Like usual with brands having over 50 years, Denon keeps its signature design and “look”. The Denon PMA-1600NE integrated amplifier still has this brushed aluminium front marked by this specific trend.
This amplifier is remarkably manufactured and offers everything one could expert from an effective audiophile amplifier.
DENON PMA-1600NE: FRONT
At the centre of the front, there is a big volume potentiometer and a traditional rotary source selector to the right. On the left, there are also the tone corrections, the balance, the direct source mode and the Analogue mode.
The Analogue mode allows to disable the digital connections to prevent the disruption of the analogue signal. As for Direct mode, it disables the tone corrections and the balance to keep the most faithful and transparent audio signal possible.
There is also a Stereo headphone jack in 6.35 mm jack format.
DENON PMA-1600NE: BACK PANEL
The back of the Denon PMA-1600NE is simple, but offers everything that is needed: 3 analogue inputs and 1 MM and MC phono input!
There are 4 digital inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial and 1 USB. They are handled by a Texas Instrument PCM1795 DAC which offers a resolution up to 384 kHz/32-bit in USB.
There is also a fixed “Tape Recorder” audio output and two stereo speaker outputs.
DENON PMA-1600NE: CHARACTERISTICS
Once the cover is removed, we can see two enormous transformers (one for each channel) and a double mono architecture.
The manufacture is clean and high-quality components are used.
DENON PMA-1600NE: TESTING AND LISTENING
The announced power of the amplifier (2 x 7 W) is clearly present and for me it seems even more powerful! The Denon PMA-1600NE can be paired with low energy Hi-Fi speakers and those having an output of 88 to 92 dB.
The restitution is very defined and transparent. The Denon PMA-1600NE will perfectly pair with neutral or slightly smooth speakers.
The Phono input is of good quality for an amplifier from this range and the capacity to connect a turntable (Discover all our turntables) with an MC cartridge (low output moving coil) is surely a plus.
The Denon PMA-1600NE may have less colours than its competitors and is also a little less exuberant.
Considering its performance, manufacture quality, connection compatibilities and the proposed price, the Denon PMA-1600NE integrated amplifier is an excellent choice!
Would recommend +++
FranckPower at 8 Ohms: 70 W
Power at 4 Ohms: 140 W
Total harmonic distortion: 0.01%
MM phono input sensitivity: 2.5 mV/47 kOhms
Phono signal-to-noise ratio: 89 dB
MC phono input sensitivity: 0.2 mV/100 Ohms
Phono signal-to-noise ratio: 74 dB
High-level signal-to-noise ratio: 108 dB
Analogue inputs: 3
Digital inputs: 2 x optical, 1 x 192 kHz/24-bit coaxial
USB input: 1 x 384 kHz/32-bit
Audio output: 1 x Tape Recorder
Driver outputs: 2 x stereo
Headphone jack: 6.35 mm stereo
DAC: Texas Instrument PCM1789
Remote control: RC-1213
Dimensions: 434 x 414 x 135 mm
Weight: 17.6 kg
