Denon PMA-2500NE & DCD1600NE review

Numpty112233

Mine is connected to the Denon PMA-2500NE amp and so assume, rightly or wrongly, these are designed to be compatible

gibbsy

There are bench test results in this review. Think output voltage of 2 volts is mentioned. I find no difference with the Lehmann amp over the Marantz 8005 when connected directly to it.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Denon DCD-2500NE SACD Player Review & Test                                                                                                        Buy one now… while you still can!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                www.avhub.com.au

SickSquirrel

You may on your Rega, both our amps have relatively high sensitivity on the inputs, mine more so with 130mV.  With the 2.3v output of the player there could be some clipping when pushed...

I need to do more tests...

gibbsy

The only clipping likely to happen is around my ears if I turn the volume up. The boss just doesn't do loud music. Still got the Denon running with the Lehmann and it's still keeping me up at night.

HenryHonda

Most certainly!

I found that I could only wind my Elex-R up to about 9 o'clock to get high volumes - but the overall sound quality was far too harsh - and rotating the volume control resulted in jumps in volume (the sensitivity was unusable).  So, I purchased a pair of Rothwell 15dB attenuators and they immediately did the trick.

I discussed this with my Rega dealer, and he intimated that this was not uncommon with Rega and Naim equipment.  Rega's spec suggests that the line inputs can easily take that sort of voltage but, that results in unacceptable distortion and lack of control.  My Neat speakers are relatively efficient, and that probably doesn't help.

Now, many have raised eyebrows at using attenuators but, as far as I'm concerned, the sound quality is fantastic and wonderfully detailed and fluid.  Certainly no perceived drop in sound quality in my opinion.

I now use my amp with the volume control around 12 o'clock, and have excellent continuous control of the volume.  No background hiss, silence is inky black.  Make sure you put the attenuators at the amp end of the cable.

(because my rack is so close to the wall, I have also had to purchase a pair of gold plated Audioquest right-angle RCA adaptors - not ideal, but they do the job)

HTH

SickSquirrel

Thanks Henry  

Numpty112233

Wow! Just wow! Just wow!
I ken it's midnight on a Saturday night but I don't care
Never realised quite how big an impact room acoustics make.
Just moved the Denon / MA Gold 300 system into the new garage conversion and what I had thought was an excellent sound in the previous room has been totally transformed for the better - not just up the league but different league. I could have thrown £30 grand  at equipment in the other room and not got near what I have now. It's blown me socks off! Never heard anything like it

SickSquirrel

IMHO speaker and room synergy is the most important part of any hifi, get that wrong and you will never have a high fidelity system no matter how much you spend on it.

Anyway, enjoy your new room  

Numpty112233

I've gone from thinking I have a great sounding system to knowing I have a great sounding system. I knew the temporary room acoustics weren't good (6m x 6m square shape, vaulted ceiling, lots of glass, slate floor ((with rug)), indoor pond with waterfall) and built the new room (garage conversion) specifically to get decent acoustics (5,5m x 4.6m reduced to 4m with built in cupboards x 2.4m, no glass, carpet with thick underlay etc.speakers well away from side and rear walls and fully symmetrical within the room in ideal position) and the result is utterly transformational. Far greater than the overall difference between my Denon and Cambridge systems. Won't have the 7.1.4 AV set up for a few days cos I'm waiting for delivery of an HDMI cable but it's looking good. The PMA-2500NE will be used as HT bypass to the Gold 300 front speakers

gibbsy

Bloody hell. No wonder it didn't sound so good.