Denon PMA520AE Integrated Amplifier - Black

Product Information

Queue up a playlist of Major Lazer, Nine Inch Nails and even Rhianna, and the Denon happily zips through with speed and alacrity – if it suits your music style, the amp is a thoroughly energetic and entertaining listen. The SA-11S3 player uses new 384kHz/24-bit digital-to-analogue conversion, a new dedicated SACD/CD mechanism, the SACDM-2, and Marantz HDAM-SA2 and HDAM amplifier modules in the analogue circuits. There's even a dedicated headphone amp, again driven using the HDAM-SA2 technology.

The PMA-720AE is a stubborn and uncompromising performer, with a determined sound that won’t allow itself to loosen up. That doesn’t mean there’s any enjoyment lost, but such a particular presentation means the Denon will favour certain styles of music over others. While it has plenty of verve, its unyielding character might not hold up against rivals at such a competitive price point. This amp does have a penchant for a forward-sounding midrange/treble, but there’s no excess brightness to that top end, which has space to breathe. Play Quincy Jones’s Blues in the Night and the brass section soars with energy.

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Initial sonic impressions are also OK. Listen to In the Ghetto, and Elvis' voice is strongly projected and solidly delivered. There's decent detail, particularly in the midrange, and no shortage of speed when the music demands. But those wanting warmth and smoothness won't find it here.

The current Marantz mainstream amps and players will continue, but will be joined next month by the SA11-S3 and PM-11S3 SACD player and amp, which we first spotted at last months' High End 2012 show in Munich.

The PMA-500AE amplifier covers all the bases, too, with its complement of moving magnet phono stage, and tone, loudness and speaker switching controls. Little to complain about so far, then. And when the NA-11S1 finally does arrive, it'll be possible to drive a complete '11' system using the Marantz Control app on iPod/iPad/iPhone and the standard RC-5 remote control protocol. Straight away the Denon sounds strong and confident, with good levels of clear detail. We’d definitely keep the Source Direct button on – it bypasses the tone and balance controls for a more subtle and purer sound.

Play the record of 18 With A Bullet by Lewis Taylor and Carleen Anderson, and the Denon charges through the mellow do-wop tune with undue impatience and zeal. There is, however, a hardness to the sound that the amp refuses to part with. Leave it running in and you’ll find that hard edge starting to thaw – but only up to a point. The 720 retains that surefooted sense of timing that we praised in the 710, with the added benefit of a tauter, more controlled bass.It certainly conveys music across the whole spectrum, when first switched on it sounded a little 'spitty' on cymbals and a little grainy overall, after a few hours listening it sounds smoother now - maybe it has warmed up or maybe I've adjusted to it. This combo sounds messy, leaving you struggling to make sense of the various strands in a piece of music.

We paired the Denon PMA-520AE Integrated Amplifier with a pair of Q Acoustics 3020 and it was perfect. Both the speakers and the amplifier. Then we paired the same amplifier with a pair of Denon-branded but Mission-designed SC-MK5 bookshelf speakers and again, it was perfect. Goes to show that this Denon Amplifiers works very well with any compatible speakers. And the sound quality? It’s good. May not be the best, but it’s really good. And for its price, it is something hard to beat. For the audiophile beginner on a budget, this entry-level integrated amplifier from Denon is definitely for you. We heard the SA-11S3 and PM-11S3 running into Boston Acoustics m350 speakers at a demonstration during the D+M Group's European event this week – for more on that, see my main report from the event.

Bought this for a neighbour who has asked me to help set up an affordable strereo. Presently testing it in my system in place of an Exposure 21/18S combination. Long & short is, you've got to figure out WHICH part is mis-operating, 'cause you only need to replace THAT one (& replacing any other of course won't fix it!). It has strong dynamics that help bring the music alive though at times loud busy passages can sound a little cong ested and 'shouty'. It creates a reasonably good sound stage too. The Denon is excellent value second hand, it has now warmed up and to my ears sounds best with the tone controls defeated. It seems to have a fairly neutral tonal balance, perhaps slightly favouring lower midrange or maybe that's the KEF 104/2s it's playing through? There's a USB-A port on the front panel for iOS devices or USB memory, and three digital ins – coaxial, optical and USB-B – on the rear.