Denon PMA-2500NE & DCD1600NE review

gibbsy

You should be able to tease the bungs out with a paper clip if they have a small hole in them. My missus was able to pull those plugs out using her finger nails on my Denon X6200.

Numpty112233

I have done that on other amps and speaker connections, however I've got myself spades for this based on what I read - and I hate them. They're either tight tight to the point of not easy to undo or they're too loose to the point of falling out, no build up of pressure as with bare wire or slot home as with bananas.

Clive D

Hi Numpty (that should be my name!)

I bought it used when a thread was raised on pfm. I was using it until a couple of weeks ago with Kef RDM3s but sold them and am now using Kralk TDB6s. I’d had the Kefs for 20 years but they were a bit big for my room. The Kralks are excellent, I’ve set them up properly today and am amazed at the brilliant tone and particularly bass they provide.

My other kit is an Auralic Aries Mini streamer and Sony XA333ES CD player. The result of using these with the Denon are way beyond what they should be: lifelike reproduction with a sweet very musical presentation.

When the Denon amp was demoed to me the seller also had a (different) Sony CD player and a Thorens record deck, I can’t remember the model number. He was using hand made speakers and I was blown away by the quality. The amp cost me approximately half the new price, it was like new and to my mind and wallet a bargain.

I have a keeper. And I don’t mean one with big gloves either!

DIBSTER

Well I've gone all in on the 1600 range now. After buying myself a 2nd hand PMA1600 a month ago and being blown away by it, I took the plunge and have invested in the matching DCD1600 as well.
I got a very good p/x deal from Hi-Fi Corner on my Pioneer CDP and am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the DCD1600 next week hopefully.

Numpty112233

Enjoy Sir,
The more I'm listening to mine the more it produces pleasure
I wish I was on commission from said shop lol

gibbsy

My DCD 2500 should be with me next Tuesday, which suits me as we are back and fore to the vets with our dog all day Monday. Didn't go for the part exchange option on the Marantz so once the 2500 is in place I'll stick the Marantz in the classifieds.

Numpty112233

Clearly this year Christmas is 2 months early
Instead of "Thank you" letters one must write a comparison report on this thread ;-)
I'm genuinely interested to ken what you both make of them

Numpty112233

New toy day?
More i importantly hoping the dog is okay

gibbsy

The big beast has arrived, even the courier couldn't believe it was a CD player because of the weight. Left it for several hours to warm up to room temperature, must be cold in Scotland. Now I'm running some SACDs and I'll have a listen when the wife is watching Holby City.

That drawer is a piece of engineering in itself but I'm not impressed with the top of the unit, especially after having the Marantz on top of the cabinet. I'll give my opinions in a few days as to how it compares to the Marantz sa8005 which has now gone back into the main system.

So here is the set up at the moment, Denon 2500 to a Lehmann Linear headphone amp and to various headphones including Oppo PM1 and Shure 1540s. Marantz is now connected to the Rega Elicit-R. The Denon will remain with the Lehmann for a good while as, at the moment, that's 80% of my listening.

gibbsy

I was typing as you posted. Yes dog is doing fine, just came back from the vet's as we had to take some of her food in. Didn't go in to see her and hopefully she'll be home tomorrow. Operation has been a great success. Thanks for your concern.