Denon PMA-390II (c. 1996)
The PMA-390II is a pre-main amplifier Denon developed as the successor to the PMA-390. It was introduced around 1996 at ¥39,800. It's a straightforward mid-fi integrated amp from Denon's late-90s lineup. Nothing exotic, but built with the company's usual care. It came in gold and black finishes.
The amp is rated at 50W + 50W into 8 ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) and 100W + 100W into 4 ohms (1 kHz, EIAJ). Dynamic power is rated at 150W + 150W into 2 ohms. THD is spec'd at 0.008% (1 kHz, 25W, 8Ω). Line input frequency response runs from 5 Hz to 100 kHz (+0/-3 dB). Signal-to-noise is 107 dB on line inputs with source direct engaged, and 86 dB on phono (MM) at 5 mV input.
Denon calls the design approach "short signal technology." The signal path to the input and speaker terminals is simplified by careful placement of switches, volumes, and parts. A source direct switch bypasses the tone control and balance circuits entirely and sends the signal straight from the main volume to the power amp stage. The preamp section has bass and treble controls (each ±8 dB at 100 Hz and 10 kHz respectively) plus a variable loudness control. The phono stage handles MM cartridges with RIAA deviation of ±0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
The PMA-390II came with the RC-176 system remote, an infrared unit that also operates compatible Denon CD players, cassette decks, and tuners. Power consumption is rated at 138W, and the unit measures 434 × 120 × 282 mm, weighing 6.2 kg — a compact, practical footprint for a 50-watt integrated.
Documentation on the PMA-390II is thin. No production years beyond the 1996 price reference, no owner reviews, and no service manual content were located in the research. What survives is the spec sheet and the units themselves, which still appear regularly on the used market.
- Rated output: 50W + 50W (8Ω, 20 Hz–20 kHz); 100W + 100W (4Ω, 1 kHz, EIAJ)
- Dynamic power: 150W + 150W (2Ω)
- THD: 0.008% (1 kHz, 25W, 8Ω)
- Frequency response (line): 5 Hz–100 kHz (+0/-3 dB)
- S/N: 107 dB (line, source direct ON); 86 dB (phono MM, 5 mV input)
- Phono: MM, 2.5 mV/47 kΩ
- Dimensions: 434 × 120 × 282 mm; 6.2 kg
- Remote: RC-176 system remote (infrared)
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