Description

Amp. The Denon PMA-800NE is an excellent amplifier in its own right, offering a surprisingly musical and engaging sound, a superb built-in phono stage, and solid build quality . For someone building a first "real" hi-fi system or a vinyl lover on a budget, it represents exceptional value.

Excellent MM/MC Phono Stage: A rare feature at this price point, offering exceptional value for vinyl enthusiasts .
· Musical and Engaging Sound: Defies expectations with a rich, "analog" character that is highly listenable .
· Useful Digital Inputs: Four digital inputs (3 optical, 1 coaxial) allow direct connection of TVs, CD players, and game consoles .
· Analog Mode: The ability to completely shut off the digital circuitry for pure analog listening is a thoughtful purist feature .
· Solid Build Quality: Metal front panel, shielded internal sections, and vibration-damping transformer mounting .
· Two Speaker Outputs: Allows connection and switching between two pairs of speakers .

According to lab tests published by Audio, the PMA-800NE performs very well technically :

· Measured Power: 2 x 72W at 8Ω (1kHz, 1% THD) and 2 x 100W at 4Ω . This exceeds the conservative 50W rating and demonstrates good current capability.
· Signal-to-Noise Ratio: A respectable 88 dB (A-weighted) .

The Polish publication Audio awarded the PMA-800NE a very positive review, noting that it exceeded expectations . Key observations include:

· Unexpectedly "Analog" Character: The reviewer expected a balanced, detailed, but perhaps unexciting Denon sound. Instead, they found an "analog," rich, and pleasant timbre that focuses attention on the midrange, offering a sense of cohesion and naturalness .
· Vocal Performance: The amplifier "tempts and convinces with powerful vocals," slightly warming them without becoming melancholic or hyperactive .
· Bass and Treble: Bass is dynamic and punctual, while highs are clear, open, and airy without being metallic or harsh .
· Phono Stage Excellence: The built-in MM/MC phono stage was praised for its accuracy and ability to reveal differences between records, avoiding excessive warmth or saturation .

User Reviews and Impressions

User feedback consistently praises the PMA-800NE's sound quality, with common themes including:

· Neutral and Detailed: Multiple users describe the sound as "neutral," "clean," and "detailed," with good imaging and soundstage .
· Warm and Clean: Another user echoes this, calling the sound "warm and clean" with plenty of power .
· High Satisfaction: One user upgrading from a 42-year-old system noted being "tremendously satisfied," impressed that this is an entry-level model . Another called it "the best product" they had viewed, praising the built-in DAC and clear sound .
· Power Reserve: Several users note that the amplifier has ample power, with one mentioning the volume knob rarely needs to go past 9 o'clock in a medium-sized room