Denon PMA-1700NE Integrated Amplifier (140W x 2), Built-in USB-DAC & Phono Equalizer, Analog Mode, Ultra-High Current Power Circuit, Advanced AL32 Processing Plus, Hi-Res Audio, Silver

The PMA-1700ne is an end-game, heirloom, integrated amplifier for me. I paired this integrated with a Denon DCD-900ne CD player using Toslink out, a vintage, 45-year-old Denon DP-1200 turntable with Denon DL-103 MC cartridge, a WiiM Pro using coax out, and rounding out the system are the outstanding HECO (hay-co) Aurora 700 tower speakers. This is an incredible system. And the PMA-1700ne is the heart of it all. The PMA-1700ne is so well-built!The looks of this integrated amplifier are on a whole other level of sexiness. The lines on the solid aluminum front panel, the knobs, the OLED display, all make this a true beauty that you won't get tired of looking at.The PMA-1700ne's phono stage is second to none, dead quiet. But the bulk of my listening is using the CD player and the WiiM Pro. As such, the PCM1795 DAC is VERY important in this day and age, and its implementation is superb...it leaves one wanting for not. The analog section is second to none in my opinion. It sounds like what a vintage stereo should sound like with modern dependability. Separation, bass, and treble are tight and controlled, with a large, room-filling, spacious sound that is what I have been searching for!The PMA-1700ne is one beast of an integrated amplifier, to say the least. The weight of 38.8 lbs of the unit tells one that this is a serious piece of equipment that Denon built right. Built in Denon's own factory and not outsourced. The PMA-1700ne is made in the same factory as the PMA-A110 anniversary model. The volume knob feel on this monster is so fricken silky smooth and responsive. I'd rather get out of my chair to adjust the volume than use the remote, it is that nice. The MASSIVE volume knob is made out of solid aluminum, as is the smaller, selector knob, with the balance, bass, and treble knobs also being aluminum. Picking the unit up feels like picking up a small car, the build quality is substantial.Low volume, high volume, it makes no difference to this amp. The sound quality is simply phenomenal! The power at 70 watts/ch is surely a conservative rating as the PMA-1700ne has yet to even come close to breaking a sweat with my usage, even when I get a bit rambunctious at times (much to the dismay of the wife! Hahaha). The sound is as clear as crystal throughout the power range and in my case the only limiting factor is the speakers themselves. The buttery smooth and dare I say, perfect, sound, even when the volume is turned up loud AF, is jaw-droppingly clean and clear.At half of the anniversary flagship PMA-A110 cost, the PMA-1700ne is still a pricey investment (for me anyway). There are features I would like that the PMA-1700ne doesn't have, like, volume knob marking so I can see across the room what position it is at, but that is being nit-picky. The build quality, the sound signature, and the fact that, for me anyway, this is an heirloom piece that will be handed down after I'm gone, does justify the higher price of admission, but if you are patient, these can be found easily enough for a great price. I feel my PMA-1700ne is a worthy investment that with a semi-reasonable amount of care, should last as my 45-year-old turntable has through the years. The 3-year factory warranty (when bought from an authorized seller as Amazon is) is great for peace of mind as well.I can honestly, and without hesitation, recommend this integrated amplifier to anyone serious about musical sound quality.

The media could not be loaded. Updated: moving from 1 to 5 starsPrime usage is 192KHz, 32 bit USB DAC connectivity using windows 11 and initially it failed.Guess what : Bad cable , replaced; actually found it in garage and sending back the new cable back to AmazonTidal MQA is main source but everything sounds just amazing including those 128 sampled mp3's and even YouTubeLittle on bright side and after little usage of few days, has become slightly warmer though.So much Power and detail, I am amazedCon: 1. The Windows driver is nowhere to be found and can only be requested from Support people of Denon. Denon Uncle don't do this, handshake with Microsoft and make it part of the MS-cloud 2. Subwoofer out would have been a cherry on the cake, and that's pretty much it. 3. Plastic Remote @ this price - Really?PS: I will leave all snapshot and video snippet as is, just in case you have the bad cable challenges, same as me.Will recommend to anyone and everyone. Go for it.CheersMy background: IT person - essentially I solve problems, Borderline Audiophile - love music of ALL kindReplaced my good buddy 5800, was using in dual channel using external Bluetooth DS200 (mid level $100+ - as in NOT Mcintosh $500 )Speakers : Tower - Def Tech flagshipDesired Connectivity : 1. USB DAC using USB cable 2. Bluetooth 5.x using PCM 44Khz dual channel connected to CD port via RCA (red and white)First : 1. Windows 11 does not recognize the device properly 2. Denon has no software driver online as mentioned in manual and so many other places, to get that you need to call support 3. When you call support hey will take their own time to find one and send you an email 4. The software driver I received is from 2018 - see picturesSoftware Used : Tidal Windows, Tidal Web, Windows Media Player, VLC, Spotify, Synology Audio Station Web and so on (youtube as well)Results: 1. Attached video to experience the crackling sound using USB - Digital 2. Bluetooth works flawless and sound is nice but not as good as it's supposed to be using high bandwidth USB and DAC comboThoughts:Sending it back and will try Yamaha 800 series for less than half the prices but its not the same.. lets see if that works. Really wanted this Denon to work though.Denon Support system - They have no clue and is based on the prompter they receive from their software based Q&A, as in they are not tech savvy, will drop your call @ the end of their shift or move to another call.Software Driver unavailability (got 2018 driver for a 2022 model amp via support and that did not work) and a lack of shake-hand with Microsoft caused this problem and suffering.Denon hire me and I will fix this for good for FREE due to my love and passion, I work in PPTP (people process technology and product pillars and do amazing automation across the pillars) :-)Cheers : Another Amazon NEtizen

I love this amplifier. The build quality is amazing and beautiful. Love it!

Build quality is top notch, comes with built-in DAC. As pointed out in some Japanese reviews, it has very similar sound to the top of the line A110 model. They share power amp section according to the reviewer. Therefore the sound signature is more transparent, analytical and better imaging than older models from Denon. From my audition with a pair of KEF, I can say the sound stage is wide, the tone is neutral, and the imaging is really good, which is the one I value most. It doesn't mean this is the characteristics of this particular amp, but rather saying it can really drive the KEF very well since it's well known hard to drive speakers. Can't comment on bass since the speaker I have is weak at bass by design. But the bass quality is good since I don't feel anything resembling muddy bass.Tips from some audiophile forum, if you are running a dedicated DAC source:- turn off auto standy (hold power button on the remote, might be different...)- turn on analog mode- turn on source direct mode