i’m sorry i ever doubted

i was traveling late one night, tired and ready to go home and i did not have my laptop with me when i received a message from a fellow enthusiast. “are you interested in a Denon integrated PMA 850, 85wpc, mint condition?”.. i was not particularly looking for a Denon, had no experience with the brand yet, so i made up some lame excuse that my place is already full and no more space for another amp, etc, etc.. a 85wpc Denon? went home and sleep. early next morning.. music, coffee, computer, AK, goggle.. just out of curiosity, typed the brand and model and.. what the ..

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/denonpma850.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/DENON/PMA850/PMA850.html
http://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/amp/pma-850-e.html

i called my friend (hahaha, now he is a friend) immediately (a little embarrassed) and inquired if the Denon is still available. I had a feeling he was already waiting for my call. is it the mark 1 or 2? whichever, please reserve unit for inspection and audition.. and rest is history..
the review above says it all. robust construction, BIG DEEP BASS, very clear mids, silent preamp section, fantastic loudness output, etc..and the BIGGEST toroidal tranny i’ve seen in an amp i’ve owned. i never imagined a Denon would sound like this.
i’m embarrassed and offer my humble apologies for doubting the brand. my bad..
now i think my other gears are jealous as i’m using it more and more often.

Pictures:

I have a pair (once had a trio) of the POA 1500 metered amps. Fantastic and muscular beyond their ratings.

Looks like it cranks out more than 85wpc! Very nice...congrats.

Denon was trying hard to make a name for themselves, as they were damn near unknown outside Japan. They put a lot of effort into their gear back then (as most of the Japanese manufacturers did).

Satisfied Denon owner here since 1988; bought a whole stack new in the shop around 1991, and I've since picked up a few even earlier vintage pieces, as well as a few later ones in recent years. I've found their good gear, at least, to be very competitive with most of the labels out there; generally well-built and well-voiced.

There are better 'audiophile' products out there, at hefty price points, but for the money, Denon usually stands out above the crowd for just plain good ol' musical sound quality!

Among their best are some of the really vintage stuff like your amp, the monobloc amps, the big TOTL AV receivers, and the "special limited edition" CD players. Any of those shouldn't disappoint.