Denon PMA-A110 Anniversary Amplifier

[RDSChicago]

I recently purchased a Denon PMA-A110 and am loving it. At first I thought it sounded a bit harsh and sterile compared to other amps I have but now I’m really seeing the positives including enormous power and the bass control that comes along with a high current amp. Yet this amp also has a smooth midrange and treble. Great decay on the notes. Color me impressed and I have some fairly high end amps to compare it to, including Pass and Naim.

 

The Internal DAC is also terrific streaming Qobuz right from my laptop. When comparing the internal DAC with my Lumin or Lampizator DACs, it’s a fairly close contest and that’s a huge compliment to the Denon. It also has a built-in MM and MC phono stage which I haven’t tried. Some tend to be audio snobs at times and don’t think that a big box brand like Denon can compete with should I say the more artisanal audiophile brands. But when one considers that larger companies like Denon have the financial wherewithal to spend significant dollars on engineering and R&D which the smaller audio brands likely cannot do, it makes sense that if Denon wanted to put out a showpiece product, it certainly could. This anniversary amp is undoubtedly that showpiece.

 

Your mileage may vary, but for those in the market for an integrated amp that does it all (except it doesn’t have a built-in streamer), this one-box solution is well worth a demo. 

[botrytis]

This is great to hear.

[Rexp]

Good to hear, integrated solid state amps is an area that has shown most improvement over the last ten years. I wonder how this compares to an affordable pre/power from the likes of Schiit. 

[RDSChicago]

Try one out. This also has a great DAC and phono stage which one wouldn’t get in a separate amp and preamp. 

[Rexp]

1 hour ago, RDSChicago said:

Try one out. This also has a great DAC and phono stage which one wouldn’t get in a separate amp and preamp. 

You can get a Schiit pre with phono & DAC.... 

[SalR406]

I used a Denon PMA-2000IVR integrated amp in my 2-channel system from around 2001-2003.  I guess that would make it a distant ancestor of the PMA-A110.  It was a very solid piece and I have good memories of it.  I eventually replaced it with Bryston separates, which I eventually replaced with... you get the idea.  Without the upgrade-itis, I'm sure I would have been happy with the Denon for many more years.