Denon PMA-940V (circa 1985)
The Denon PMA-940V is a pre-main amplifier from the mid-1980s, originally priced at ¥69,800. The record on this model is thin. Nearly everything known comes from a single Japanese database entry, but that entry is detailed. It describes an ambitious, technically loaded integrated amp from the early CD era.
The engineering here is about speed and a fully DC-coupled signal path. Denon described the PMA-940V as using an improved "dual super non-feedback circuit" aimed at raising slew rate. The output stage is a 3-stage Darlington push-pull built around high-speed, high-capacity power transistors (50 MHz or more, Pc 150W). A DC servo circuit allows a complete DC configuration, with no coupling capacitors anywhere between the MC input and speaker output. A current mirror circuit using 250 MHz transistors helps realize that high slew rate. The power supply uses a 220 VA transformer and 32,800 µF of audio-block capacitance (8,200 µF × 4), plus a "pure dynamic power supply circuit" that Denon said reduced sound quality degradation from ripple current.
The phono stage got particular attention. The "super equalizer" uses low-noise FET differential amplification in its first stage and achieves a wide RIAA deviation of 20 Hz to 100 kHz ±0.3 dB at MC. The phono input terminals are gold-plated. The preamp section also has a processor loop for external surround processors, graphic equalizers, or channel dividers. It adds broadband real-time tone control and a subsonic filter.
Specs, as recorded:
- Rated output: 105W + 105W (8 Ω), 125W + 125W (6 Ω), 20 Hz–20 kHz
- THD: 0.004% (20 Hz–20 kHz, 52.5W, 8 Ω)
- Dynamic power: 250W (2 Ω)
- Slew rate: ±350 V/µs or more
- Frequency response: 4 Hz–250 kHz, +0/−3 dB (1W, 8 Ω)
- Output bandwidth: 5 Hz–80 kHz (52.5W, 0.03%, 8 Ω)
- Input sensitivity: Phono MM 2.5mV/47kΩ; Phono MC 0.2mV/100Ω; Line 150mV/30kΩ
- SN ratio (IHF A): Phono MM 87 dB; Phono MC 70 dB; Line 107 dB
- Dimensions: 434 × 139 × 414 mm; weight 10.6 kg
No production years are confirmed beyond the "around 1985" price attribution. No period reviews, owner opinions, or common-failure information have surfaced. A couple of YouTube videos show the PMA-940V paired with a Teac A-3300S reel-to-reel and a Denon DCD-1650 CD player, which at least confirms the unit still finds use today. A single Yahoo Auctions listing for a "junk" unit bid up to ¥56,166 in August 2026, which suggests modest collector interest. The eserviceinfo.com search for a service manual turns up only unrelated Denon queries, so even basic documentation appears scarce.
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