacturers are misleading either by means of very conservative ratings or the opposite, inflated claims, the process of decision making is awkward and frustrating.
Honest and truthful ratings from the manufactures by law.
Thanks so much for this clarifying instructive video Gene.
Great shirt! Enjoyed the video
Good review...
Hi Gene, what your thoughts on the marantz pm11s3 VS this denon a110? I love the marantz but having owned a gorgeous (and monstrous) denon pma-s10ii, there was something about what the denon did that I don't get with my pm11s3....i guess the denon was more bold and full bodied. I kind of miss that denon sound... Wonder if the a110 would replace my pm11s3...
I still have my Denon PMA-S10II and have yet to find an integrated that dethrones it. After trying more than ten highly regarded integrated amps (including Marantz PM-KI, Luxman, and Denon PMA-A110) - I play mostly LP's and it has a fantastic phono section. The Denon PMA-A110 was amazing as well (talk about value for money!), it is gorgeous, and the performance is hard to beat for someone who listens mostly to digital.
Gene we have the Marantz SA 14 S1 SACD player that you reviewed a while back. How does the companion piece to this integrated the Denon DCD A110 compare? Thanks
Just perfect. Thanks, Gene!
Any testing on who good and powerful the headphone amp is so it will drive some good headphones like Audeze . Great report.
I have this amp and want to use it to power Kef R11s. Do you think they would make a good match?
l want this amp and matching CD player.
I love my integrated Yamaha A-S2200. I’d love for Gene to review and bench test the 2200!
So there good for a pair of bp 9060’s ?
What are the benefits of having a power amp? Does it improve sound quality? Or is it just to play music louder? I have an AVR-A110 pushing 7 Focals, not counting the two powered subwoofers. Sounds great. Plays loud. Am I going to get better sound quality if I use a power amp. Is it necessary? Couldn't find an explanation in the @Audioholics channel. Thanks.
The A110 has some solid amplification. Focals are pretty sensitive speakers so unless your blasting it at volume 11 and hear your amplifier clipping before your ears, you're probably just fine with what you have. Also take our power amp quiz: www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/connecting-an-external-amp-to-a-receiver
@@Audioholics thanks for the quick response. Took the quiz. Scored a 4. I should be fine as you said. I appreciate what you're doing to educate us.
Hi! May I kindly ask what would be the perfect amp for the Aria 948? I’m trying to decide if I should get the Denon PMA-A110. I have the 110 anniversary cd player as well. Thank you!
Sir,
What is going on with the storm audio processor????
Too bad no sub outs and high pass. Put at least 2 independant high pass sub outs and pre outs for seperate amp. Why are these higher priced 2 channel Denons configured this way? Also why are the power ratings different?
Isn't the Yamaha AS801 that you measured still more powerful than this at similar distortion numbers?
Did you ever do a review on the HK 745. I have one available and it seems like a good reciever but dont know how it will frive my ADS 1530's
Gene, would LOVE to see how the Denon Pma-1600ne at $1699 compares. Something tells me it would be a much better value. 70 watts into 8ohms 140 ino 4ohms, almost 40lbs....dual transformers....plenty of heatsinks. Made in Japan. Any opinion? And....accessories4less has them at $1200 factory refurbished by Denon with warranty:)
I have a Rega Elex-R also rated conservatively at 72W at 4Ohm and man, it sounds way more powerful.
Is it better to use the DAC in the DCD A110 SACD player when paired with the integrated or the DACs in the integrated; reviewers are divided as to which approach sounded better.
They should sound the same.
Same DACs.
13:50 You mentioned you wished there was as pre-out, I have to say there's no practical reason to buy this strictly for pre-out; you're either going to main-in to use it's power amplification capabilities or use it strait up as an integrated amplifier; it's a complete waste to use this for just it's pre-amp and I think Denon knew this and didn't bother with wasting connections on a pre-out no sane person would use other then "just for fun" for "measurements".
Adding a subwoofer perhaps.
Subwoofer out is a must IMO
@@Audioholics highly agree.
Why is there written "Review of the Marantz PM11s3" on the top of the dokument 6min in the video?
Reused document forgot to update header
Unrelated question: What happened to the "old" measurement "cubes", where you also saw the available current under different loads?
How does this compare to the Marantz Reference series integrated amplifiers?
The Marantz up to the Ruby sounds sad vs the a110
Nice video dude,
Dear i have 12 inch JBL 2 speakers,
Which amplifier i should use for the best sound quality with bluetooth and USB facility.
Love this amp my problem is i acquired a marantz pm ruby before this unit came out. How does the ruby compare to the 110
The ruby, i had it too and sold it, sound clean but dull. The denon a110 sounds much more alive and dynamic with a great sound quality. The bass is in the class D level with the a110 too.
Gene I seem to remember you guys had high opinions of the PMA A100 10 years ago too. Have you compared them?
I never heard that unit. 10 years ago would have been Denon POA 10CH amp, which was a beast.
ruclips.net/video/oI394Ql1id0/видео.html&pp=ygUOZGVub24gcG1hIGExMDA%3D
@@Audioholics
Hey Gene, I share your love for Denon. However, I noticed that the Denon logo plate on one of the transformers was peeling off on one side! What's happening with that? Is that due to the heat?! We're talking about audio jewelry here and it's not good to see that nor gives confidence to Denon"s QC 😔
Hmm I didn't notice that when I had the top off but if you zoom in on the pic it does appear that way. Could be a camera angle illusion as I am not seeing any issue with the transformers. Or, it's possible the glue of the sticker didn't adhere properly to the metal during production.
@@Audioholics in the beginning of your video is wasn't much, but towards the end of your video, the peeling was more obvious.
Anyway, great job with your measurements. All the best 🥂
Very informative review.
Thanks Gene, but more importantly can I use this thing to do curls
If you can get leaveage, sure. 55lbs is a good weight to do dB curls. Lol
How can I connect My speakers and my 2 subs at the same time to this, is it possible? If so I think I'm sold on it.
Je possède le denon pma 2500ne il me satisfait les timbres son somptueux et il a énormément de puissance
Excellent desgin, good workmanship, what's the price where we can get this products?i want to lestien audio sound quality 🌺
Hey gene what do you think of NAD not pretty but does it do the job? I have a krell s550i integrated buy the way.
Nad new integrated with Purifi Class D amp is the bomb!
Excellent review. A question: I am looking at the Focal Sopra 3 as my next loudspeaker. I have heard that this is a difficult lohudspeaker to drive. Will this Denon be sufficient to drive these speakers? I am looking at the Devialet Expert 220 Pro as Amplifier as well. Interested to hear about other opinions
I would think this would drive the Sopra 3 okay, but most people with Sopra 3 use much more powerful and expensive amps with them. Especially if you have a large room and want to play them loud.
Perhaps you have gone over this ground before, but could you explain to the average slob like, me the advantages/disadvantages of E frame transformers vs. Toroidals.
I had always considered toroids to be the superior option as they are usually found in higher end equipment, like my Bryston 3B-ST.
E frame = cheep. do a search PS Audio channel for Toroidal
@@davidkclayton complete nonsense.
Toroidal transformers better contain radiated noise than Ecore until saturation. Both are still viable and depending on physical space, a designer can chose one over the other.
Please review denon 2500 ne vs 110 comparison video
Whe?
Gene - Is your unit black of dark grey? If it is dark grey, did you buy this in US or did Denon ship you one from overseas? The Denon US site only had has a black one since release while in Asia and Europe, they have the dark grey color.
It's gray no black color available just gray.
I got mine in January from upscale audio. I hope that helps.
@@Skyshakerrrr Thank!
I've been wondering if amp/speaker manufacturers have thought about replacing this ancient 2 conductor speaker wire stuff with say fiber or even hdmi. Think of a speaker made with a variety of drivers each receiving their own spec. Freqz.
Tunable at the amp.
Sure seems like time to update this silly ancient inefficient 2 wire transport. Instead of these 250$ a foot silly cables.
I like the integrated amp idea. But, too many of them don't have much power (unless I'm looking at things the wrong way).
So, maybe someday, twenty-five years into the future, I can get one of these Denon amps for the price I paid for the NAD 208 thx-$600.
Love the shirt Gene!
How could they not put subwoofer pre-outs on this thing though? Most people don't have loudspeakers that don't need subs. I've got Cornwall IVs, so I'm good, although some may argue differently even on those, but for me the bass is perfect for music. 90% of my listening is music, but for that other 10%, I need sub pre-outs.
Great amplifier and - as always - a great review by Audioholics.
The one thing he didn't mention is that this amp can deliver much wider sound stage as well as easily output 50W more per channel if you plug it with a $1,000 power cable (be aware, length no more than 1.5ft!!!!) ;)
What's the difference between this and the 8500
This is a 2CH integrated amp. The 8500 is a 13CH Atmos receiver.
@@Audioholics thanks Gene
Looking forward Gene 🧐
Why would you use dBV instead dBrA if you want us to do an 'Apples to Apples' comparison with Amir's measurements?
I don't pre-filter inputs. I measure dBV and then apply a-wt at the output when measuring SNR or Dynamic range. Should be nearly equivalent.