Denon PMA-3000NE

[Deleted member 77012]

Actually I wouldn't expect too much of an audible difference compared to the less expensive models PMA-SX11, PMA-A110 or even PMA-2500NE. The latter is only about half the price but I'm sure the PMA-3000NE won't "sound twice as good" to me.

On the other hand, I would enjoy its massive presence just based on size, weight and shear "looks", and as a whole that would be enough to make me believe it is "placebo better" at least

 

[IanForumUser]

Actually I wouldn't expect too much of an audible difference compared to the less expensive models PMA-SX11, PMA-A110 or even PMA-2500NE. The latter is only about half the price but I'm sure the PMA-3000NE won't "sound twice as good" to me.

On the other hand, I would enjoy its massive presence just based on size, weight and shear "looks", and as a whole that would be enough to make me believe it is "placebo better" at least

Oh for sure. I'd expect the DAC and amp to measure better than the PMA-A110, and quite a bit better than the PMA-2500ne, but I'm sure the differences would not be audible. That said, I suspect the new variable preamp gain structure of the PMA-A110 and PMA-3000ne (and used in the PMA-1700ne too) would be "noticeable" in use. I'm now also contemplating saving some money and picking up a used PMA-2000ae/2010ae/2020ae with a Wiim Ultra direct into the power amp inputs...

 

[Deleted member 77012]

I'd expect the DAC and amp to measure better than the PMA-A110

Concerning the internal DAC, I'd guess that the typical PMA-3000NE owner might rather use an external DAC instead.

 

[jon_s]

Concerning the internal DAC, I'd guess that the typical PMA-3000NE owner might rather use an external DAC instead.

I wouldn't; I'd use the built-in. Based on the DNP-2000ne, it should perform great.

 

[Bleib]

Yes, listening as I type through a perfectly functioning late-90s European market PMA-1500R (as it happens, because my ASR confirmed SOTA Hypex-based power amp failed!). I don't doubt the quality of the workmanship of the folks at the Shirakawa plant, nor the Denon design fundamentals. Maybe I'll just take the plunge and shell out for a full service and top grade recap etc once it's out of warranty.

I used to own the even bigger PMA2000R, which I didn't know before purchasing had a softer Japanese sound. Replaced with a Denon AVR2105 which I found to be much more neutral.
The PMA2000R also got completely smoked by friend's Vincent SV233 which truly gave life to the speakers I owned at that time

 

[IanForumUser]

I wouldn't; I'd use the built-in. Based on the DNP-2000ne, it should perform great.

I would too - especially as it's likely SOTA or close enough not to matter. Just connect a Wiim device or suchlike via optical and off you go! And the beauty of these recent Denon PMAs is that the DAC circuitry can be completely turned off in "analog only" mode, should one have a superior external unit or the internal one is superseded down the road.

 

[oupee]

I like it a lot but the price is a third higher than I would accept.

 

[IanForumUser]

I like it a lot but the price is a third higher than I would accept.

Agreed it is pricey, but Denon products do tend to get discounted (the PMA-1700ne is still a current production model but is available in my location from official dealers for about 30% less than original retail price).

 

[Balle Clorin]

Interesting explanation about the arm, based on the same principles ad the classic Denon arms

Denon DP-3000NE Direct-Drive Turntable with DL-103, DL-103R, and DL-A110 Cartridges

Denon has a strong reputation for its direct-drive designs of the past and the DP-3000NE is their current flagship premium direct-drive turntable. For this review, I will listen to it using the Denon DL-103 and DL-103R MC cartridges.

www.hifi-advice.com

 

[Gremlins]

Personally, I would prefer the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and a Purifi amp for less money, superior energy performance and better measurements. I know there is a nostalgia for these old style boxes but these Denon boxes seem quite a bit alike to me. Churn, churn but not much real innovation.

A Friend of mine owns exactly the two setups you mention, i have to say that Denon integrated do offers more layers of listening, still not night and day, but it sounds like end of notes are prolonged

 

[jon_s]

A Friend of mine owns exactly the two setups you mention, i have to say that Denon integrated do offers more layers of listening, still not night and day, but it sounds like end of notes are prolonged

Denon has been making nice Class AB amps for >40 years. There are some bench tests online that were showing the same kind of textbook performance found in their amps today: https://old-fidelity-forum.de/archive/index.php/thread-37855.html
Later integrated ones mostly vary by the combinations of output devices, with other changes on the preamp that folks have argued about back to the PMA-2000 of the mid-90s.

 

[Snoopy]

Between Yamaha A-S2200 and Denon PMA 3000Ne , what would people pick here ? I kinda really like both and the Denon seems to have a nice enough DAC , better phono stage and is made in Japan. (While some capacitors and chips seem to be made in China).


The Yamaha is Made in Malaysia but in a Yamaha Factory that is not shared with several other brands. Balanced , XLR , phono stage supposedly nice enough for a Ortofon Bronce / Black etc .. VU meters that are not just a gimmick and no digital crap either.

I know asking this in a Denon thread on ASR will probably result in „buy a fosi amp“ or similar.. but who knows

 

[jon_s]

Between Yamaha A-S2200 and Denon PMA 3000Ne , what would people pick here ? I kinda really like both and the Denon seems to have a nice enough DAC , better phono stage and is made in Japan. (While some capacitors and chips seem to be made in China).

I prefer Denon gear historically, but the A-S2200 is fully balanced and that might sway me for a new purchase. The Denons that used a fully balanced circuit (PMA-S1/SA1/SX1) are now discontinued and would've cost more new.

 

[Snoopy]

I prefer Denon gear historically, but the A-S2200 is fully balanced and that might sway me for a new purchase. The Denons that used a fully balanced circuit (PMA-S1/SA1/SX1) are now discontinued and would've cost more new.

The Chinese capacitors really annoy me in a made in Japan amp. Also the ess chips. Oh well, will just get the Yamaha.

The 3000ne turntable looks nice but I came across a couple „the usual sloppy hanpin quality „ comments.

To bad really :-/

 

[IanForumUser]

The Chinese capacitors really annoy me in a made in Japan amp. Also the ess chips. Oh well, will just get the Yamaha.

The 3000ne turntable looks nice but I came across a couple „the usual sloppy hanpin quality „ comments.

To bad really :-/

I concluded the same, and abandoned my serious plans to buy a PMA-3000NE. I recently picked up a second hand PMA-2020AE. It was the last globally available premium Denon integrated before they started including DACs (and took away the pre-outs!). The big block capacitors are Nichicon, and elsewhere - as far as I can see anyway - it's all premium Japanese-made parts. I'm extremely happy with it. Both in terms of noise floor on the tweeters and mechanically, it's actually quieter than the PMA-A110 I borrowed last year - a model which shares the new preamp section of the PMA-3000NE.

 

[Snoopy]

I concluded the same, and abandoned my serious plans to buy a PMA-3000NE. I recently picked up a second hand PMA-2020AE. It was the last globally available premium Denon integrated before they started including DACs (and took away the pre-outs!). The big block capacitors are Nichicon, and elsewhere - as far as I can see anyway - it's all premium Japanese-made parts. I'm extremely happy with it. Both in terms of noise floor on the tweeters and mechanically, it's actually quieter than the PMA-A110 I borrowed last year - a model which shares the new preamp section of the PMA-3000NE.

Yeah I think I will just get a A-S2200.
I’m aware Yamaha has capacitor manufacturers in china as well , but I like that they are still doing their own thing. But for the price of the Denon without XLR inputs , the unit should be made in Japan with Japanese components. I mean why no ROHM or AKM Dac ?

If I only could afford Luxman :-/

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Yeah I think I will just get a A-S2200.
I’m aware Yamaha has capacitor manufacturers in china as well , but I like that they are still doing their own thing. But for the price of the Denon without XLR inputs , the unit should be made in Japan with Japanese components. I mean why no ROHM or AKM Dac ?

If I only could afford Luxman :-/

I believe Yamaha uses filter capacitors from Nippon Chemi-Con, a Japanese manufacturer, in the A-Sxxxx amplifiers. Small caps are Nichicon, also Japanese.

 

[Gremlins]

I doubdt that Denon high end use bad components...

 

[ctrl lbd]

Hem PMA-2500NE hem de PMA-A110'a sahibim (bu arada, oldukça benzer görünüyor). Bunlar mükemmel estetik ve yapı kalitesine sahip çok iyi AB amfilerdir. Güç konusunda son söz değiller, ancak Watt'ı gerçekten 2'ye, sonra 1Ω'a kadar ikiye katlıyorlar.

Öyle. Ağ bağlantısı DNP-3000NE için olacak.

Merhaba VintageFlanker,

Hem PMA-2500NE hem de PMA-A110'a sahibim (bu arada, oldukça benzer görünüyor). Bunlar mükemmel estetik ve yapı kalitesine sahip çok iyi AB amfilerdir. Güç konusunda son söz değiller, ancak Watt'ı gerçekten 2'ye, sonra 1Ω'a kadar ikiye katlıyorlar.

Öyle. Ağ bağlantısı DNP-3000NE için olacak.

Hi VintageFlanker, I’m asking for pma-a110; are you getting 50hz or 60hz hum from the phono (mc) stage starting from the 10 o'clock position of the potentiometer? I bought last week and trying to understand this situation.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Hi VintageFlanker, I’m asking for pma-a110; are you getting 50hz or 60hz hum from the phono (mc) stage starting from the 10 o'clock position of the potentiometer? I bought last week and trying to understand this situation.

I don't do LP, so I never tested the Phono input.

I would contact Denon explaining the issue first.