Home Denon PMA-1700NE – Up beat beast!

Denon PMA-1700NE – Up beat beast!

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Pros

  • Fine amplifier
  • Solidly built
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Volume control via remote
  • DAC could be better

Price: € 1999

Build quality
Usability
Sound
Price

Intro

With 110 years of historical innovation and heritage , Denon has a name to be proud of. The Denon PMA-1700NE is the latest addition to the line of the Japanese Brand. Developed and made in Japan, we are very curious what this versatile powerhouse will bring us.

The amplifier class between 1000 Euro and 2000 Euro is particularly popular on Alpha Audio. Almost every multitest in that class is a hit. And that’s not surprising: it’s still just affordable and this is where the biggest differences can be found (at least that’s what we think). That Denon has a product in this price class and tries to make a decent product, is understandable.

Denon PMA-1700NE

The new PMA-1700NE is an integrated amplifier with both analog and digital inputs. We see on the back a Phono (MM/MC) input, three single ended line inputs and a rec-out. Then we find two more optical inputs, a coaxial input and USB. It is also possible to use the PMA-1700NE as a power amplifier via the EXT.PRE input.

Finally, you can connect two pairs of speakers (Speaker A / B). On the front we see a button for Analog Mode (can be set in two positions), Source Direct for those who want to bypass the tone control completely and a MM/MC switch for the phono input. The large knob in the middle is for volume: that’s pretty recognizable. Of course, everything can also be done on the remote control. However, we find the steps for volume too large to control comfortably: point of attention for Denon. To the right of the volume knob is a small display that indicates the input.

Up-beat Class AB

As befits Denon, internally we find two E-core transformers and two FET transistors per side. The more beefy versions have more transistors, but this 1700NE has two per side. They should provide about 70 watts into 8 Ohms and 140 watts into 4 Ohms. That is quite true to our measurements (which you will find below). The dacboard we find in a separate box (for shielding) on the side of the amplifier. This appears to be the same as the one in the Marantz Model 40N. We see an equivalent pattern in our measurements. More on that later.

The build quality of the Denon is neat. The cabinet feels solid and the build quality internally looks good. In short: no complaints!

Amplifier type
Integrated
Amplifier technology
Class AB
Bridgemode
No
Amplifier inputs
  • Analog RCA
  • Analog Phono MM
  • Analog Phono MC
  • Digital Coaxial
  • Digital Optical
  • Digital USB
Amplifier outputs
  • Analog RCA
Power
Specification #1
  • Resistance: 8 ohm
  • Value specified: 70 watt
  • Value measured: 80 watt
Specification #2
  • Resistance: 4 ohm
  • Value specified: 140 watt
  • Value measured: 120 watt
Dimensions
  • Width: 43 cm
  • Depth: 41 cm
  • Height: 14 cm
Weight amplifier
18 Kg
Build in dac
Yes
Measurements
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC noise - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC noise - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - Jtest - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - Jtest - rec out
PMA 1700NE - DAC Lineairity - amp + rec out
PMA 1700NE - DAC Lineairity - amp + rec out
PMA 1700NE - DAC Lineairity - rec out
PMA 1700NE - DAC Lineairity - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - crosstalk - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - crosstalk - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC Dynamic range - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC Dynamic range - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC Filter - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC Filter - rec out
Denon PMA1700NE - 1 watt - 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - 1 watt - 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - 10 watt - 8 Ohm - high res
Denon PMA1700NE - 10 watt - 8 Ohm - high res
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC freq response - rec-out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC freq response - rec-out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC THD - REC out
Denon PMA1700NE - DAC THD - REC out
Denon PMA1700NE power 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE power 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE power 4 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE power 4 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - THDN - 10 watt - 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - THDN - 10 watt - 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - THDN - 1 watt - 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - THDN - 1 watt - 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - residu - 10 watt 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - residu - 10 watt 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - residu - 1 watt 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - residu - 1 watt 8 Ohm
Denon PMA1700NE - amp - freq response
Denon PMA1700NE - amp - freq response

Winkels met Denon

Sint-Antoniusstraat 15
2300 Turnhout, BE
Joseph Bensstraat 21
1180 Ukkel, BE
Bredabaan 1031
B-2930 Brasschaat, BE
Pelikaanstraat 126
2018 Antwerpen, BE
Schoenmakersstraat 19
6041EX Roermond, NL
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5931 CS Tegelen, NL
Parkweg 23
8084GG 't Harde, NL
St. Ceciliastraat 28
5038 HA Tilburg, NL
Geldropseweg 105
5611 SE Eindhoven, NL
Breestraat 146-148
2311CX Leiden, Zuid Holland, NL
Theresiastraat 151 - 157
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Beethovenstraat 9-b
1077 HL Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL