My new Denon PMA-2500NE

[mattd2308]

Well, finally can disclose this is, what everyone says. "end game" purchase.

Have had for several days and can bluntly say, it craps all over my previous gear, mainly Parasound P3/A23 combo.

Huge presence, can give you all the clichés you like, but this is on a different level.

Its no Luxman, Mcintosh, Accuphase, Esoteric, etc etc however its a fantastic piece of equipment.  I think Denon might know how to engineer stuff.

Go onto their Japanese website, even have more premium gear exclusive only to that market.

Partnered with my Marantz SA8005, Rega RP3 with numerous modifications, and completing the signal coming from Legend Kantu 9's.

Spoke to Rab Turner and the SN hifi show who convinced me this would be a perfect fit for the Legends.

No more external phono stages, just direct into the amp, and yes, I'm no phono stage expert, its sound very good. Been playing everything from Dead Can Dance, Roxy Music (Avalon SHM SACD), Peter Gabriel (US 45rpm vinyl, last track "Secret World") Agnes Obel, Patrick O'Hearn, Tears For Fears , particularly "Badmans Song". 

Purchased from folk at Carlton Audio Visual, who have been tremendous to deal with.

Thanks for reading, Matt

[betty boop]

awesome... something about those big denons..... love it !  I'm surprised you weren't tempted in the matching disc player though looks like you got one that matches up pretty well in any case  

[anandpkumar]

Wow! that's one beast of an amp there.....must weigh a ton!

 

Congrats on the purchase

[cafe67]

Nice i had a denon pma2000ae a few years okay  that was very nice. Enjoy, looks like a nice setup 

[vinilink]

1 hour ago, betty boop said:

awesome... something about those big denons..... love it !  I'm surprised you weren't tempted in the matching disc player though looks like you got one that matches up pretty well in any case  

After all, they are sisters  

[betty boop]

1 hour ago, vinilink said:

After all, they are sisters  

id love to check out the sisters driving my stand mount focal one day... but i won't unless have the spare cash to buy  

[The Fez]

Beautiful amplifier -- Denon been making serious quality amplification for many, many years.... Sadly many punters "don't rate'em" -- but those that take the time to actually listen.......well we know better..

 

 

Edited March 22, 2019 by The Fez

[Classic]

On 22/03/2019 at 6:32 PM, The Fez said:

Beautiful amplifier -- Denon been making serious quality amplification for many, many years.... Sadly many punters "don't rate'em" -- but those that take the time to actually listen.......well we know better..

 

 

What model Denon is this in the picture? Thanks

[The Fez]

35 minutes ago, SBM said:

What model Denon is this in the picture? Thanks

POA-3000ZR ...

[josh0571]

Lovely amp Matt. Looks big and very heavy! The higher end Denon amps seem a bit underrated here.

[Art Vandelay]

There's a guy not far from me with a pair of Denon POA S1's  driving VAF I93's and it sounds incredible. I'll take some pics next time I visit. 

 

I know that Denon merged with Marantz nearly 20 years ago but I'm not sure if / or to what extent they retained their own R&D / engineering division, but it would be interesting to see a schematic.     

[Classic]

1 hour ago, The Fez said:

POA-3000ZR ...

Thank you

[Antipodean Brad]

That looks great.  I hope that your joy and enjoyment continue to grow for many years.

 

Congratulations on getting it connected and into your rack - which also looks good.  Ah hang it, it all looks good.

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by Antipodean Brad

[mattd2308]

3 minutes ago, Antipodean Brad said:

That looks great.  I hope that your joy and enjoyment continue to grow for many years.

 

Congratulations on getting connected and into your rack - which also looks good.  Ah hang it, it all looks good.

 

 

Cheers, and thank you. Positions have swapped around now, got sick of bending down to adjust volume etc.  Yes, good for the abs getting into the rack.......again....25kg!!

While i write this, enjoying a Glenlivet and listening to some vinyl (Pink Floyd- The Division Bell) ......just finished work and have a few days off.

 

[mattd2308]

2 hours ago, josh0571 said:

Lovely amp Matt. Looks big and very heavy! The higher end Denon amps seem a bit underrated here.

Thanks Josh, have always aspired to own one of their premium amps. Check out their Japanese site, have a few more lustworthy amps, that are unfortunately only  for their domestic market.

 Seem to have reasonable credibility in Europe and Asia. Russians seems to like them, going by You Tube, pity I'm not that fluent in deciphering Russian dialect!  

 

[maximus]

I just acquired a Denon PMA 2500NE from a fellow SNA member for an "incredible" price.

Prior to this I had it in a side by side comparison against the new Rega Aethos via a pair of PMC DB1 Anniversary Golds. The Denon, a bigger sound stage, better bass definition, Rega , PRAT strong suit, but softish, maybe slightly loose in the bass region. More importantly, both amps presented music  with sheer enjoyment, unlike Denon's

of old that were too polite even boring, I find it neutral with a peppy presentation, It truly is so enjoyable.

I'm also using its on board DAC, an Arcam CD 36 is doing the transport duties, my new DAC purchase is now on hold as the Denon is shockingly good.

 

BTW ...I was told from a reliable source that an Auralic  G1 Streamer Transport into the Denon's DAC, rivals NAIMS 9-10k streamer, not sure of model.

 

@mattd2308 Accuphase and Esoteric aside, I would be confident the Denon's ability would be at or even meeting lower end Mac's or  Luxmans.

Haven't heard the USB, but rumour has it the Phono is very good, not just an after thought.