Denon PMA-9.5 (1996)
The PMA-9.5 is a compact integrated amplifier from Denon's "point component series" of the mid-1990s - a line of small-footprint components made for the Japanese domestic market. It was introduced around 1996 at ¥100,000. According to a single seller listing, that reportedly put it on shelves next to Denon's top model, the PMA-2000, at the same price. That claim is uncorroborated.
The inside is the interesting part. Denon states it inherits the philosophy and technology of the S1 series, with a push-pull circuit built around high-current UHC-MOS output devices. The layout centers on a large power transformer flanked by left and right independent heatsinks. Denon says this eliminates interference between channels caused by induced current. A CD direct switch bypasses the tone control circuitry entirely, and the supplied remote also operates Denon CD players and cassette decks.
Rated output is 50W + 50W into 6Ω (20 Hz - 20 kHz), with a maximum practical output of 80W + 80W (6Ω, EIAJ). THD is specified at 0.07% (1 kHz, 8Ω). Phono MM input sensitivity is 2.5mV/47kΩ. Line inputs are 150mV/15kΩ. Signal-to-noise is 80dB (phono MM), 96dB (line), and 100dB with CD Direct engaged. RIAA deviation is ±0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Power consumption is 110W. Dimensions are 250 × 113 × 375 mm (W×H×D) and it weighs 7.2kg.
- Rated output: 50W + 50W (20 Hz–20 kHz, 6Ω)
- Max practical power: 80W + 80W (6Ω, EIAJ)
- THD: 0.07% (1 kHz, 8Ω)
- Speaker load: 6–16Ω (A or B); 12–16Ω (A+B)
- SNR: 80dB (MM) / 96dB (line) / 100dB (CD Direct)
- Dimensions: 250 × 113 × 375 mm; 7.2kg
The record on this model is thin beyond the basics. No service manual is readily available, and the sources found give no frequency response data and no damping factor. Owner commentary is sparse. One Russian forum user remarked it "didn't impress as much as the 7.5L," and another noted difficulty even finding a 9.5 for sale, suggesting it's the rarer of the two. Current asking prices on Russian classifieds hover around 40,000₽, often with the caveat that the included remote is a clone rather than an original.
What survives of the documentation points to a well-engineered compact amplifier, and the UHC-MOS circuitry and S1 lineage set it apart in this size class. Little has been written about how it sounds or how it holds up today.
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