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Denon PMA-600NE Integrated Amplifier Review
- Thread starter amirm
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The Marantz and the Denon are very similar in power output, just based on maximum power into 4 ohms I doubt anyone could tell them apart by listening. They are within 1 dB of each other according to their specs.
What is more important is how they handle various speaker loads - low impedance or high impedance phase angle can demand a lot of current from an amplifier and that is where not all amplifiers are equal in performance. Of course, the mfg's never specify performance as regards to low impedances or difficult loads. Some amps do specify maximum current output which can give some idea of how they handle real world loads. Just based on their market positions, I'm guessing that neither the Denon nor the Marantz could handle a "difficult" speaker very well except at modest output levels.
Some speakers are VERY easy to drive and with such speakers either of these amps would be fine. The Devore Gibbon is one such. Polk speakers are usually quite easy to drive. People say that Klipsch horn speakers and JBLs are easy to drive but I've never liked the way they sounded. And "easy to drive" is NOT the same as high efficiency, though efficiency often does come into the picture.
When manufacturers rate output power of amplifiers they drive a signal into a plain old resistor. All a resistor does is take electrical power from the amplifier and turn it into heat. But we don't use amplifiers driving resistors to heat our rooms - we use amplifiers driving SPEAKERS to reproduce music. And a speaker is **NOT** a resistor. A speaker doesn't just take the power from the amplifier at any frequency and turn it into heat. A speaker reacts differently to power from the amplifier at different audio frequencies, and at some frequencies it will sort of "fight back" against the amplifier, becoming more difficult to drive at certain frequencies and so on. It's quite complex, and there are many very fine speakers that are quite difficult to drive. Read some speaker reviews in Stereophile in terms of impedance analysis and you'll get an idea of the differences in speakers in terms of "driveability."
What is more important is how they handle various speaker loads - low impedance or high impedance phase angle can demand a lot of current from an amplifier and that is where not all amplifiers are equal in performance. Of course, the mfg's never specify performance as regards to low impedances or difficult loads. Some amps do specify maximum current output which can give some idea of how they handle real world loads. Just based on their market positions, I'm guessing that neither the Denon nor the Marantz could handle a "difficult" speaker very well except at modest output levels.
Some speakers are VERY easy to drive and with such speakers either of these amps would be fine. The Devore Gibbon is one such. Polk speakers are usually quite easy to drive. People say that Klipsch horn speakers and JBLs are easy to drive but I've never liked the way they sounded. And "easy to drive" is NOT the same as high efficiency, though efficiency often does come into the picture.
When manufacturers rate output power of amplifiers they drive a signal into a plain old resistor. All a resistor does is take electrical power from the amplifier and turn it into heat. But we don't use amplifiers driving resistors to heat our rooms - we use amplifiers driving SPEAKERS to reproduce music. And a speaker is **NOT** a resistor. A speaker doesn't just take the power from the amplifier at any frequency and turn it into heat. A speaker reacts differently to power from the amplifier at different audio frequencies, and at some frequencies it will sort of "fight back" against the amplifier, becoming more difficult to drive at certain frequencies and so on. It's quite complex, and there are many very fine speakers that are quite difficult to drive. Read some speaker reviews in Stereophile in terms of impedance analysis and you'll get an idea of the differences in speakers in terms of "driveability."
pogo
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hi
for example PM7000N with 60 Watts Per Channel or denon PMA-1700NE (2.000€ ) could be ok?
they should be enough powerfull , even the Rotel A11 MKII own the almost power 50
by the way powerfull amp are really more expansive
thanks and I liked a lot you answer
GEORGIADISE
New Member
Honestly, I can’t say it sounds bad, but when I first got it, I was constantly cranking the treble way up to get it to sound right for me. It took a while, but I started to vibe with its unique style, you know? It’s got its own personality.
Then I switched back to my old TEAC AR600, and whoa, what a difference. Just for kicks, I dug out an ancient PROTON AM-20, thinking it’d be a total letdown compared to the others.
But, man, that little guy surprised me—it actually sounded pretty awesome! I mean, this thing still holds its own, but now I’m wondering if my ears are just playing favorites.
Then I switched back to my old TEAC AR600, and whoa, what a difference. Just for kicks, I dug out an ancient PROTON AM-20, thinking it’d be a total letdown compared to the others.
But, man, that little guy surprised me—it actually sounded pretty awesome! I mean, this thing still holds its own, but now I’m wondering if my ears are just playing favorites.
hi
in my option it doesn't sound bad at all , i guess better than marantz
does TEAC AR600 sound more flat /analog like marantz or a british amp Cambridge or audiolab ?
GEORGIADISE
New Member
The TEAC AR-600 is an amplifier that pumps out serious power, giving you deep, punchy bass that’s always on point and mids that sound clear and smooth without wearing you out. The highs can get a bit bright at louder volumes, but overall, it creates a huge, lively soundstage. For the Marantz and Cambridge I have not idea how they sound.
Fun fact: ALL solid state amps if not overloaded sound the same. Speakers can sound different
thats a fun fact I can agree with
........................................ ^dis
I can assure you, even my untrained ears from 1975 to today can hear the difference between the cheapest radio shack amp, a JVC amp, a pioneer amp, cambridge audio amp, and fosi amps at different price points. Watts, tone and signal paths all vary.
Show us the double blind repeatable listening test. I'll wait. And I did say "if not overloaded" so that takes care of your "watts" example
You are peeing against the wind here when you say things like that in this forum
(I agree with you if it helps.)
I’d say that they can sound the same, but that is not guaranteed. Differences in noise levels and output impedance can have an audible impact on how the speakers and amplifiers interact. “If not overloaded” encompasses a range of specific variables in power delivery, some of which can be meaningful.
With that said, solid state amps do tend to “sound” more alike on a given set of speakers when compared to tube amps - the measurements will clearly show why.
Any sound difference we hear on speakers between amps will be due to some nonlinearity, but not all nonlinearities are audible.
Agree - Room EQ makes a far bigger difference than the minor electrical differences between solid state amplifiers.
hi
do you use only Room EQ / Rew EQ and apo ?
don't use the software eq with exlusive or asio?
thanks
By overloaded I mean the amp has enough power to drive the speakers at the volume desired
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