Denon PMA-390 (1991)

Name: Denon PMA-390
Brand: Denon

The Denon PMA-390 is a pre-main (integrated) amplifier released in 1991 for the Japanese domestic market, priced at ¥33,000. It sits at the entry point of Denon's early-90s amplifier range. It wasn't a flagship, but it carried several design touches from higher up the lineup. The big one is a large toroidal transformer, which Denon touted as pursuing "a full-scale model beyond the class."

The spec sheet is strong for the class. It's rated at 60W + 60W into 8Ω and 73W + 73W into 6Ω (20 Hz - 20 kHz), with dynamic power reaching 120W into 4Ω and 140W into 2Ω. Total harmonic distortion is listed at 0.008% (1 kHz, 30W, 8Ω). Line input frequency response runs from 4 Hz to 100 kHz (+0/-3 dB). A source direct switch bypasses the tone control circuit for a shorter signal path. There's also a switchable MM/MC phono stage, which is a nice thing to find at this price. The MM section has a signal-to-noise ratio of 94 dB. The MC section manages 75 dB.

Denon paid attention to the small things here. The volume control is low impedance, to prevent S/N ratio and frequency characteristic deterioration at normal listening levels. The loudness control boosts 100 Hz by +7 dB and 10 kHz by +6 dB for low-volume listening. The headphone output is compatible with 8Ω - 400Ω phones.

The PMA-390 started a long-running family. It was followed by the PMA-390II (1996), PMA-390III, PMA-390IV (2000), and a much later PMA-390RE remake in 2012. One period source, zoloto.name, noted the lineage as one of the longest-lived and most evolving series in Denon's history.

Physical specs: 434 × 120 × 279 mm (W×H×D), 5.8 kg, power consumption 118W.