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Review 3 of 3 Summary:
This little amp is simply incredible! When I say little, I mean SMALL. It's only about 10" wide, 14" deep, and it weighs 14 lbs. (4 lbs. heavier than Creek 4330). The only amp smaller may be the Musical Fidelity X-A1. This amp is the centerpiece of Denon's audiophile mini-system, the Point Component System. When used in this system, it acts as the pre-main amplifier while a separate power amp (POA-7.5) and Dolby Pro Logic preamp (AVP-7.5) are connected. However, as a stand alone integrated amp (yes, it does have its own power amp and pre amp sections), it is a ridiculous overchiever for the price.
The PMA-7.5 is rated at 45W per channel @ 8 ohms. This figure is conservative. It is loud and clean at 8 ohms. However, when driving my 6 ohm Celestion 15i speakers it does so at a ballsy 80W per channel. This amp does not lose control even when driving 6 ohms. All transients are handled cleanly.
Peak dynamic power is rated at 120W @ 2ohms. Frequency response is an amazing 10Hz - 100KHz+0, -3dB. This amp features a pure current power supply which knocks IM distortion down by 60dB. Remember when I mentioned that this little beast weighs in 14 lbs.? Well, that's because a huge 120V toroidal transformer sits in the chassis and takes up most of the space.
Although it has tone controls, they can be bypassed for truer fidelity sound. There are 6 inputs including an excellent MM phono stage. Speaker connections are high quality banana jack/bare wire (no cheap spring clips here!). Digital sounds unbelievably lifelike through this amp. Nothing seems to be lost in the signal flow with virtually no noise present. All that can be heard is the music shining through cleanly and dynamically. Analog is sheer ecstacy through this amp. My Linn Basik, Akito tonearm, and Grado Reference Platinum pulled out every last nuance from Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" album with chilling results through this little amp. That album never sounded better.
How much does this little beast cost? Well Soundscape has it for $500, and it is worth every penny. This amp sounds just a hair from being as good as the ultra high-end S Series amps that Denon makes. It utilizes many of the same components and of course the pure current circuitry. The Denon PMA-S1 integratd amp sells for $5200. However, you can own the PMA-7.5, which will give you virtually the same sound as the PMA-S1 for a ludicrous $139 from SpiderGear! $139!!!!!!!! How many amps that come equipped with a toroidal transformer sell brand new for under $400? To top it all off, this little amp is very attractive and sleek featuring a silver face and gold trim.
The PMA-7.5 can be had for a one of the most foolishly low prices I've seen for brand new equipment with its features. This amp can hold its own and then some with other integrateds like the Creek 4330 and Musical Fidelity X-A1, and for hundreds less. Check it out!
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5 of 5
