• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, a non-professional review

I’ve been intrigued by these Denton 80s and its well built, throwback looks. I did get to demo a used pair the local hifi shop took in the other day. (They are an authorized Wharfedale dealer.)

Hooked up to a Marantz PM6006, the bass is plenty full and tight and imaged well but I found the treble too laid back. Earlier in this thread it was mentioned pairing with the Marantz isn’t ideal because of that amp’s laid back sound. But what I wanted to know is how the Dentons will fair if paired with the old school NAD 3020 and its 20 wpc?
 
The Dentons like to have some power behind them. I would think that the 3020 would not make for an ideal pairing.
 
Sounder206 said:
I’ve been intrigued by these Denton 80s and its well built, throwback looks. I did get to demo a used pair the local hifi shop took in the other day. (They are an authorized Wharfedale dealer.)

Hooked up to a Marantz PM6006, the bass is plenty full and tight and imaged well but I found the treble too laid back. Earlier in this thread it was mentioned pairing with the Marantz isn’t ideal because of that amp’s laid back sound. But what I wanted to know is how the Dentons will fair if paired with the old school NAD 3020 and its 20 wpc?
Click to expand...
I had them paired to a Sony STR7055 which isn't too far off your spec and it sounded excellent.
I think you would be surprised how little watts can sound good. (Don't want to open that can of worms.)
 
I know this is kind of an old thread, but I have mine installed in a way that "should not" work, but they sound great to me. I have them turned sideways in a pair of bookcases, with their rear ports firing into the open bookshelves. Driving them with a Dynaco ST70 with an upgraded VTA driver board. I do have a Dayton 8" sub crossed at 80hz. They sound luscious in my living room with Dire Straits. Great speakers.

Wharfdale.jpg
 
I'm glad you're liking them, and what a great setup with with that Dynaco!

I couldn't get used to them. I like my speakers to be fairly transparent and dynamic, and I just felt that the mid-bass hump and high-frequency roll-off colored the Denton 80's too much for my liking. I powered them with solid state mostly when I had them in my rig, and I think the issue I have with them likely would have been exaggerated when powered by my EL34 amp.

It's sad, because I really love the look of the walnut veneer on my pair, but now I have them boxed up for sale.
 
Last edited:
Tbone289 said:
I'm glad you're liking them, and what a great setup with with that Dynaco!

I couldn't get used to them. I like my speakers to be fairly transparent and dynamic, and I just felt that the mid-bass hump and high-frequency roll-off colored the Denton 80's too much for my liking. I powered them with solid state mostly when I had them in my rig, and I think the issue I have with them likely would have been exaggerated when powered by my EL34 amp.

It's sad, because I really love the look of the walnut veneer on my pair, but now I have them boxed up for sale.
Click to expand...

I hear you on the roll off. I still prefer my Cewin Vega's, but those are stashed away until the basement is remodeled. So the casual listening space (i.e. the living room) will get the Denton's.

And they are really gorgeous speakers - very well made. I'm sure someone will buy yours.
 
Beobloke said:
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but the Denton is now a permanant model in the Wharfedale range. http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/denton-85/

They will also be introducing the 3 way Linton. http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/linton/
Click to expand...
Just wish they were available locally in New Zealand. Still have the Denton's 80th anniversary but the bass available reverberates a bit too much in my small office. I suppose it is due to being rear ported bass reflex and sitting on my desk rather close to the wall. Some AVI Neutron III replaced them for the time being until I find something better - I gave those AVI's to my daughter long time ago and and she returned those a year ago. Unfortunately they are showing their age - the rubber surrounds are stiffer than I remember (after all they're just 20 years old) and are also bass reflex rear ported but don't go as low as the Denton's and do not seem to trigger the office as much into some reverberation.
 
Last edited:
Hi all, would you guys pair the Lintons with a Class A/AB like the Vidar or a powerful Class D like one of the Crown Audio racks (1502/2502)? Also, given the high sensitivity (90dB), wide power rating (25-200W) and low min impedance (~3ohm) of the Linton, is it preferrable to use a gentler but more dyanmic amp like Schiit Aegir.
Any input on power amp recommendation for the Lintons would be much appreciated.
Nick
 
Beobloke said:
According to the international distributors' section of the Wharfedale website, they are -

Online Hi-Fi
95 Tuam St, Christchurch Central
Christchurch, 8011
Phone: 0800 255 800
Click to expand...


They don't bring these in, they got hurt with the Dentons that they could not move and they've got only the Diamond Active, 11 and 200 series.
 
nickaudio123 said:
Hi all, would you guys pair the Lintons with a Class A/AB like the Vidar or a powerful Class D like one of the Crown Audio racks (1502/2502)? Also, given the high sensitivity (90dB), wide power rating (25-200W) and low min impedance (~3ohm) of the Linton, is it preferrable to use a gentler but more dyanmic amp like Schiit Aegir.
Any input on power amp recommendation for the Lintons would be much appreciated.
Nick
Click to expand...
I would get vidar or aegir depending on the room size and how loud you want it to be. THese two will sound more refined than the crown, unless you need to power a night club.
The Lintons are quite dynamic and sensitive, I have only 70wpc and it does not feel under powered at 70-85db 12 feet away with music or action movies.
At one time, I had a QSC 1450 (in the nighborhood of 300wpc) powering some magnepan MMGs, and this amp was overkill for house use - I could play those MMGs really loud cleanly and the amp was probably at 50-60% of its capacity, if that.
 
a
After pursuing this old thread I saw a few mentions of both bi-wiring and jumper plates. I have a pair of Dentons coming in and was curious in the three years since this the OP, whether anyone had any opinions or experiences in trying out bi wring or swapping out the supplied jumper plate for some OFC wire...or "audiophile" jumpers..thanks
 
Last edited:
Such the small distance involved between posts where the jumper plate goes means you won't be able to hear the difference but just using your speaker wiring is no harm at no cost.

I can't even remember if I left the jumper plates in my Denton 80s or not as I used some kind of silver spiral speaker cable which did make a difference to the sound when I first installed them over some other decent OFC cabling I had.

I never bothered with bi-wiring but still loving the Denton 80s as they have been kinder to my deafness and permanent tinitis.

Partnered with an Arcam A18 amplifier, Arcam CDS27 CD SACD Streamer and a REGA DAC that I use for TV/Bluray and a change for music as opposed to the DAC in the CDS27 unit.

Outputting through the REGA DAC does make a difference, less expansive soundstage than the CDS27 but tighter timing, more rhythmic especially in the bass end which is tighter. The REGA is also more revealing, it's a great DAC but so is the one in the CDS27. Some music is suited better to the other and it can be a matter of taste depending on your mood too.

Post binding jumpers or wires will not make the kind of differences as changing DACs will have.

Oh and they sound amazing with my almost now never used customised Thorens TD160, Rega RB300 with Goldring 1022GX.

Hope you enjoy your Dentons and let us know ;)
 
Well I checked when I got back to the house last night, I haven't looked behind the speakers in a long time and I need to get the duster out.

As you can see I have just bridged them with a bit of budget OFC cable I had, maybe because the QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution speaker cables I have are quite bulky. These cables are a good match I think for the Dentons being reviewed as on the brighter side of neutral. My Arcam A18 amplifier is a neutral sounding amplifier having that Arcam sound, it is excellent though delivering plenty of power. I wouldn't use less than 50W for the Dentons even though it says 20W - 100W on the rear of the speaker. I also wouldn't use less than the level of quality of the likes of the Arcam A18, was around £600 when released. The Dentons being now available cheaper punch well above their weight and current price point so a £200ish budget amplifier will simply not do them justice.

As I said I don't think there will be any discernable difference given the short bridge, I ended up doing an extensive listening test between the Arcam CDS27 vs Rega DAC and here there are discernible differences. Both are great but I may do a separate review thread on this for your interest and delectation. :music:

You'll notice the Dentons are only a few inches from the wall, I have never found any problem with bass 'boominess' maybe because they are rated at 44 Hz and above so they don't go low but the bass is very beautiful to make up for this. I suppose one could add a subwoofer but I was never a fan of these and I can't be bothered with another box in the lounge which is only 4.4m x 3.1m in size.
 

Attachments

  • _K702955.jpg
    _K702955.jpg
    100.7 KB · Views: 79
Have been following this thread for quite some time and finally decided to order a pair for some near to mid field listening. Had my Dentons now for about 2 months. They've been primarily powered by an APPJ 2013 (3.5 watt) ChiFi tube amp. Also, paired them with a Marantz 2230 receiver & Rega Brio (60 watt) integrated. Mostly BT through an IFI Zen Blue & AudioEngine B1. They are (at least to my ears) very clear, airy, non fatiguing with solid, strong, tight bass. They just don't sound bad regardless of power source as long as that source isn't over driven. First experience with British Speaks but will certainly be looking for others. The 1st class matched walnut finish on them certainly isn't hard on the eyes either.
 
Staying with the Brit theme I have ordered the Arcam SA10 amplifier to replace my Arcam A18.

I'm not expecting a sonic improvement amplification wise but I want the onboard Sabre DAC and extra digital inputs...

So now I have 3 DACs to choose from... the Arcam CDS17 SACD streamer, the SA10's internal Sabre DAC and the Rega DAC which will still hold the pole position in the sound stakes being a dedicated unit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom