Pre Review Denon AVP-A1HDCI & POA-A1HDCI Separates Thread

AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Since there is now an official Denon separates thread going, here's my review of the AVP-A1HDCI....In conclusion, the Denon AVP-A1HDCI has to be the most fully featured preamp/processor on the planet right now. And while it's learning curve is quite long, and many (myself included) will no doubt get a bit frustrated with setting up this beast of a pre/pro and figuring out all it's many functions, features and settings. Once it's finally setup,calibrated, and adjusted, the sonic attributes of this gem will ultimately win you over. I have to say that Denon has raised the bar very high with it's new preamp. From lossless high def movie soundtracks to 2 channel music to multichannel SACD, the Denon AVP-A1HDCI does all of them effortlessly and gracefully. The Denon is expensive, but well worth the price of admission.:)
Nice review!

So when are you buying the matching POA-A1HDCI amplifier?:D

The AVP doesn't scare me, but the POA scares the heck out of me with that weight!!!
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
The newer version added a remote and boosted the power output. :)

But when you take a look at Denon pages in other countries, there is already a newer version of this integrated amp out (the color is silver, and the remote looks different). But I don't know if that newer version will ever make it to our shores (giving how the U.S. dollar has plummetted so much).

The ultimate Denon integrated amp is only sold in Japan. It is a 60lb monster. 100 watts x 2 channels. That beast sure looks sweet.:D
Cool.

I just got an email from Denon.

I asked about the actual power output since the rated power is under spec'ed.

Denon says that the PMA2000IVR can produce 125 watts @ 8 ohms and 250 watts @ 4 ohms, which is close to The Audio Critic's numbers.
 
furrycute

furrycute

Banned
Nice review on the Denon pre Seth V!

Man, that AVP sure looks VERY NICE!


Thanks AcuDefTechGuy for posting Denon's response. Since the actual power output is higher than the stated power output, I am wondering why Denon chose to underspec this integrated amp. Some kind of reverse psychology at work here?:D

The R version integrated amp probably had a smaller power supply and smaller heat sinks, hence the lighter weight.


I just remember there is an audioholics' review of a Marantz Reference stereo integrated amp. I think Denon and Marantz are both owned by the same holding company. In the U.S., the Marantz brand might be taking over Denon's traditional high end 2 channel audio business in the form of the Marantz Reference series.

I bet that Marantz Reference series integrated amp shares many similarities with that top of the line Denon integrated amp that is only sold in Japan.
 
GlocksRock

GlocksRock

Audioholic Spartan
So how much better does your system sound with the Denon vs. the Acurus?
 
furrycute

furrycute

Banned
That's the regular Marantz integrated amp. I was referring to the Marantz Reference Series integrated amp.

It's this one here,
http://us.marantz.com/Products/630.asp


And this is the Denon flagship integrated amp that is only available in Japan,
http://www.denon.jp/products2/pmasa11.html


Oh wait, there is this PMA-SA1 here,
http://www.denon.jp/products2/pmasa1.html
The rated poweroutput is less than the PMA-SA11, but the SA1 weighs more and costs more. Strange.



http://usa.denon.com/PMA-2000IVRLit.pdf

http://us.marantz.com/PM15S1specsheet0506.pdf

Looking at these 2 IAs, I think the Denon has the edge.

Power: 80w/160w (8/4 ohms) vs 80w/120w (8/4 ohms): Denon Advantage

SNR: 108dB vs 90 dB: Denon Advantage

THD: 0.07% vs 0.05%: Marantz Advantage

Weight: 53 lbs vs 39 lbs: Denon Advantage

???
 
Seth V

Seth V

Audioholic
Nice review!

So when are you buying the matching POA-A1HDCI amplifier?:D

The AVP doesn't scare me, but the POA scares the heck out of me with that weight!!!
Thanks.:)

Yeah, I seriously considered getting the matching amp. And if I didn't already have 10 channels of amplification I would have jumped on it. But my current amps are serving me very well, so at least for the time being I have no need to upgrade.

Yes that amp is a beast! Whoever buys one definitely need to get help moving that thing around.:eek:

Nice review on the Denon pre Seth V!

Man, that AVP sure looks VERY NICE!
Thanks.;)
 
gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
Yes that amp is a beast! Whoever buys one definitely need to get help moving that thing around.
Good luck with that. Everytime I move this sucker nobody is around to help me and I had to carry it up a flight of steps :eek:
 
furrycute

furrycute

Banned
Definitely wear something to protect your back. 150 lbs, it's no joke.


Good luck with that. Everytime I move this sucker nobody is around to help me and I had to carry it up a flight of steps :eek:
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
So how much better does your system sound with the Denon vs. the Acurus?
I sold the MPS-2 and the 3 RL-11s.

There is Not ONE BIT of Difference between the Acurus + Emotiva vs. the Denon in terms of sound quality.:D

Now I have 3 PMA-2000IVRs, the DVD-3800BDCI, the DVD-5910CI, and the Toshiba HD-XA1.

I just wanted to match the Denon brands.:D

I mean if Denon had come out with a HD DVD player, I would have bought one too just to match.:D

And if Denon were to make a HD projector or TV, I would buy one just to match.:D

I almost bought the AVR-5308, but something inside of me just could not go straight from the pure analog separates to a receiver. So I went in-between.:D
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
I'd like to know as well. I searched and did not see a thread about your changes. And what happend to the MPS-2?
**hee***hee.

Yeah, I did a rather QUICK change.:D

I also ordered a new Audio Rack -- bigger than my current one to hold the Denons.

I wanted to set everything up on the new rack first, take some pictures, then post the new pics and my personal short review of the PMA-2000IVR + DVD-5910CI + DVD-3800BDCI. It will probably be next week.

At first I was concerned that the PMA-2000IVR could not handle a 2 ohms load because the minimum impedance of the CLR3000 is 2.1 ohms, BP7000SC is 2.9, & BP7001SC is 3.3 ohms.

But according to The Audio Critic, the PMA2000 can produce about 400 watts into 1 ohm. So I guess it's okay?

I wonder if Gene can measure the Power Output of the POA-A1HDCI into 1 ohm?
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
That's the regular Marantz integrated amp. I was referring to the Marantz Reference Series integrated amp.

It's this one here,
http://us.marantz.com/Products/630.asp


And this is the Denon flagship integrated amp that is only available in Japan,
http://www.denon.jp/products2/pmasa11.html


Oh wait, there is this PMA-SA1 here,
http://www.denon.jp/products2/pmasa1.html
The rated poweroutput is less than the PMA-SA11, but the SA1 weighs more and costs more. Strange.
Well, I didn't think it was fair to compare a $1,200 Denon PMA2000 to a $4,000 Marantz or $10,000 Denon PMA-SA1.:D

The PMS-SA11 looks nice. It is 11 lbs heavier than the PMA2000IVR, has 120w/240w into 8/4 ohms (which probably means TWICE that output:D), but all the other specs look the same (THD 0.01% @ -3dB, SNR 108dB). And if it costs anything like the PMA-SA1, it will cost about $10,000 or more!:eek:

http://www.avland.co.uk/denon/pmasa11/pmasa11.htm
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Question about Current

The PMA2000 is capable of delivering a current of 120A to
the output stage, as much as 3~10 times greater than that of conventional MOS-FET devices.

What does that mean in plain English? I mean how does that apply to everyday audio/speaker situation?

What's the NORMAL Current in most receivers?
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
The PMA2000 is capable of delivering a current of 120A.
I know Harman Kardon pride themselves on having receivers with high current capability. The AVR247 is capable of 35A, their flagship AVR745 is 60A.

And the Denon PMA2000 is capable of 120 Amperes?
 
tn001d

tn001d

Senior Audioholic
I dont know about you guys, but i think the new marantz pre-pro is just as good as the Denon, and its only $5000, compared to the ridiculous cost of the Denon. With the money left over you can get a Sony SXRD 1080p projector, screen, and blu-ray player. Just a thought though.




 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
I dont know about you guys, but i think the new marantz pre-pro is just as good as the Denon, and its only $5000, compared to the ridiculous cost of the Denon.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2290.asp
I was thinking the same thing.

My guess is that the Denon AVP will have more of everything - more features and better specs.

For example, the Denon has 6 HDMI vs 4 HDMI (Marantz).

The Denon has the Burr-Brown PCM-1796 and the Marantz may have the PCM-1791.

The AVP has the Silicon Optix Realta, and the Marantz may have the Reon.

The AVP may have a 0.005% THD vs 0.05% THD (Marantz).

The Denon POA has 150 watts x 10 Ch vs 140 watts x 8 (Marantz). The POA is 300 watts into 4 ohms, and the Marantz may be 240 watts into 4 ohms (less current capability).

But the end question is, does any of these really matter? Probably not. The Marantz would be the better deal.

But if I had the budget, there is no question I would buy the AVP-A1 + POA-A1 instead of the Marantz separates.
 

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