I bought the Denon PMA-880R as my first integrated amplifier in 1995 and I am still enjoying it. I have recently moved to a larger home and I have changed from a Pioneer PD S503 CD player into a Marantz CD5003 and kept the KEF Q50. Now I have a greater space and I realised the sound has improved. I will keep the system for years to come!

I got this PMA 880 R off ebay for a good price which make this Vgood amp to me . it is match up with a pare of AAD c400 speakers( bi wire ), a yamaha cdx 397 cd player and a gera planar 3 ( with motor upgrade kit & platter kit too ). the PMA 880 R on this system delivers a good will rounded sound , smooth accurate mid & high tones , deep rich bass. Yes their are better amps out there but not at the price or for my system .

Ample amount of power, good build quality, soggy bass(may be bad to others)

None at the price I paid for this amp.

I think majority of the reviewers were right to say that this amp sounded muddy. That's why one has to be careful in selecting what speakers and equipment to match with it. I feel that my Monitor Audio Monitor 2 is too bright sounding and its bass sounded lean. Hence, I decided to match them with the Denon PMA-880R after reading some of the reviews on it. I can say I'm pretty satisfied with the sound now. My Monitor Audio speakers do not sound so bright anymore. It has become more warm sounding and the lumpy bass from the amp has actually added some body to the vocals like never before!

Excellent coherence. Very balanced and musically involving presentation.

Long warmup. Frequency extreme4s a bit less detailed as the best; Necessitates meticulous attention to ancillary equipment Soundstage depth poor, width non-existent!!

I have noticed the extreme polarization on some of the reviews; I often attribute it to "individual tastes"; subjective qualities that are justifiably different. However, I feeled compelled ,after reading several very beneficial articles and reviews ( one of which appears above: Stanley Johnson. Well-done!!!) It is my hope to help as many music lovers as possible come closer to enjoyimg their music , and not getting caught in the neurosis of equipment chasing. While it is certainly expected to desire a new product; with all the new "bells & whistles"; It is also reasonable to expect a small hiatus from the purchase arena and time to relax, enjoy the product!!!! For many of us......This period of reflection, relaxation, and enjoyment is far too brief, it at ALL!!!!! We listen for only a period ( 2 weeks---3 months--long for MOST!!!). After this period we either: (1) Validate our choice as being extremely wise(Usually happens on VERY expensive purchases or (2) We list it FOR SALE, and start looking for something "new" all over. Unfortunately this cycle has little to do with the quality of the equipment, even less to do with music, and almost ALL to do with ego.......It has to costs more, or be bigger, or have more "fab" reviews than the one your friend "just bought". This treatise could continue; However, the point here is about my e3xperience with the Denon....EXACTLY the same as the previous reviewer. > Use the brightest,(preferably very neutral & transparent i/c's that you can find)NO expensive brands need apply!!! > Really does need adequate warm up time(approx. 1.5-2 hrs) Is it a "world beater" ? Be serious!!!! I said I wanted to help, not make you delusional!!!! (My later rating is "giant-killer; for lack of any other alternative responses) It's not going to trounce your $6K pre/power separates; However, when PROPER attention is taken for set-up and ancillary equipment, you will be a LOT closer than you think!!!!! And from a musically coherent (ie. balance) perspectiv, it will actually outperform many of your friends high end systems. Sure, the'll have their soaring highs, liquid midrange, thundering bass, etc..---------but ; You'll have your music!!!!!!! ISN"T THAT WHAT IT"S REALLY ABOUT ??????

Similar Products Used:

cj pv-4 ARC SP3A-1 Mike Yee LA-1 Mac MC30's Magnepans Polk RT2000 Linn LP12 Rega planar 2 Cal Audio cdp Denon cdp Rotel cdp Transparent, Synergistics, Monster, Luminous, Apogee, and "X"(DIY

When I first brought this amp home from the store, I was thinking "What a lemon!" Everything sounded muddy, the bass was terribly heavy, nothing like what you'd expect from a reasonably well spec'd Class A amp. The worst bit was the mid-range: totally dull and unexciting. To get sound that was even remotely listenable, you had to fool around with the bass and treble. What a load of crock, or so I thought.
OK, a week down the road, just when I was about to return this to the store, I made a startling discovery. This amp CAN sing REALLY WELL provided you take note of several things: USE THE BRIGHTEST SOUNDING CABLES YOU CAN FIND, a very clear CD player, and warm the amp up for about an hour before using.

I recommend silver-copper hybrid type interconnects and speaker cables - those that you might normally consider too painfully 'bright' to listen to should do very well with this amp.

When I swopped my old pair of mid-range copper Straightwire interconnects for a pair of DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1 and their T-14 speaker cables, wow, the dull horrible noise transformed itself into the smoothest and most mellow music that I have ever come across from an amp at this price range. And all this without using the stupid bass and treble controls (which tends to add a lot of hiss to the sound). Bass became detailed, tight and DEEP, and midrange came across smooth and silky. Highs are now very very nicely controlled. Nothing is too obstrusive, but yet the sound is still nicely detailed. Hell, it even sounds expensive now!

It might not have the kind of attack of more agile and higher tempo amplifiers, but with most music, especially jazz, it gives a very sweet sound at a low price.


PROS: Used with the right peripherals, it can deliver an incredibly rich and mellow sound. One very hot amp that can function as a drink warmer ;-)

CONS: Needs bright sounding cables and accompanying equipment, and a comprehensive warmup time.

power,tight ( real ) bass, remote

lacks detail esp. depth... muddy mid and laid back treble, not banana accepting terminals

I bought this amp used from a second hand store for $250.I auditioned it thru a Marantz CD-4000, Van Den Hul Thunderline Interconnect and ClearWater speaker cables plugged to KEF Cresta III's.Actually the sound seemed OK in the store but it did not at home.
I am not an audiophile and did not listened to real expensive HI-FI or HI-END ( I mean the stuff that you can buy a car instead )so my comments can be a kind of rookie's.
The amp has quite good built quality with all the controls supplied like the similars of the era-even a DENON compatible remote... It has a mid sized toroidal transformer ( the reason of lightweight-9kg. )also quality transistors and capacitors. ( I am working in a satellite receiver manufactoring factory as purchasing manager so I know how good components look like ) nearly all controls have relays and i like that... Well though it writes on the front panel I don't belive it's real Class A by the way.Maybe something similar to Technics' Class AA... And also it does not get hot easily.
About the sound; first of all it's not bad! But it's not perfect either... If you're looking for "clear as water" highs and soft and slow bass ( like vintage receivers' ) do not buy this amp.Bass is too tight and highs are placed behind...Vocal is a bit muddy and undetailed.It feels like you have "something" between you and the singer.Also it feels like all the musicians are put in a small room and playing so close to each other.otherwords you cannot picture the stage... But for electronic music this amp is very good.The treble never gets harsh and fast bass sounds like you are listening PA equipment.I like clear highs and soft lows so I think I will change this amp and go for a high level Pioneer or a ONKYO A-9911 maybe... I listened to 9711 and it was really exciting but does not have input for phono so I am looking for the upper model 9911... Maybe a Yamaha AX-892 would be a good choice as it was something between DENON and ONKYO ( natural sound ).
Anyway, if you're into Classic Rock, Jazz or Blues it's not what you like I guess but if you like techno or electronic music kind of thing go and get one you won't be disappointed... You may find my system below

DENON PMA880R Integrated Amplifier
SONY CDPX555ES CD Player
Pioneer F-T445 Tuner
Technics 1210 MkII Turntable ( Shure M70BX cartridge/styli)
Audio Event 8.1 Speakers ( handmade for ONKYO in Germany )
Bandridge Bi-Wire speaker cables
AudioQuest Indigo speaker cables
Profigold Interconnects
Va Den Hul Thunder Line Interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, ONKYO, Yamaha

I listened to this amp compared to the Rotel 970BX and without a doubt preferred the Rotel. The Denon has a boomy/muddy mid-bass and was a few $100 more, need I say more.
If you like a pretty box and a weak amplifier buy the Rotel over the Denon.

If you want a good sounding amp that is also cheap, buy a Creek 4330 ($495, $595 w/ remote). It's high current 40W/ch will kick anything in this price range to the curb.

Sound: 2 (it's better than a few real losers)
Volume: 2 (typical mass market over rating)
Value: 1 (can I put a zero?)
Build: 3 (It looks OK, but so does the Denon CD player I currently own and it has a lousy transport but good sound.)

There is much better available for the money.