Denon PMA-760 (1983)
The Denon PMA-760 is a stereo pre-main amplifier released in 1983 at ¥79,800. The headline feature is its non-feedback 0 dB power amplifier, a design that does away with negative feedback loops entirely. Denon first developed the technology in the POA-8000, and the PMA-760 reportedly inherited it from the PMA-790. Instead of conventional feedback, a direct distortion servo circuit compares the input signal with the signal from the output side. It isolates only the distortion component and applies its inverted phase back to the input. The claimed benefit is no signal feedback, no time delay, and no susceptibility to the back electromotive force from speakers, which supposedly suppresses distortion when a speaker is connected.
The final stage uses a Pc200W power transistor in a direct A-class system, which promises A-class quality with B-class efficiency. Rated output is 150W + 150W into 6Ω and 125W + 125W into 8Ω (both channels driven, 20 Hz-20 kHz), with total harmonic distortion of 0.003% or less at rated output −3 dB. Slew rate is specified at ±300 V/μs or more. The entire signal path, from the MC cartridge input terminal through to the speaker output, is DC-configured with no coupling capacitors. The power supply has a 260 VA toroidal transformer, a 30,000 μF capacitor bank, and fast-recovery diodes for high-speed rectification.
The phono stage is a "super equalizer" system with RIAA deviation of ±0.2 dB from 20 Hz to 100 kHz, which is an unusually wide specification. Sensitivity is 2.5 mV/47kΩ for MM and 0.2 mV/100Ω for MC. The preamp also has tone controls (bass ±8 dB at 50/100 Hz, treble ±8 dB at 10/20 kHz), a subsonic filter at 20 Hz (6 dB/octave), −20 dB muting, and loudness compensation. A high-speed protection circuit is fitted as well.
The unit measures 470 × 132 × 413 mm and weighs 12 kg, with power consumption rated at 230W. One Yahoo Auctions listing from mid-2026 shows a PMA-760 selling around ¥11,606. Beyond that, little is documented about how these were received or how they hold up today. No user reviews or common maintenance notes have surfaced.
Known Specifications
- Rated output: 150W + 150W (6Ω); 125W + 125W (8Ω), 20 Hz–20 kHz
- THD: 0.003% or less (at rated output −3 dB)
- Frequency response (1W): 1 Hz–250 kHz (+0/−3 dB)
- Slew rate: ±300 V/μs or more
- Phono: MM 2.5 mV/47kΩ; MC 0.2 mV/100Ω
- RIAA deviation (MC): 20 Hz–100 kHz ±0.2 dB
- Dimensions: 470 × 132 × 413 mm; 12 kg
- Price: ¥79,800 (1983)
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