Which Denon to keep? PMA-500v or DRA-75VR

[TheMarco]

I have moved up the food chain to separates so at the moment I have a choice to make.
In my main listening space I have replaced the PMA-500v with separates. In my office I have a DRA-75VR receiver. Both are in near-mint condition and the DRA-75VR even has the original remote.
The PMA-500v has nice solid walnut side panels which make it look extra cool. Could be a factor when both are considered equally good I guess.

I'm trying to decide which one of these two I should keep in my office and which one I should sell.

The receiver has a cool non-switching Class A amplification stage.

Thoughts?

https://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/amp/pma-500v-e.html
https://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/amp/dra-75vr-e.html

 

[bigaltx24]

I'd keep the 500V. I've owned both, I preferred the 500V. It was faster (more dynamic) and quieter. Sell both and use the proceeds to buy a 900V.

 

[TheMarco]

I'd keep the 500V. I've owned both, I preferred the 500V. It was faster (more dynamic) and quieter. Sell both and use the proceeds to buy a 900V.

Does the 900v sound better or does it just have more power? I don't need that much power in my office

 

[LWB]

I have the PMA-700V which is 100 Watts RMS. Its slew rate is considerably faster than the PMA-500V, but slew rate same as PMA-900V. The 700V and 900V both have higher specs in their phono sections than the 500V. But really, I'd have to say that the PMA-500V is an awfully good amp, and I'd be very careful about the compromise you might be giving up in the receiver. When a PMA-700V popped up on ebay, I grabbed it because I had been so impressed with the 500V and my listening room is large. I strongly think that with the 700V or 900V you are getting more power but not significantly better sound. If you need 100 or 120 Watts RMS to drive demanding speakers and room, that's one thing. But if you have normal room size and efficient speakers, I should think the 500V would be tough to better in real usage.

Perhaps you want better phono specs if you have the table and cartridge to use it? If that is important, I'd suggest comparing the phono sections between the 500V and the receiver.

Have you tried comparing the two? Can you distinguish them? If you walked into a dark room could you tell which one could be playing? Your ears should tell you. If not, then having the convenience of the remote might be the clincher!

 

[northpaw]

I strongly think that with the 700V or 900V you are getting more power but not significantly better sound.

I have a 500V and a 900V, both relatively recent acquisitions and made for the same reasons as LWB gives, and I would agree with this statement. Despite the faster slew rate specs for the 700/900V mentioned above, I, like LWB, find both to be "fast" amps, but it should be noted that that quality tends to be revealed only with the right source material (highly dynamic and fast paced, like some passages in classical music), where the generous headroom these amps have also comes into play.