Denon PMA-6.5L (1998)
The Denon PMA-6.5L is a compact integrated amplifier from 1998. Enthusiasts have informally dubbed it part of Denon's "kitchen" series, a group that includes the PMA-7.5, PMA-7.5S, PMA-6.5, PMA-7.5E, PMA-9.5, and PMA-7.5L. It was released at the same time as the PMA-7.5L and shares that model's internal construction. The "L" suffix appears to mean a cosmetic revision. A drive2.ru owner notes that round power buttons began with the 6.5L and 7.5L in 1998, and that the 6.5L differs from earlier models by a print or inlay on the top cover.
Denon's own specification sheet calls the PMA-6.5L part of its "point component series," developed for high-purity music reproduction despite its small footprint. The design is left/right independent, with separate amplifier circuits and heatsinks to suppress inter-channel interference. A large power transformer improves speaker drive. A sliding door hides the infrequently used controls, and the included remote handles power, volume, and source switching.
The amplifier is rated at 40W + 40W into 6 ohms at 1 kHz, with a maximum practical power (EIAJ) of 55W + 55W into 6 ohms. Speaker load impedance is specified at 6-16 ohms. The phono MM stage accepts 2.5mV/47kΩ with an 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio at 5mV input. Line inputs take 150mV/47kΩ with 95 dB S/N (source direct on). RIAA deviation is ±0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Power consumption is 80W, dimensions are 250 × 112 × 376 mm, and it weighs 6.0 kg. This is a Japanese-market unit, 100 VAC, 50/60 Hz, so outside Japan you need a step-down transformer.
The PMA-6.5L is obscure. One drive2.ru owner called these amplifiers "весьма секретные" - very secretive. There are no listings on hifi-wiki.de and not even a mention on hifiengine.com, even though 220-volt export versions existed. Manuals are extremely hard to find. What documentation survives comes largely from audio-database.com, which preserves the manufacturer spec sheet, and from a handful of Russian owner posts. The original price was ¥40,000.
Known Specifications
- Rated output: 40W + 40W (6 ohms, 1 kHz)
- Maximum practical power (EIAJ): 55W + 55W (6 ohms)
- Speaker load impedance: 6–16 ohms
- Phono MM: 2.5mV/47kΩ, S/N 80 dB
- Line: 150mV/47kΩ, S/N 95 dB (source direct)
- RIAA deviation: 20 Hz–20 kHz ±0.5 dB
- Power: 100 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 80W consumption
- Dimensions: 250 × 112 × 376 mm; 6.0 kg
- Original price: ¥40,000 (circa 1998)
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