Denon PMA-400 Amp (information required)

pauluk30

New Member
Hi,

I wonder if anyone knows where I can get information or old reviews on a Denon PMA-400 amp. I know its approx 25years old but just wanted to see if I could find any more info about it.


Any help would be grateful Paul
 
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No listing for that model in my 1997 Orion. Probably, guessing from other models, about 60 wpc.
 
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Hi bully,


Thanks for that, I have just managed to find the original denon handbook for it. It says in the manual its 125watt per channel at 4ohm.

I was having a clear out and was thinking of selling the seperates I have left but not really sure of the value.

Thanks Paul
 
There's no PMA-400 on the Denon Museum website's list but there's a PMA-500 released in 1972 at 40wpc RMS.
 
Hi Sandawa,

Thanks for the info. I am really confused about this amp now. I have searched everywhere on the net for info about it but I cannot find one article about it.

I have found the original handbook for the amp and it defiently states it is a pma-400 at 125wpc.

oh well thanks for having a look.

Paul
 
but thats at 4 ohms... will be lower for nominal 8 ohm impedance.

watts = volts x amps (energy per unit time)

volt = ML/T^2 (volt is a unit of force)

amps = L/T (correct?)

if you know these values you should be able to walk back and figure watts at 8 ohms.

Ohm's Law: http://www.aikenamps.com/OhmsLaw.htm
 
Hi styler,

I have had another look at the manual and it says that at 8ohm its 80wpc. Thanks for the info though.

Has anyone any idea on value of old denon amps ?

Thanks Paul
 
pauluk30 said:
Hi,

I wonder if anyone knows where I can get information or old reviews on a Denon PMA-400 amp. I know its approx 25years old but just wanted to see if I could find any more info about it.


Any help would be grateful Paul


Hi!

I own a denon pma-400 (with little moditfication). I have the original manual instruction, but it's in german. I can send you some photos of it if you wish.
My email: analog@o2.pl

Greetings
Michael
 
I've got the Denon PMA-900V. It IS rated for 125 wpc into 8 ohms. I got it on E-Bay for $27.00 in excellent cosmetic and operating condition. To my ears, it sounds just fine, although I usually listen to my receivers instead.

Denon's Intergrated Amps. are very underpriced in the market from what I can tell.

I recently got a Pioneer A-80 and I prefer the sound of that to the Denon, however, I don't have any complaints with the Denon.
 
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vintagestereo - try some amplifiers from late 70's! In my opinion, they are much better then nowadays amplifiers, much better built, and rather cheap.
For instance denon pma-400, denon pma-850 (100Watts per channel in class A!), onkyo a-7090 or hitachi ha5300. They may need some old capacitors to be replaced with new polyprophylene ones. Than, they play just brilliant!
My modified pma-400 give a better sound than my 7-channel denon avr-3802, which is a very good unit!

Thanks
Michael,
 
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Denon PMA 400 Specifications

I have hunted one of those recently and awaiting for arrival. I haven't heard it yet, but decided to go for it basing on high specifications. First of all this is 70's era amplifier what may suggest build quality on high level. Dual mono amp construction with separated transformer for each channel rather suggest well performance especially if device is from 70's.

Specifications:

2 x 50 watts RMS into 8 Ohm (80 watts dynamic)
2 x 65 watts RMS into 4 Ohm (125 watts dynamic)
dumping factor: 50 (4 Ohm) 100? (8 Ohm):scratch2:
Frequency response: 5-100,000 Hz
THD: less than 0,05%
Signal to Noise ratio: more than 100 dB (wow):banana:
Phono to RIAA standards with extended crosstalk control.

Generally amplifier appears to be high class, it features options, solutions and properties reserved for High End devices back in 70's. Will update more info after critical listening.
 
vintagestereo - try some amplifiers from late 70's! In my opinion, they are much better then nowadays amplifiers, much better built, and rather cheap.
For instance denon pma-400, denon pma-850 (100Watts per channel in class A!), onkyo a-7090 or hitachi ha5300. They may need some old capacitors to be replaced with new polyprophylene ones. Than, they play just brilliant!
My modified pma-400 give a better sound than my 7-channel denon avr-3802, which is a very good unit!

Thanks
Michael,

All true, according to the class A it will be about Denon PMA 850 MkII. Unfortunately it is lottery to find it, super rare device, but sometimes it may be found at thrift store or charity shop. Grab even not working!
 
After critical listening, I am a 100% sure that this is the best amplifier I have ever heard. Until it arrived I used to use Marantz PM 84, the very great machine, but surprisingly Denon PMA 400 outclassed this amplifier with limitless headroom, dynamics, stereo and bass response. If you have chance to go for one, do not waste your chance.
 
Denon vintage amplifiers

Hi,

The Denon PMA 400 is nearly identical to the Denon PMA 501. These vintage Denon amplifiers are great! Very well build, very good sound quality and good looking. Together with the matching tuner TU 501 a true vintage audio set.
 
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