Denon's BUDGET AMPLIFIER with BLUETOOTH! - DENON PMA-600NE Amp Review!

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

★ *REVIEWING: **amzn.to/3ngEw25** ADDITIONAL INFO IN THE DESCRIPTION⬆︎* ★ *QOTD: What do you think of Denon’s sound? Has it changed over the years?* ★ *Love our conversation/outtakes? Be sure to watch to the end* ★ *COMMENT RULES: Please be respectful. No outside links, URLs, email addresses, etc. Violations are automatically deleted.*

[@creativeslink]

I’m a budget buyer. My most important concern was how do I get my Apple Music delivered tunes to be able to stream aac over Bluetooth directly from MacBook Pro and IPhone. I also looked at THD. .07 would be low correct?

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@@creativeslink The Denon's THD is not going to be that big of an issue -especially over BT. Note, I'm not the biggest fan of the Denon's BT performance, but it works, is solid in its connection it just isn't the most refined BT I've heard.

[@earlismarks7108]

Thanx Andrew...I have been checking this amp out lately...the bluetooth feature does not seem to a high point or a plus factor..

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@@earlismarks7108 I wouldn't buy this amp for its BT capability, but if you own a budget turntable or already have digital source components it's worth considering, but the Cambridge pieces referenced in this video (and in the links) are perhaps "better" so check them out.

[@creativeslink]

@Douglas Blake it’s hard to do Math with the music turned up so loud ;)

[@IKnewMickey]

I'm a huge fan of the fact you are reviewing under $1000 products. I watch reviews of very expensive amps and speakers but I'm not spending $9500 and up on anything except a car.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

We have a whole playlist dedicated to budget gear which you can see here: kzbin.info/aero/PL0M9xqvUDwdxizrQVGYr2giwb_sL4fnht

[@earlismarks7108]

Real talk! 🏆

[@nickelbut10]

I've been in this hobby for almost 20 years now with systems in three homes. Finally in my current home I was able to build a dedicated room. That said I've owned Bryston. Naim. Rega. Cambridge Audio and more. Full setups from all of them. All were good in their own ways and did a lot of the hifi stuff right. Detail, prat etc. As I close in on 40 next year I have grown tired though of listening to my stereo more than I focus on the actual overall enjoyment. I do way more long listening sessions now and some of these brands are great at a flash but over time made me want to rip my ears off. Bryston being one of them. So recently I settled on an Arcam pre/pro setup and wow. What a wonderful "pleasing" big warm and still detailed enough sound. I see why Arcam has a cult following. The Arcam draws you in over time. Such a pleasant listening experience, and my favorite to date. Exactly what I was looking for. So why this long post? I get what your saying about sometimes things just need to be pleasant. I feel you pal. Thanks for the great videos.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Nick I can relate. I too have had many a so-called high-end setup and more often than not have retreated back to setups that were simple and just sounded good. Appreciate you sharing. your personal experience!

[@pierrefornallaz364]

So what ? your comments are totally out of the subject and we don't care about your personal story !!

[@tbonet859]

Nick, would you mind sharing what Arcam models you have? I'm always looking for warm, pleasing musical presentations. Thanks.

[@SaZooCaballero]

2:39 I did almost the same. I have this amp and running near $2000 Totem Rainmakers. I have more expensive amps but the Denon 600 outmatches them with ease. Should be called a giant killer. Great amp! Nice video!

[@kavinsiva1634]

OMG!!!!!! FINALLY A VIDEO THAT 80% OF PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE IN THIS CHANNEL RATHER THAN SOME SPEAKER AND AMP THAT COST MORE THAN HOUSE PLEASE KEEP DOING VIDEOS LIKE THIS PLEASE!!!!

[@TheSputnikman]

tldr; Thank you for the review, Andrew! I'm an owner of PMA-600NE. You nailed it with sound description! IMHO amp has warm & relaxed coloration, good connectivity, functionality and value. It is not perfect, but really "good enough" when played with. ^_^ Thank you for the great video and content you are making, Andrew! It is always a pleasure to the eye and interesting to hear your take on different Hi-Fi aspects. I respect them because of the honesty of your opinions that I somehow (think I ) feel even though I don't agree with every point you make. Watched your video on my system with DENON PMA-600NE and Yes - it is my first amp I started this hobby with. ^_^ Reasons I bought it over other products were: price, connectivity and power (70W which, as turned out, is given for 0.7% THD). All-in-all it is a very nicely made component for the price. Sound wise you simply nailed it! I have been A/B comparing it with ICEPower based amp on two sets of speakers and sound stage in both cases was way further behind and also narrower for DENON, as you mentioned. So I can confirm - it is warm and relaxed (read: boosted bass and laid back highs) sounding amp, which I personally have no problem with. :) I really liked your point that it is actually not a big drawback as someone might think. In my opinion, it is a nuance that makes this amp so easy going. I will go as far to guess, that it is a most likely a calculated and smart move by DENON, since many "budget bookshelf" speakers, it will be connected to, have boosted highs and thus combination will not be too bright and analytical sounding. In my set-up I have DALI OBERON 1 and I like the pairing. I admit that I have boosted highs just a bit to my taste to have that room filling sound and image is simply too far when I am "critically listening". Which brings me to a suggestion / question to you, Andrew: Do you play with tone controls to tune the sound to your ear when you hear that amp has a certain coloration? If yes - why not include some of your suggestions in reviews? IMHO it would be interesting and helpful for a lot of people. After all, there are these tone controls on the front panel so why not use them for an improvement? Greetings from Latvia and cheers! P.S. Thanks for the Moby - Everloving song suggestion! Listening to the entire "Play" album and it is a true gem!

[@deanowarrior]

Had the Cambridge and Denon side by side with my q3050i and kept the Denon. Smoother, weightier but still a nice clear top end to me. Enjoyed the reviews though.

[@dpcummerbund]

For anyone who wonders what this channel is all about, this is the perfect video. As a recent subscriber/supporter, I really appreciate the effort Andrew and Kristi have put into explaining why they LIKE certain gear, regardless of its specs, and why some people might prefer something different. This is really helping me make my own decisions about what I might like based on the EXPERIENCE I want to have, and not what other people say I'm SUPPOSED to like. Keep up the good work, and thank you.

[@brianlewis5042]

I look forward on Sunday to see and especially hear not only your review, but also Kristi’s views on particular products. My Sunday is complete. Thanks you both for your insight.

[@markproctor4822]

In the 80's back in the UK I had a Denon amplifier and some Wharfedale speakers along with my record player, 14 band EQ, a dual tape deck, and a Sony CD player which my brother just bought along with the only CD available (Bruce Springsteen). He "borrowed" it (whole system) for a party at a friends house and blew up the amplifier and speakers. Neither of us had money at the time to replace anything, so everything got placed in a cupboard until we did. We both joined the Navy shortly after that and our sister sold everything whilst we were gone. I had a fledgling album collection and my brother had a huge singles collection, boy were we mad! Now that vinyl is making a comeback I wish I had some disposable income for a modest audio setup as listening to the radio just isn't the same quality as a good record through a decent amp and speakers.

[@megasquidd]

I love the focus on the lower end components. There are way more folks looking to buy in the lower range than the higher range. Keep it up.

[@stephenstevens6573]

This channel has become so interesting! While you(andrew) are a recovering audiophile, Kristi is a budding audiophile! Two vastly different disciplines! Keep going, guys! Mad respect!

[@earlismarks7108]

I agree S.S. this is a very informative I have learned so much...there is something to be said for having a pragmatic approach to reality....😁

[@ksho4848]

I bought the Denon and compare with my Marantz and NAD. I like the sound of the Denon 600. I think it is the matches with speakers that count.

[@KristiWright]

Good morning everybody! The sun is finally shining here today! Who else needs a daily dose of sunshine to avoid the blues? 🙋‍♀️

[@creativeslink]

I drove to the Texas hill country to enjoy it. We’ve got Texas singer songwriters on the onkyo powered jbl built ins!!

[@bulldozer9600]

So that’s where the sun went :((

[@SeanVedell]

Finally got a little sun here in Ontario. Makes me forget that it was snowing while I cut my grass yesterday. True story.

[@derickhardy7561]

I'm in Southwest Louisiana. Hopefully we'll get some sun soon as well.

[@thesupergamermario3701]

Kristi which budget friendly intergrated amp (or regular amp) do you like?

[@cameronkrause4712]

I think you have a good discussion going on in the video. When I bought my latest amplifier I did not have the chance to hear a lot of different things. But, after doing some research I went with the Denon PMA 1600ne. One thing I noticed was that for a long while the 1600 seemed to fall a little flat. But after about 6 weeks this lackluster character was gone and the presentation was much more involving. Often, when I am watching a review or reading a review I have to wonder just how well broken in the component was before it was reviewed. There certainly are products that shine right out of the box, but this isn't always the case. BTW, about the Rotel ,Rotel has made some great pieces over the years. I am not surprised that you speak so highly of the Tribute amp. I think Rotel has been overlooked for the passed decade.

[@chadkoehler8021]

I had a similar experience with my Denon 600NE...6 weeks seemed to be the magic number for me too and the thing started opening up like crazy all while retaining its powerful yet smooth presentation. I feel like this thing got a bad rap because it’s definitely one that needs a little more play to show you what it can really do.

[@patrickmartin123]

Hi Andrew. Just want to thank you. I was confused for months on what amp to buy with my Kef speakers and I finally bought the Naim Unity Atom after having seen your review. I am amazed by the quality of the sound and its performance despite its modest 40 wpc. Thanks and continue the good work.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Patrick that makes me so happy to hear! I love it when a system comes together. Enjoy!

[@Sparklingwater1231]

Just received this two days ago! Very happy with it so far. Works great to drive my B&W 607's which I bought on sale for my Project turntable and tv. As someone who recently finished my studies and lives with other flatmates, I don't have much to spend and look especially for a do it all system. This Denon ticks all those boxes. Keep up the good work, greeting from Amsterdam

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thank you for weighing in and for sharing your personal experiences with us!

[@FlyGuy457]

Man, Kristi is a deep thinker on the Denon subject. The questions she raises are complex and valid. Now, makes me wonder as if I am just accepting of a certain sound or, is it the diminishing returns creeping in (which I do believe is a thing).

[@OldGrowthRedwood]

“Deep thinker” = Full of soup

[@tbonet859]

I think Andrew hits it on the head: most of us are obligated to our own financial parameters, as well as location accessibility. However, I will say this. It is very accommodating to have at least two systems in the house, if possible. As Andrew discussed, using that Alanis Morrisette album as an example: most of us love many albums that were not recorded very well, and often excessively compressed. So, having another system in the house: that presents a more pleasing presentation of some of our beloved, albeit badly recorded/compressed music; is a musical godsend. That's why components like this Denon are important. Thank you for the review!!

[@bradd3840]

I've got a Denon AVR-2400 from 1998 that I still use every day in my office, sounds great to me. I guess that's "vintage" now. I also have a Sansui AU-505 from the early 70s that is REALLY vintage, and I just bought the Cambridge ARX85. They all sound great to me. I guess I'm blessed in that I really just hear the music and not the equipment. Yea, good speakers make a difference.

[@svenschwingel8632]

There has been a university study conducted in Germany (I think it was in 2005 or 2006 if memory serves) that tried to determine how listeners respond to music reproduction and what makes them perceive a component or a chain as having a "good sound". The results were quite interesting because it turned out that there are basically two extreme types of listening. One is all about precision and timing (as in a loudspeaker's step response and time-alignment of the chassis). This type of listener will usually prefer components with a "fast" impulse response and won't care too much about a linear frequency response as long as the sound is not too coloured. Also this type of listener puts some emphasis on a proper soundstage. But precision is everything. These listeners usually don't go for bass-reflex ventilated speakers but tend to prefer exotic concepts like transmission lines. Also, they like their crossover networks as simple as possible for best phase accuracy. The second extreme would be the listener to whom tonality is everything. They are less susceptible to flaws in timing/precision but will instantly notice if a chain will add a slight discoloration to their favourite female jazz singer's or soprano's voice. And the study concluded that both of these extremes form a spectrum of preference and expectation. Which is probably what the lady of the house was talking about.

[@joshuawarren9891]

Loved this review. Looking forward to the Cambridge AXR100 (I have an AXR85 in my office, great budget piece of kit IMHO). To QOTD - I think people are absurdly snobby about Denon. I remember my father had an early Denon CD-based minisystem that was well ahead of its time in both features and sound. The current product suite is well suited to a a range of budgets and will do absolutely fine for ~80% of people.

[@johnsoltau620]

I have the Denon PMA-680R (29 years old) paired with JBL S99 speakers (52 years old), a Technics turntable, and a Yamaha CD player. Absolutely wonderful sound.

[@chadkoehler8021]

This may be the perfect opportunity to have an extremely productive conversation about different sound preferences...as you know, Steve G audiophiliac was so blown away by this amp that he made it his reference budget integrated for over a year now. I don’t know if you have a relationship with him but it would be awesome to see you two have a conversation on why you have such a polarizing difference of opinion on this Denon. ❤️

[@DBB57]

I feel like listening to everything through a pair Cornwalls has to play a role for Steve's impression of things.

[@cremersalex]

@@DBB57 If I'm not mistaken, Steve Guttenberg uses the Denon 600 in all his speaker reviews to see how they perform with a budget amp.

[@chadkoehler8021]

Yes, it appears Steve has driven a lot of speakers through this Denon since he decided it could stay in his setup.

[@trekjudas]

I don't think I would be as good as explain all of this to newbies as you are. I would drown them in jargon and confuse the hell out of them with too much confusing information. You guys do good work!

[@derickhardy7561]

I am very much the person you described. I bought a budget Denon 5 channel AVR from best buy, and then I upgraded to the higher end Denon without giving much thought to other brands. Now Kristi has me curious about a few things, but at the cost of $500 - $1000 I don't know if I'd gamble on another brand. To top it off I really enjoy the HEOS and Audessy apps.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Derick you stick with what works for you. If Denon has the performance and features you like, then that is all that matters.

[@stephenstevens6573]

In answer yo your question of the day...I still have my Denon AVC-2800 powering my secondary system, and I couldn't be happier with it. If, in fact it had a little more balls i would have retained it to power the magnapans, but it just didn't have enough. Denons sound has always been to me a real laid back sound that was always pleasing to me. They always seem to have features that were(are) important to me. Sub out, pre outs, etc...things you don't always find. Denon will always hold a warm spot in my heart. True class act components.

[@jasonreyes9504]

Perfect timing. I was just researching this for my little brother. He’s almost ready to graduate past a sound bar.

[@arena_rock_man9030]

I recommend the Emotiva TA-100 over this. The Emotiva has a better pre-amp, it's cheaper, more power, and had a more widely accepted sound signature, because of its more competent DAC over that of the Denon's.

[@jasonreyes9504]

@@arena_rock_man9030 if it was for me, I would agree. But it’s not. I’m looking at the outlaw RR2160mkii

[@dougg1075]

Nice! Now the fun starts.

[@angelOcrisu]

I also opted for a not expensive soundbar but I returned it the day after. I own this Denon and it s a great amp with a lot of inputs. Even the bt sounds great for a not picky listener and when you don t want to start the pc, tv or whatever digital /analog source.

[@HorizonKin]

It’s a solid amp. I bought it for my gf. Ran it on my Martin Logan’s. And it sounds very impressive. The source knob has such a solid clunk changing. It’s so satisfying. The volume knob moves automatically with the remote. The only little thing is since the volume knob is motorized it’s not the best at micro volume adjustments with the remote. The Bluetooth sounds plenty good enough for beginner critical listeners. And the other problem is the market is pretty limited at the moment with popular models going out of stock and no clear idea when it will be back in stock.

[@condoguy710]

I just got this after much deliberation. It pairs easily with my iPhone and bought Elac Debut 2.0 UB5.2 for $200 so it suits my needs. It's very easy to stream music. I also have an optical wire from my QLED TCL into the amp and the speakers sound great for better TV sound. I'd love to get the Power Node but $899 a bit steep right now. Maybe upgrade in the future. Thanks for the honest review.

[@davidangel-blair9358]

Thank you Kristi and Andrew. Glad you reviewed another budget Hi Fi component.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Sure thing. Thank you for watching!

[@jawadtaheri4989]

How would this compare with the marantz pm 5005??

[@rockfidelity8229]

This is not a bad amp. I have this amp paired with elac b6.2, a sub and modi 3 with chromecast for streaming. Total cost was less than $900 and I'm pretty satisfied with it. I found it worked well for both music and movies with decent amount of bass. My main system is about $3500 and it only sounds good for music. Like Andrew always say the only person who has to be satisfied with your system is you. I love your reviews Andrew keep up the good work.

[@johnnyreagan1]

Thank you for the review of this Denon. I have been loving the bonus conversation and Kristi's input. Your motto of "Remember the only person who has to like the sound of your system is you" pretty much covers it all IMHO. That statement changed how I look at buying gear for personal use! Keep up the great work.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thank you so much Johnny.

[@laika25]

I got a 90s Denon (integrated) for 60euro on Wallapop (sort of Ebay) and I absolutely LUV it! I use it with a Denon CD player (that I got new) and I only listen to it thru headphones (hd600s, Sundaras, and several AKGs and Beyerdynamics). It takes me to heaven and back, every time.

[@Panslapper]

Sounds like the perfect amp for the front room after a hard days labour. Think I will get one.

[@donvittoriosierra]

I really love Kristi's honest personal feel of commenting. It makes this channel very honest despite other people criticizing your channel. What can I say Andrew, I guess people probably thought you were too much of a nice guy to get down and dirty with criticisms lol. As for me, I love the Andrew and Kristi dynamic!

[@huynhthanhtung53]

I always liked Kristine post-review comments, but not this time...LOL. I just bought the Denon PMA-300 ( my first Denon) to drive the Klipsch R-802, which sounded disappointed with an old Pioneer Elite. Wow, everything comes alive... So happy. Keep up the good work Andrew, thank your better half for being totally honest.

[@andrewgorenc9160]

Thank you Andrew and Kristi! I am just starting in the two-channel world - this is exactly the content I’m looking for! 🙏

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Glad to hear you’re finding it helpful!

[@westcoast708]

priced right and all very clean looking hitting these reviews out of the park you guys .

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thanks @westcoast! Appreciate you tuning in this morning!

[@phonatic]

Great point to also review more affordable units, but I enjoy watching your reviews no matter what the price range is. I do like that so many integrated amps are now back with a built-in phono pre-amp, something that was nearly impossible to find some 15-20 years ago.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

We do our best to bring you all a range of products at every budget level. Thank you for checking out today's new video and for joining us this morning!

[@earlismarks7108]

...Word.

[@tomboepplewatercolorsdesig1258]

I recently ordered this Denon from Crutchfield. I’m waiting for it to be delivered. I’ve been a Yamaha fan. Since the 80’s I’ve bought Yamaha recievers. I got a Yamaha CD player this past week. So I was looking for a small amp to hook it up to. This is going to be in a small work room and I didn’t want a big receiver .Hearing your comments I think I made the right decision of my purchase. I want a laid back sound for the this room and I will hook some Polk Audio Speakers to it .

[@good5113]

I’m in the same camp as you.. right down to the Polk speakers! I’m a CD listener looking for a lower budget amp in my office/music room. What’s your opinion of the Denon 600NE at this point? Cheers.

[@jstpsgthru]

Denon PMA 980 R: Still HiFi enough for me after 30 years!

[@jroceastvan]

Denon is excellent. For that price point. It is a taste of high current sound. The Rotel A11 Tribute looks very nice and apparently it is one of the best sounding amps ever made at that price.

[@dougg1075]

Had an AVR 2800 in the late nineties and it’s still one of the best amplifiers I’ve had. Would sell my soul for that Japanese only integrated beast they have.

[@lesmatthews459]

I was a Technics fan - but I bought my first Denon last summer - and love it!!

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

Totally on point on the access observation. What's very interesting is that the 2 review channels I regularly watch are this and the Audiophiliac. Steve has had this as his budget reference for over a year - he uses it all the time. In fact he's probably to blame for the recent $50 increase in price. Yet you guys are kinda underwhelmed. This review therefore tells me a lot about the difference between the sound preference of the two channels especially as I've heard the amp. So now when I watch either of you do new review I maybe will have a, better sense of how that product might sound to me.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

What are your thoughts on the amp?

[@KristiWright]

That's really good to know that this is becoming more clear to viewers. At least for me, that is something I try to bring to light in the post review conversations. What one likes or doesn't is so subjective and personal to the individual but getting a broader sense of what we jive with (or don't) I think helps you in the long run. I know Andrew strives to be as objective and clear in the review portion of the video so you know just what to expect before ever getting into the "what I like" part of it. Had not realized this had been reviewed much (at all) but interesting to know SG had different feelings on the amp. Thanks for watching!

[@JoelOman1980]

I had a choice to get this OR the Marantz PM6006 and ended up getting the Marantz. I liked the dynamics better in the Marantz and also ended up getting the NA6006 Network Streamer, very satisfied! Thanks for yet another good review, cheers! Take care!

[@RP-ms7lu]

There are other factors when buying amplifiers like availability, service facility, price and durability. Sony AVR are not available in India! Others don't have service or dealer! Denon is easily available with good discount and quality is great . I don't think there is anything available at low price except denon !

[@trekjudas]

I wish you guys were around 20 years ago when I first got into this hobby! The truth is you guys are FAR more helpful and useful than magazines like Stereophile and The Absolute sound everywhere.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Wow, thanks for the compliment Kevin. Appreciate it!

[@trekjudas]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews You guys make stuff accessible for people who are just getting into this. The magazines were written exclusively for people who were already hardcore and could make heads or tales of all the jargon and graphs they constantly used.

[@julianaandpatrickpiper7583]

Loved the bonus conversation on brand loyalty. Great take on it.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thanks!

[@acronus]

Particularly about limited availability depending on where you live.

[@ausmartin1]

I've found the PMA600NE to be very neutral ie balanced that works well with a cheap pair of speakers like JBL A130 along with a small powered PSB sub. I'm a bit surprised you both found it less "lively" ... suggestion use the tone controls .... makes it able to adjust for all types of music source problems... I even turn up the treble and add a little bass. Some poor recorded or harsh digital music and movies benefit from fine tuning and no I don't feel I seated far from the stage sonic wise . When I auditioned this unit it sounded like a much more expensive unit but has the benefit it handled cheaper speakers as well. Replaced a NAD hybrid that was all bass only at low volumes and only came alive at high volumes. The PMA600NE is differently more accurate accross the volume and more like my main system at a fraction of the cost. Plus use coax in with 75ohm rca cable substantial difference vs optical.

[@amritsarboy1]

Budget things don't impress these audiophile gurus easily.

[@projectgothamgtr]

THANK YOU FOR THIS REVIEW! I was looking for budget friendly amps under 700$ with at least 50w and hopefully bluetooth and a remote and Cambridge is one of few that have it. While I can always add bluetooth with an adapter (like the Zen) I just found the lack of coverage of affordable integrated amps sad. Thank you again!

[@matthewhilty4209]

One of my first high fi systems was a Denon mini system, I loved it for years . Then one day I went to the local hi-fi shop and heard some different amps , musical fidelity , a NAD and a Rega. I then realized that my little Denon sound wasn't engaging. Sadly it sounded flat and boring like a soda with no fizz. I had no idea why at the time. Looking back I think the little Denon had very little dynamics. That exiting Ooomph wasn't there. I still have the DCD-F101CD player it is very compact and sounds fine with the optical output. I don't think Denon is bad it just doesn't do it for me anymore.

[@garyfain7235]

Another outstanding review. Love the honesty. Have to say I am a Denon fan for the reasons you cite Andrew. Loved Christi’s perspective and her self reflection about whether her taste in sound has changed over time. Think it’s amazing two people can listen to the same setup and walk away with totally different perspectives on the impact of the sound/musicality of the experience. After all is said and done, isn’t it the experience (as audio folk...won’t say audiophile) that we seek? Okay, now my question...I’ want to setup a second system starting with my Klipsch heresy IVs. Looking for an integrated amp that has a really good sound stage, depth and width, as I am realizing (like Christi) that my preference is changing. I’m becoming a more critical listener. I often find myself sitting in the dark or eyes closed while listening to music. Any suggestions for less than $$1500? Pretty much and analog listener (CDs and LPs), but do stream from my iPhone/iPad occasionally. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated

[@Mark198d]

Interesting discussion at the end. I have a Denon PMA-2000IVR circa 2005, which is a predecessor of the current PMA-2500NE (basis for the PMA-A110). I think you get a lot of value with Denon if you buy used because they have not really changed the power amp topology for these amps in like 20 years. Google photos of the guts for the PMA-2000 and the PMA-2500NE and they are very similar. I can't speak for the entry level PMA-600NE or 800NE or the premium level PMA-SX series as I have no experience with those. I feel a connection to Denon. My first stereo component as a kid (early 90's) was an old Denon DRA stereo receiver that I thought sounded great. My dad had a Yamaha stereo receiver in the living room that I thought sounded a bit bright and thin compared to my Denon. I like Denon's full bodied sound, which to me sounds refined and has a pleasing blackness between notes. Some may interpret that as "dark" or lacking detail. To me it sounds natural and unforced.

[@miquel440]

I bought the PMA 600 last year,had some speakers to test if there was a match. Tryed the B&W 606S2,the ELAC Debut 2.0 62 and the Q acoustics 3030I. The B&W irritated me after a hour of listening.To bright,to nervous. The ELAC,s and Q.s matched eachother.It was a difficult choice.Both of them sounded brilliant. I did choose the Q,s because the are available in white. And men do they sound wonderful with the PMA 600.It blew me away.After a couple of days playing they really came to life. The Q,s are on Norstone stands coupled to the Denon with the outstanding QED XT40I Reference speaker cables. It gives me a smile from ear to ear every day. I have a rather large record collection so i bought the Pro Ject Primary E and changed the original Ortofon Stylus 5E with a Stylus 20 and the Denon handles it beautifully in analog mode. What i mean to say is that i don.t believe in expensive hifi being better that this budget set up. You get very good sound with a small budget. Just take your time to test it.

[@jamestaylor1162]

I am looking to use this exact pairing! I have upgraded to the Q acoustics 3030i from a pair of Tannoy Mercury M2s as I wanted something more modern and with more bass, and am now shopping for a new amp as my rotel ra-820ax, which I got for a really good price a few years ago is on the way out. I am considering either this amplifier or an AV receiver. Glad to hear you love your setup! I will certainly be considering upgrading to the same pairing 😁

[@miquel440]

@@jamestaylor1162 You will not regret the PMA 600..It.s powerful enough and a relaxed amp.Sound is fantastic,bright highs and mids and plenty of bass.Also pricewise it.s very attractive.You made a good choice with the Q,s but the Elacs were on the same level. Try the Denon if you can...You won.t regret it. Thanx for the reply and i am happy to hear from you which choice you made! Greetings.

[@mden2490]

I just purchased the 3030i’s and the Denon 600 is being delivered today. This is for a second system in the living room. My concern was that possibly the Denon does not have enough juice to drive the 3030i’s at louder listening levels and one would hear some distortion? What has been your experience at higher listening levels? What else do you have connected with the denon? I plan on connecting my Bluesound node streamer via rca, as I believe the Bluesound has a much better Dac, and I might get the Denon DCD 600ne or 900ne cd player? I am eager to set it up today, I would very much appreciate to hear your opinion on your setup as you have had it for a while at this point. Thanks

[@miquel440]

@@mden2490 Good Afternoon (here in Holland). First you made a good choice,you won.t regret it! The Q,s need some time to " run in" I started with light soul music at normal levels.. The Denon 600 is capable to handle high volumes,not a problem at all.. Same for the Q,s. The Denon als needs a short time to settle. After some settling the detailed sound from the Q,s is awesome! I have them on Norstone stands,around 50 cm from the wall. I use the QED XT 40 reference speaker cables. I play a lot of soul and 70.s music and i.m very impressed. The Denon is powerful enough.Don.t worry about that. But the Q,s need a while to fully perform.After that it.s giving you a smile from ear to ear..I had a rather small budget and went for this equipment.Stunned by the soun and performance. I hooked up a Pro Ject record player. Brilliant.And i got the Denon DNP800 audiostreamer in combination with TIDAL Hifi.My first song i played was Opeth with Windowpane. You hear the potential of the speakers! And i always use "Source Direct "on the Denon. Keep me informed how it.s going! Enjoy it!

[@miquel440]

@@mden2490 p.s I use the DAC from the Denon..it works excellent.

[@daraghmorrissey]

I really like the conversation at the end. Brands are a bit like religions. Everyone's ears are different and everyone should respect and embrace diversity of taste and budget. My first home theatre set up was a Bose acoustimass 7 paired with a Sony AVR (1998). 12 years later I upgraded to a Kef set with a Denon AVR. 5 years ago I bought an Atmos bundle from Onkyo. I just bought the Klipsch Atmos reference set from Costco and in the market for a budget AVR to replace the Onkyo AVR. Audiophiles would probably laugh at my set ups. Every setup I've purchased though has delivered better sound - at cheaper budgets (when you factor in price inflation). My ears are probably not the greatest judge - but having listened to higher budget set ups - I can't hear where the money goes. So I appreciate Andrew's reviews of budget tech. There is some amazing value to be had if you shop around.

[@Setright]

I have paired a Denon PMA600 with a set of Monitor Audio Bronze 500. It works well for me! The Bronze respond well with a delicate balance across frequencies. They react from 20Hz, although they need 30Hz to provide full volume. Great for all sorts of music, including classical piano and violin. The 600ne is compact and fits nicely inside our TV/hifi table. Wife Approval Factor is important in the overall balance of budget, performance, looks and practicality. The Bluetooth is a good feature, that my wife appreciates, since she just uses music to fill the void.

[@jmcc2736]

I got the Denon PMA 800ne. Great amp. Weird though it has no sub out. However with my Polk Audio S60E, I really don’t need the extra bass with a sub out. Pair the warm Denon amp with a bright speaker and it balances out quite nicely. I do agree on the DAC. My Topping E30 DAC through the analog mode on the amp is quite a bit better, even more dynamic. Makes the speakers feel more lively. Love the honesty Kristi.

[@essuhasa]

I have the same amp and just yesterday ordered exactly the same dac :D looking forward to testing when it arrives

[@jmcc2736]

@@essuhasa yeah I use the E30 as my dedicated headphone DAC. I really just wanted to test the analog mode out and play music via my PC > DAC > amp using analog mode. Hard to say which one made a better improvement. The DAC or the analog mode, or both. But it was better, slightly clearer, richer, more impactful and more dynamic. Hope you experience the same improvement

[@richardt3371]

I have my subwoofers connected at line level per speaker on my PMA-800 - couldn't be happier with the arrangement, and wouldn't use a dedicated subwoofer out except on an AV amp. It is a great amp!

[@sashaantidot2444]

That,s why i bought 600ne. it has bluetooth and sub out

[@andreassouth1523]

Wonderful presentation. A comparison of the denon/ cambridge audio with the yamaha a-s701(sub 1000$) would be helpful. Well done to Denon for putting out an amplifier with a warm / laid back sound. Because out there, most speakers are from a little to very bright (in the pursuit of "purity")..... That is why the denon who is warm/laid back can be combined with most speakers out there and make a neutral or relaxing sound! Remember there are many many listeners out there than can not tolerate the new "modern" bright sounding amps.Some say(not me because i never heard a denon) that old denon was more warm.Also some reviewers say that cambridge amp are so "small"compare to denon amps. Love pluralism.For me PMA 800 ne is the sweet spot and compare with cambridge,yamaha,rotel.

[@apvalenti]

Hearing Kristi's take at the end of every interview is like having ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top of my pie! It makes the review special.

[@astrotrance]

This is definitely a cool looking piece. I love the one tiny little accent of the words "High Current" in the fancy font. Makes it look a little bit 80s/90s retro.

[@dodpr]

The brain is a powerful thing. I was completely happy with my AXA35 and Klipsch RP-600M. This morning it sounded a little dull and boring. Amazing! 😂.

[@simonhenstock6244]

You may want to consider adding the NAD C316BEE v2 to your list of budget integrated amplifiers to review. The C316BEE has been on the market for 12 years and people are still buying it. NAD also have a couple of turntables on the market. They're built from Pro-Ject parts to NAD specifications and have a lot of classy features that Pro-Ject themselves have overlooked in their own designs. I personally own and use the C558 turntable and the C316BEE v2 (in tandem with a Cambridge Alva Solo phono stage and an AXC25 CD player) and I'm a happy camper.

[@robertocastro4403]

Good review as always Andrew! Kristi's opinion is always a must to hear, I guess because she is less analytical and perhaps represents better the impressions of a more regular consumer, but with a lovely voice...

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thank you for watching to the end! Kristi’s input is invaluable!

[@ritrambo]

Bought a denon avr-x2500h 2 yrs ago which is the only denon product I own. Before this I have had pioneer receivers (10yrs old, that I still use). Cant say much about integrated but the denon receiver has served me well thus far. Use it in a 2-channel audio/ video setup driving kipsch rp-6000f. This setup sounds very good, room filling sound. Not sure how this would compare to a more forward receiver/ amplifier as Klipsch have been notorious for being a little harsh (although I dont feel that way). At the end of the day, I believe it is subjective and the best way would be to audition yourself. BTW.. I didn't know you guys were in Texas, not sure if you will be going to the Austin record convention this year. For who don't know, general admission is free this year.

[@richardt3371]

Hi Andrew, I have the model up from this - the PMA-800NE in silver - and it is an awesome beast, and current pricing means it comes out about £400. Which, really, is an absolute steal. It doesn't have bluetooth (thank god) As the 600NE is a budget, entry-level integrated amp, I do have to take issue with your "comparable products" section - I don't think it's fair/reasonable to compare the performance of an $800 amp with a $449 amp... That's not a stretch to the budget, that's a whole different pricing point.

[@kranage]

I have the 800 too and love it. I'm very jealous you got it in silver.

[@a.9792]

Your review is excellent; my thoughts matched up with yours when I gave this unit a trial period. When using a reference track, ( The Man's too Strong) the swells didn't have that lunch they would on my other vintage unit. ( HK 560 ). It's nice to see these findings in words...

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Glad you found the review helpful.

[@rmvp2009]

Just to say that I have for almost 1 year the Denon PMA-600NE paired with 2 Polk Speakers T50, Rega Planar 1 and Denon DCD-600NE has CD player. Couldn't agree more with the review, including the drawbacks. The main reason I didnt get the Cambridge AX35 was the grey aesthetics - yes I know...

[@fredericbrunet3155]

Totally agree with you! The lunar gray from CA isn't for me!

[@bbmousedoowop]

Back in my early audio days, I started out with Denon receivers but over time I found them to be too warm (actually more like too mushy) to my liking and I switched over to Yamaha which I found to be crisper and cleaner. Currently, I'm running a Yamaha RXV6A and an AT LP7 with an Ortofon Blue through a Schiit preamp. On the pure direct setting, it's pretty bright, especially female voices, but to be fair, the cart has not yet broken in. Detail is incredibly precise and the soundstage is solidly between the speakers with excellent seperation. I still have one of the ancient Denons in a closet and I'm almost tempted to give it a try...naw...my wife would not like that... Weather in Boston north is low 70s, breezy off the ocean and slightly overcast. A nice review.

[@joshuasterling2144]

Denon left a bad taste in my mouth after one of their AV receivers I bought left me after two years of occasional use as a tertiary system I had in my bedroom. My Yamaha on the other hand has been on for almost 15 years strait....lol

[@richardque4952]

I brought one denon 600ne.my reaction its not bad at all.

[@ChillToMusic87]

Bought.

[@sapphiro]

I have upgraded to this one from earlier All-in-one Denon M39 DAB stereo. It's fantastic integrated amp within my maximum budget range. Good digital input options. I miss the lack of digital volume and input display screen but I can take the hit if this made for less costly solution and less interference with audio signal on the electronic circuits.

[@jungtarcph]

Respectfully, you came from All in one stereo CD player / dac / amp / tuner / speakers for 500 usd... so any "real" integrated amp would be an update :)

[@sapphiro]

@@jungtarcph True, but seems like Denon retained with this amp this nice warm and relaxing yet detailed sound signature. I can listen at decent volume for hours without fatigue. I believe I wouldn't like some of the other amps that have too clinical sound.

[@andreassouth1523]

I like laid back sound so i like denon pma-600.I don't like bright sounding amps.

[@carlespy7470]

Andrew - I bought a PMA 600NE based largely on Steve Guttengerg's impressions of it. Now, after living with it for a month, I am in agreement with your reaction to it. I am disappointed with its lack of a more definitive sound stage and impact (even with efficient speakers). I suppose I will sell it and look elsewhere. Thanks for a clear review. Thanks to Christy, too. I appreciated her impressions.

[@malleyland7082]

Well I've just bought one and it's the inputs that swayed me. No other amp I've seen has two optical and a coaxial.

[@gabejones8930]

I got the pma 6 like it n done tone of research mostly very positive. Probably not on great for a guy who already had much better .that being said love your reviews honesty is important especially when it's dollars.

[@donalddeorio2237]

Props to you Andrew, today things are tight financially for Many of us after Covid. Denon was always a good go to for quality sound at a good price.

[@Panslapper]

Fully agree with the bass on Denon stuff. I added a Topping e30 dac to even a Denon DM 41 and it made a big difference , in fact it really cleaned the Denon up, gave it some extra detail tightened the bass and brought a better over all balance to the sound.The Topping E30 could be a good choice for most Denon amps imo.

[@rft2001]

I'm not trying to negative but I had the Topping E30 and sold it. I hated the sound - harsh, flat and clinical. Lacked any sense of warmth and depth. The guy that I sold it to found out that he didn't like it either. You can find a lot better dac's than the Topping dacs, at least in my opinion. They are made to spec well but there are a lot that have better sound quality, in my opinion. Of course, maybe it is just a matter of preference or maybe your system fits the E30 better than mine.

[@Panslapper]

@@rft2001 Actually I don’t disagree with you, for one my ears are very inexperienced where Dacs are concerned. As an update to my comment I found I grew away from the E30 sound. Apart from what you have remarked upon I also found the vocals to sound ‘small’ and after a while began to explore Amazon and various other outlets for an alternative to the E30. My budget is the problem, it’s very limited but regardless to say I did eventually replace the E30 with Toppings E50 which does provide a more full sound. I really am not easy to push over that price range and so unless you know of another dac that is accessible here in the UK that can better the E50 then I am happy enough to stick with this one from Topping. I also tried the E30 mk2 but it really was not a strong enough upgrade from the first version so I returned it. The Schitt Modi is hard to get hold of here in the UK so that’s out of the question but the Geshelli J2 can be an option or at least I think so…

[@andreasmoller9798]

I tried the 2500 and i think most people would been impressed by that amp considering its power rating, its a beast and its fun to listen to

[@gordoa172]

Great review as always Andrew and Kristi! I love that you hear the great combination of the Denon and the Arylic S50 Pro! I am trying to tell people that is a great combo 🤘! Add the Kef Q350 if you want to party on the patio or the Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 if it's a rainy afternoon of listening and music and chill is on the menu. We just got a full week of it as well in Fort Worth! Keep Trailblazing my friends!

[@KristiWright]

Thanks for hanging out with us today! I would love to know what those KEF speakers sound like. But man that company is hard to get product from.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

I would vouch for the combo any day of the week as it is really good. I didn't make a big enough deal out of this point in the review, but I would advocate for those interested in the PMA 600NE to get it over the 800NE in order to leave room in the budget for an S50Pro from Arylic. Just got some new KEFs in house and am eager to see how they sound. Have a great rest of your weekend!

[@gordoa172]

@Kristi....I am lucky and privileged enough to have Randy The Cheap Audio Man close by and he let me test them out in my set up. The Kef Q350 are amazing! They are a budget audiophiles dream. It's a taste of how the "other" side listens. Lmao

[@Pilot597]

Denon and Klipsch is what I have in my setup and I think it’s a match made in heaven.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

They do play off one another nicely. What Klipsch products do you own?

[@Pilot597]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews I have two RP-4000F’s with an RP-400C, two R-41SA which I placed as front height to serve Atmos duties (I prefer that over up-firing) an RS8W sub and two satellites I kept from a theater pack they sell. Coming soon to the mix are RP-502S to replace the surrounds, an SVS micro sub you reviewed recently and the Denon AVR would be replaced by Emotiva XMC2 processor and Emotiva XPA-9 Gen 3 amp.

[@jonathanreich6360]

I use Denon for home theater and think it's fine for that. As to preference, I would differ with your thoughts about essentially, cognitive dissonance, when the results aren't the expectation and you rationalize the difference. I do think people all hear (or think they hear) things differently than each other. When I heard ribbon speakers for the first time, they immediately entranced me and I've stayed with ribbon and planar speakers. I think you either hear it or you don't. Probably same is true for amplifiers and especially true since you have your reference speakers and you have heard enough to know what the speakers sound like when they are really matched up well with an amplification source. The Denon might sound much better with different speakers or, as you say, just for easy, uncritical listening which is good enough for a lot of people. I actually like the Cambridge Audio CXA81 sound paired with some Quad S1 speakers in a smallish room. The sounds of instruments and vocals seem very realistic to me and I am a former musician so I have the belief that I know what I'm talking about there. But I don't really care about big bass or care for metal music or EDM. Just a personal preference thing. Anyway, appreciate your and your wife's honesty in these reviews.

[@Holychickendestroyer]

I like the look of them. I can’t comment on sound but you mak a very persuasive argument to get this amp as a secondary system.

[@Xanadu1510AE]

Andrew.... Do us a favour mate... bring in a PMA 1500 and above series amp and then I’d love to hear Kristi’s take on Denon! I agree with you it’s when you step up to the higher models that the real DENON sound comes alive! These are true sleepers.... I have a PMA 1510 AE that rocks a pair of POLK LSIM 707 towers! Truly high current amps and conservatively rated at 70 into 8 ohms! What’s impressive is the doubling of power 140 @ 4 ohms! I’ve rarely dialled above the 9 O’clock position.... everything comes to play .... soundstage.... details.... good tight bass.... simply very pleasing sound and a wonderful experience! I couldn’t applaud DENON more.... and yes the build quality is way past other JAPANESE amps at the same price point! No kidding.... well machined and tank like built! Absolutely nothing to crib about in my honest opinion.... infact I traded in my brand new YAMAHA A S801 which has a huge fan following for a second hand DENON!!! Hope I’ve said enough 😉 Cheers and keep up the good work!🍻🍻 Regards to the both of you from India!

[@laika25]

With all the equipment you test it's only puzzling how you manage to keep your apt so tidy. 👍🏼😉

[@ausmartin1]

Added a Sony ubx700 Ultra BluRay player that plays SACD and via the Digital Coaxial 75 ohm output set at 24bit192Khz PCM stereo the PMA600NE absolutely then comes to life and shines - also have "Source Direct" off. The Sony does DSD multi 2.8MHz at 1 bit on SACD's output 24bit 192Khz vs optical Tos links 96Khz.... but the difference is night and day. Plus the effect works for CD's All video content including Apps. Really happy with my setup that includes budget JVC A130's and PSB subwoofer & way better than the Hifi stores setup when I made initial decision. 🤗😎Denon.

[@TheMack]

This was a highly PLEASING review =) This Denon is old school nostalgia, bringing me back to the 90's and the Sony and Technics amps of those times. I appreciate these reviews with "normal" consumer electronics, it puts things into perspective in a good way. I also like the fact that you reference music albums and how they sound through the system. It makes the information much more approachable and recognizable for us who now that particular music. If I could suggest anything, it would be to include even more albums over broader genres. Great review!

[@sandylman8219]

Bought one of these this week and must say I too find it pleasing. I have no complaints (have yet to try Bluetooth)

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

So glad you’re enjoying it!

[@cschruu]

I just bought a Cambridge Audio AXR100D (EU Version with DAB Radio) and I am so glad I did. After no retailer in my region had either the Denon PMA-600NE and PMA-800NE on offer or for audition (also no scimilar products from NAD or Marantz), I was able to hear both the Cambridge AXA35 vs. the CXA81. I really liked that Cambridge Sound, coming from my sadly broken 1992 Denon PMA-680R which was much more undefined and imprecise. I would’ve bought the CXA 61 (because I couldn’t quite stretch the 81, but the dealer told me they sounded quite scimilar) and settled for the AXR100D as some sort of in between. After hearing your thoughts on the Denon vs. the Amp i bought (almost), I have 0 regrets not having listened to the Denon

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

So glad to hear you've found a product that works for you. The AXR100 has proven to be rather shocking performance-wise to both Kristi and I and we can't wait to bring you that review soon!

[@elmenomaronido6653]

i own the 600 ne and match with my Klipsch Rp600m and for my ears they sound perfect !

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

That’s awesome!

[@sk8isgr8]

i do hope so, i have rp500m and waiting for the denon to be shipped

[@marksilgalis9400]

I really like what you had to say about access to gear. I live in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, I certainly should have access to a great variety of gear to go listen to at dealers. Yet I never do (pandemic notwithstanding). I rely on reviewers like yourself to get me 90% of the way there. Your experience and my watching of your reviews whether I'm interested in the gear or not gives me a very good baseline to go from. If I don't like something, I'll return it. Unfortunately, the one thing that I can't bring to an audio dealer is... my room. So far, so good. Yours isn't the only channel I watch but as with yours, I've tried to watch everything on those channels as well. This gives me an idea of how to gauge a review relative to your other reviews. At this point, I can pretty much guess how you will rate a piece of gear in comparison to other reviewers. More important, I'll know if I'm going to enjoy it.

[@robertnelson3179]

Loved the stories myself. Listen to records and cassette years when I was deployed to Japan bought my first CD player nothing hifi but loved the ease of use of Cd but recently going to records now old 80’s classic like me.

[@cristim9779]

I really appreciate this trend of reviewing budget audio gear. I'm waiting as well for the reviews that you've mentioned. I also would like to have your opinion on Yamaha N-R202D and 303D. I only like components that are warmer so for me Denon is something i'll have to look at and you've made my decision easier because i can now exclude the Cambridge amps.

[@dr.anthonyforgione4253]

Yamaha is rarely/virtually never warm. Usually somewhat the opposite.

[@russfelger]

There's a trend with 2.1 amps and receivers that I have noticed of late, including the HK3770 from Harmon Kardon. When there is a sub out connection, you had better use it to get full frequency response. The left and right do seem to cut the low "meat and potatoes" that you get in a 2.1. When comparing to a true 2.0, the low frequency does go deeper and fuller. It's not just Denon, it's many of the audio manufacturers, and it should be stated upfront that a sub is required in a 2.1 model.

[@rickb7378]

I really enjoyed this review, not so much because of the Denon, but because of other issues raised during the review. First of all, Kristie, you like what you like and that's really all there is to it. I know that's rather simplistic, but nobody should feel that they have to defend what they enjoy. As was discussed, having access to so many different pieces of equipment allows you to get a better feel for what it is that you enjoy. Stating the obvious, everyone is different. We hear things differently, we assess things differently and that makes things more interesting. But I like this review, and more specifically this channel because you give honest reviews without denigrating other people's taste in gear, and you don't come off as gear snobs that will only review the high-end stuff. I would love to see you review one of the affordable Yamaha A-S#01 integrated amps, because there aren't a lot of reviews available. Yamaha is sort of looked down on by "serious" Audiophiles, but I think they make solid gear, if you like the sound that they produce. Thanks for keeping things honest and accessible.

[@jhiss100]

Great conversation, as always. I don't think I have any experience with Denon products. If I were in the market for an amp, would definitely give this long consideration for the price point.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thanks so much for joining us this morning !

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Where I have always been a fan of Denon integrated amplifiers, I haven't had great luck with their receivers. I think it must be me because certainly the amplifier sections of either are cooked in the same kitchen. To me- somehow, the receivers sound soft in the way you describe , and also thin. I will say that the PMA 2000r was a power house and handled my B & W speakers with excellent control. Anyhow, I think Denon offers a lot of options in its product lines and generally offers great value in what they offer. Thanks for the review.

[@olegknowsbest4971]

maybe the pairing with the B&W is not the best ones. I had B&W before and those didn't sound too good. Mordaunt-Short sounds excellent on my AVR-1910.

[@andreaszetterqvist4272]

I've had this and to me it's just amazing for it's price. It even sound amazing with KEF LS50👌

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

That’s AWESOME! So glad it’s working for you!

[@jonuiuc]

Is funny, in college I lived with a Denon stereo receiver (not yet AVR) for a few years, then a Yamaha desktop receiver (still have it, lovely mosfet sound not a lot of power), then had an Integra AVR (for the big TV system) for maybe 8 years, a Marantz AVR (new TV needed HDMI) for 10 years, and just recently got a Yamaha (upgraded HT setup) to replace it. I can say every time I changed systems I definitely noticed changes in the the sounds (mostly had the same speakers). Don't know if its "house sound" or just the individual models I got, but they all had different character that was noticable. Matters on what you like. So far my 20ish year old yamaha natural sound desktop reciever with relatively low power still sound the best for music, though its got nowhere near the power, bass control, and bells and whistles (old dac just for CD player, no digital ins, etc.) of the rest. But paired with original old cheap small bookshelves its sound is so nice. The big system for my TV with a Yamaha RX-A1080 and Model 5's are more dynamic, dig lower, have more resolution, but just don't have that warm loveliness that old desktop can provide (it sounds bigger tho). Its all taste, the old marantz I had was a 1401 or something, did a fine job was far as an AVR with ease of use, smooth sound, but never had the power the old Onkyo AVR did and while forgiving, it didn't have the warm magic in the midrange that the old yamaha did. The old stereo denon had more power bass and played louder than the old yamaha, but also just wasn't as pleasing to me. The new yamaha sounds great (its much higher relative in its line than my old stuff) and does everything better than anything I've had before, but use wise is a little less fine tunable vs the old marantz while also being a way more fidgety. The only thing the new yamaha can't beat is the old yamaha's magic midrange. Every piece is different, and works differently for the setup you use it in. Impressions are good to have via reviews, but you never know until you hear it for yourself, and even though you don't really know till you've lived with it for awhile and had experiences to compare it to.

[@dennistomsen5822]

Budget sure 👌 Now review even more budget friendly amplifiers like the SMSL DA9 😁 It might surprise you 😉

[@sapphiro]

Those Chinese brands flood the market with new models every 6 months and none of them are polished products. On the first look they may seem a good value for money but you quickly find out where the "corners were cut". Usually software is a buggy mess and products have some random hardware design flaws that can damage your equipment or cause fire safety hazards or shorten the product's lifespan. Using slighy thinner wires than required, toxic paints and plastics, overheating problems you name it. They don't properly certify safety of their products. When your Chinese brand amp runs hot constantly in your room you have no idea what toxic fumes your breathing in that over time will affect your health or risk fire damage to your house. Not to mention their sound engineers tune all the equipment to the same specification for their market to emphasise specifically chinese pop female vocals.

[@thomasalexand]

I've watched a good few of your amp reviews. Those you praise may well be far better sounding than inexpensive models eg, Denon, but more expensive amps have one thing in common, and that is their specifications. Try looking for a reasonably priced amp that has a subwoofer out (as my partner doesn't like stands, my speakers are on wall brackets so bass suffers) tone controls and Bluetooth APTX. Amps that have these specs are also streamers - I'm not interested in streaming. As I said, finding one is difficult. And if like me, you travel down that road, all I ca say is, best of luck.

[@thomasalexand]

Ps...the Audiolab 6000A Play amp is one I would consider. Unfortunately there is no sub-out. I've dismissed Cambridge amps as I'm wary of their cooling fans and I'm not alone in my reservations. I thoroughly enjoy you reviews. Alex, from the UK.

[@tbonet859]

​@thomasalexand I also have the Cambridge AXR100, in one of my systems: for several years, now. During regular use ( after work, weekends..etc): never had a problem with fan. Zero noise. Amp never shuts off due to thermal problems. In the early spring: I simultaneously dislocated my shoulder and injured my neck. So I was home watching movies and listening to music: through the AXR100, at least 8 - 10 hours a day, for 3+ weeks. Never had a problem with the fan or amp shut down, whatsoever. So whatever problem there was, has been resolved....several years ago.