Integrated Amplifiers

Denon updates its AV receivers at the drop of a hat, but its stereo amplifiers typically enjoy a far longer shelf-life. Side-stepping its 110th anniversary PMA-A110 model [HFN Dec ’20] for a moment, the brand’s previous flagship, the PMA-2500NE [HFN Aug ’16], illustrates this longevity. Nonetheless, there’s a direct line between the PMA-A110 and the £2999 PMA-3000NE tested here, as numerous hardware tweaks devised for that limited edition model underpin Denon’s new stereo integrated.

There’s also an iterative feel to the PMA-3000NE. Perhaps that’s not a surprise, as it’s the tenth generation of Denon’s top-tier integrated amplifier, so, arguably, ‘I’ve seen this before’ is a reasonable reaction. It follows the tried-and-tested industrial design for a Denon PMA flagship, with a huge volume rotary in the centre of a gently curved fascia, the latter’s broad chamfers and fine machining all showcasing the craftsmanship of the company’s Shirakawa plant.

But seriously...

That hefty volume control is so attention-grabbing that you might take a moment to realise there’s also a display to the right of it, albeit small and offering the bare minimum of information. An input selector appears next to this as a junior sibling to the volume knob, while tone and balance controls on the other side strengthen the traditionalist feel. Whether in brushed silver or black, the PMA-3000NE strikes a very sober aesthetic, although there’s no denying the sheer quality of the exterior, clearly signalling ‘I’m a serious amp’.

A Class A/B ‘UHC-MOS Single Push-Pull (power amplifier) Circuit’ [with an unusual twist – [see boxout], gives this Denon amp its claimed 2x80W into 8ohm output. However, like its predecessor, the PMA-3000NE is far more powerful than these specifications might suggest; the surprise being that the otherwise very on-message Denon marketing department doesn’t blast out the real power ratings.

The PMA-3000NE possesses a generous assortment of digital and analogue connections, although two now-common options are missing – HDMI ARC and network streaming. This reinforces the purist ambitions of an amplifier thrust into a market full of ‘all-in-one’ solutions. On the other hand, there is a phono stage input that will handle both MM and MC pick-ups.

Above: Denon employs two PSU transformers [centre] mounted to achieve some ‘mutual flux cancellation’ while the PMA-3000NE’s output stage utilises just a single pair of MOSFETs on internal heatsinks [left & right]

Considering Denon has been building moving-coil cartridges for decades, that’s to be expected. Moreover, the design brief states Denon has put extra effort into this phono stage, employing higher-grade components while isolating the circuit from both electromagnetic and PSU-borne interference. Also noteworthy, there’s a matching DCD-3000NE SACD/CD player (£2199) for people who prefer small silver discs over vinyl ones.

While the PMA-3000NE eschews streaming, there’s obviously still a DAC on board. This might not be to the liking of the strictest of ‘hi-fi separatists’, who would prefer to move all things digital to an external device like Denon’s DNP-2000NE [HFN Dec ’23] or one of the many other streaming DACs out there. However, catering to this section of the audio community are the PMA-3000NE’s two ‘Analog’ modes. Accessed via a button on the front panel or the supplied remote control, both shut down the amp’s digital circuitry, with Mode 2 also turning off the display.

One, two, three, four...

The DAC stage is one of the main upgrades of the PMA-3000NE, going from a single, stereo chip solution (in the PMA-2500NE) to a pair per channel and in differential mode here. The PMA-A110 used a similar architecture, but the PMA-3000NE switches from Denon’s beloved Burr-Brown/Texas Instruments PCM1795 DAC chips to no fewer than four ES9018K2Ms from ESS.

One niggle I’ve had with previous Denon amplifiers is that the (mechanical) volume control operated quite coarsely, making it difficult to set listening levels just right. That’s been remedied in the PMA-3000NE, which has moved over to a higher-quality electronic, variable gain volume/tone control offering claimed improvements in both S/N and level resolution.

Also, this ostensibly shortens the internal signal path, mirroring similar efforts elsewhere in the circuit design. There’s a lot of this under-the-hood fine-tuning going on, as the list of refinements great and small is quite extensive – including tweaks such as using fewer screws(!), a thicker main PCB and a new XMOS interface for the USB-B input.

Live and kicking
Denon hardware often manages to deliver precision without straying into over-analytical terrain, and feeling controlled without dampening the life out of things. It’s a balancing act the PMA-3000NE amp excels with, ensuring the live version of Fink’s ‘Trouble’s What You’re In’ [Wheels Turn Beneath My Feet; Ninja Tunes ZENCD189] felt very authentic via my set of DALI Rubicon 2 standmounts and output, over analogue cables, from a WiiM Ultra ‘digital preamp’.

Hearing Fink’s voice and the twang of his acoustic guitar carrying through the space of Islington’s Union Chapel added to the sense of realism. And while this solemn song has very little low-end content, the album opener ‘Biscuits’ proved the PMA-3000NE’s bass presence and control as it portrayed the nimble playing and dynamics of the drum kit. It’s a more ‘direct’ presentation than the laidback approach of – say – Marantz’s Model 60n integrated [HFN Dec ’24].

Digital heart

Connecting an Eversolo DMP-A8 [HFN May ’24] to the USB-B input meant the Denon amp’s proprietary digital stage was taking care of the conversion to analogue, and this was a good choice when playing Årabrot’s Of Darkness And Light [Pelagic Records PEL 238; 48kHz/24-bit]. The dense tunes of these Norwegian noise merchants are reminiscent of grunge/sludge pioneers The Melvins and not exactly typical audiophile fare. Yet the PMA-3000NE comfortably drove along the guitar-heavy ‘We Want Blood’, before offering ample space for the rich vocals and more delicate instrumentation of ‘Love Under Will’.

Above: Two line, one tape in/out and MM/MC phono ins are joined by a preamp input and digital ins across S/PDIF (three optical, one coax) and asynchronous USB. Wired control is included and pairs of chunky 4mm speaker sockets assist bi-wiring

Revisiting the album through the DAC stage of the WiiM Ultra found the digital heart of Denon’s amp sounding more rhythmically secure, and with greater clarity and resolution. This confirmed my impression that the PMA-3000NE’s DAC hasn’t been designed to just be ‘good enough’, but aims higher. I can’t imagine owners being in a rush to upgrade to an outboard solution, which can be the case with ‘middle class’ integrated amplifiers.

Diamond Géza

Complementing the digital talents of the PMA-3000NE is a rather fine MM/MC stage. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 21, from Deutsche Grammophon’s La Grande Music box set [DG 286 40 91 U], brimmed with fine detail when played from a Pro-Ject X2 B with MC9 cartridge [HFN Sep ’22 & Jul ’24]. Considering the disc is 40 years old (a fortuitous discovery in a charity shop) and the recording 60, it was a breathtaking performance. The quiet background offered by Denon’s phono preamp guaranteed my attention was on the virtuoso playing of Hungarian pianist Géza Anda, and the clean, clear high notes absent of harshness or glare.

As for the amp’s ‘Analog’ modes, I couldn’t detect large differences between the two options or leaving the digital stage ‘online’. Maybe more revealing loudspeakers would better expose their impact, which on this showing felt like very slight changes in treble detail.

Above: Denon’s RC-1207 system remote offers a full suite of CD transport controls alongside input select, volume, mute, display adjust and analogue modes for the ’3000NE

The lack of an HDMI input makes adding this amp to a TV system more challenging, but there is an ‘auto-sense’ option you can assign to one of its S/PDIF inputs. Put to work this way, Denon’s amp made viewing the recent Music By John Williams documentary [Disney+] a lot more engaging. From excerpts of his early work for Steven Spielberg featuring Toots Tielemans, to his Star Wars themes and the creation of his Academy Award-winning music for Schindler’s List, the PMA-3000NE superbly communicated both nuance and vigour.

Ready for battle

Williams also penned the score for Spielberg’s Lincoln [Sony Classical 88725446852], here streamed through the Eversolo DMP-A8 and with SVS’s Ultra Evolution Pinnacle loudspeakers [HFN Jul ’24] called into action. Moving from compact standmounts to these big floorstanders (each equipped with four bass drivers) didn’t appear to trouble this Denon amp...

Now, while I would have liked a more spacious presentation of ‘With Malice Towards None’, there was no faulting the smoothness of the strings and the sense of gravitas. Communicating the dynamics and energy of ‘The Call To Muster’ and ‘Battle Cry Of Freedom’ was more the PMA-3000NE’s terrain though, featuring military drums and huge choirs. If it’s excitement you are looking for, this powerful integrated knows how to deal it out!

Hi-Fi News Verdict

If someone slapped an upmarket name on the PMA-3000NE and changed nothing else, it would surely sell for a much higher price. That’s testament to the quality radiated by this Denon flagship, unspoilt by frivolous functionality. Renewal under the hood, notably the superb digital section and volume control, make the PMA-3000NE a sensible and powerful performer capable of delivering thrills without the spills.

Sound Quality: 88%