Denon PMA-715RG (1994–1996)
The Denon PMA-715RG is a champagne-gold integrated amplifier sold on the Japanese domestic market from 1994 to 1996. It belongs to Denon's "Gold series" and to the "Optical Class A" generation. A black version, the PMA-715R, was lighter and narrower. The RG has a gold metal case with wooden side panels, which pushes its weight to 10.4 kg versus 9.4 kg for the black model. The power supply accounts for part of that difference. A Russian-language enthusiast article on Denon's 1987-1996 "Optical Class A" amplifiers notes that the near-identical sibling PMA-915 is about 1 kg heavier still, with a beefier transformer and larger filter capacitors. The same article says the 715 can be "grown" into something close to a 915 by swapping output and driver transistors.
The PMA-715RG is rated at 65W + 65W into 8 ohms (20Hz - 20kHz) and 120W + 120W into 4 ohms (EIAJ). It has a phono stage for both MM and MC cartridges, tone and loudness controls, and source-direct switching. The system remote (RC-176) also operates Denon CD players, cassette decks, and tuners of the period. Denon's engineering list starts with a "super stable A circuit" that keeps the power transistor operating point locked regardless of temperature. The SLDC (Signal Level Divided Construction) layout separates small-signal, large-signal, and microcomputer circuits. The chassis is double-structured and sits on a large transformer base for rigidity. A low-impedance volume control improves the signal-to-noise ratio at listening levels. The amplifier draws a rated 162W from a 100V line, which fits its Japan-domestic status.
The Japanese-market catalog page at audio-database.com describes the PMA-715RG as "a concrete expression of the Denon manufacturing philosophy of the 1990s: refined circuitry, solid specifications and versatility of use designed for the music enthusiast." The original price was ¥66,000. A service manual covers both the PMA-915R/715R and PMA-915RG/715RG. Third parties sell capacitor repair kits for the 715RG, since units this old need their electrolytics replaced.
Known specs, from the Japanese catalog data:
- Rated output: 65W + 65W (8Ω, 20Hz - 20kHz); 120W + 120W (4Ω, EIAJ)
- THD: 0.008% (rated output −3dB, 1kHz, 8Ω)
- S/N ratio: 107dB (CD/Tuner/Aux/DAT, source direct on); 94dB (phono MM); 75dB (phono MC)
- Phono input: MM 2.5mV/47kΩ; MC 0.2mV/100Ω
- RIAA deviation: 20Hz–20kHz ±0.5dB
- Tone controls: Bass ±8dB at 100Hz; Treble ±8dB at 10kHz
- Loudness: +10dB at 50Hz, +5dB at 10kHz
- Power consumption: 162W; 100V AC, 50/60Hz
- Dimensions (RG): 470 × 141 × 351 mm; 10.4 kg
- Remote: RC-176, infrared, 2×AA batteries
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