Denon PMA-1500R (c. 1999)

Name: Denon PMA-1500R
Brand: Denon

The Denon PMA-1500R is an integrated amplifier from the late 1990s, introduced around April 1999 at a Japanese price of ¥68,000. It came in two finishes, gold and black (the black one is the PMA-1500R-K). It is a pre-main amplifier that inherited technology from Denon's higher-end S series, and it is sometimes described as an economical expression of that design lineage.

The main technical claim is the UHC-MOS output devices - a high-current MOSFET with a peak current rating of 120A, giving it current delivery roughly 3 to 10 times that of a conventional output stage. Denon mounted these in a single push-pull configuration to eliminate variation in amplification operation. The design also has an L.C. (Leakage Canceling) twin transformer, a rectifier circuit derived from the PMA-S1 flagship, and fast-recovery diodes. Inside, the power amplifier blocks are independent, and the chassis was selected with attention to copper plate thickness. The transformer sits on a dedicated base with special rubber for vibration control. The phono stage is discrete with a low-noise FET first stage, and it switches between MM and MC cartridges.

Rated output is 70W + 70W into 8Ω (20 Hz - 20 kHz) and 140W + 140W into 4Ω at 1 kHz. THD is specified at 0.01% (8Ω, −3dB rated output, 1 kHz). Signal-to-noise ratio is 110dB for line inputs, 91dB for phono MM (at 5 mV input), and 76dB for phono MC (at 0.5 mV input). The amplifier has a Source Direct mode, tone controls (bass ±8dB at 100 Hz, treble ±8dB at 10 kHz), loudness compensation, and gold-plated brass speaker terminals arranged for biwiring (4-16Ω in biwire mode; 8-16Ω with A+B engaged). A switched power outlet is provided (120W total), and a system remote control is included. Power consumption is rated at 250W, with roughly 5W in standby. Dimensions are 434 × 134 × 407 mm and weight is 14.0 kg.

The record has a point of confusion. The PMA-1500R is often mixed up with the later PMA-1500RII (also written PMA-1500R2) and the PMA-1500AE, and both are distinct models. The RII is described as a logical continuation of the first model, but its specifications, including a listed weight of 14.6 kg and frequency response of 5 Hz - 100 kHz, should not be attributed to the original PMA-1500R. The PMA-1500AE is a separate, later variant with Advanced AL32 Processing and should not be merged with this model either.

Documentation for the PMA-1500R itself is moderate. The service manual is available through HiFi Engine and radiomuseum.org. A HiFi Engine user review from September 2021 praised the build as solid, heavy, and beautiful-sounding, and called it one of the best amplifiers Denon ever made. There is also at least one YouTube repair video series covering work on a PMA-1500R. A Yahoo Auctions result from August 2026 shows a unit selling for ¥22,630, and a Russian auction listing asks 55,000 ₽ for a unit with remote and manual. Production years beyond the April 1999 introduction date are not documented.

Known Specifications

Type: Integrated amplifier (pre-main)
Output: 70W + 70W (8Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz); 140W + 140W (4Ω, 1 kHz)
THD: 0.01% (8Ω, −3dB rated output, 1 kHz)
S/N ratio: 110dB (line); 91dB (MM); 76dB (MC)
Phono: MM 2.5mV/47kΩ; MC 0.2mV/100Ω
Input sensitivity: 150mV/47kΩ (source direct off); 150mV/13kΩ (source direct on)
Tone controls: Bass ±8dB (100 Hz); Treble ±8dB (10 kHz)
Output devices: UHC-MOS, 120A peak current
Power consumption: 250W (standby ~5W)
Dimensions: 434 × 134 × 407 mm
Weight: 14.0 kg
Price (Japan, c. 1998): ¥68,000
Colors: Gold, Black (PMA-1500R-K)