I recently acquired this amp with the built in phono stage and remote control for £40.It was to be used in a bedroom system.Just for a laugh i took out my Primare A20mk2 and popped the Denon in.Well i was more than impressed at what i heard.Having listened to it it's plainly obvious why it garnered so many 5 star reviews.Once warmed up it can punch way above its weight.If it doesn't sound right then you'd best look at the rest of your gear because it won't be the Denon.
The Primare is worth approximately 10 times the cost of the Denon but the Denon is so close to it sonically.If you were to be picky that last ounce of grip at the bottom isn't what it could be but thats comparing it to a £1000 amp.It really is that good.Its downfall is the fact that its a nondescript black box that lacks the 'audiophile' look it should have for the sound it produces.It does look like it means business with that spartan facia though.
Amplification hasn't moved on, just gotten cheaper, a fantastic sound in the mid 90's is still a fantastic sound today 14 years later.You could build a serious hi fi around this amplifier for absolute peanuts...Get one.

good tone balance good soundstage natural sound, with warm sounding speakers - great and relaxing sound

at this price level - none. you will hear the weaknesses when comparing to +500$ amps

Cheap and good perfoming amplifier designed in UK (no tone regulations, 'minimalistic' design). The midrange is clear, voices sound good and natural; bass & hi's aren't exposed. Bass is controlled well, and sounds natural, not boomy. Highs aren't harsh, they're quite clear. Overally the sound balance is very good at this price. Timing is pretty ok. With good CD and speakears you can get really good soundstage - there are really few amps at this price that can do it. This model is discontinued, but it's worth to look for it on second hand market if you're short on cash and want good sound (not much in stereothypical 'japanase' style).

Similar Products Used:

rotel 921/931, rotel 1070, pioneer A-400X, yamaha 596

Tone control is not obtrusive, nice listening at low volumes.

When listening to heavy and fast guitars, the sound becomes slightly muddled.

prime time listening is anytime with the denon amp, it subtly copes with classical, rock, jazz, vocal and pop with ease. I am currently running two pairs of linn index 1''s - the amplifier brings out the very best in them. Another Bargain from ebay., incidentlly

Good midrange. Reasonable power.

Harsh at times. Bass tacks definition. Competition much better.

This amplifier may have been good against the competition 5 years ago but against Nad, Rotel and Marantz it lags behind. Its not a bad sound just a little harsh and edgy at times. It also fails to dig out emotion in the music. For detail it''s ok, but check out marantz and their 4200 if thats what your after. Simply put an average performer against its competitors. This extends to the newer 355 model.

Similar Products Used:

Nad 320, Marantz 4200.

Excellent integrated amplifier.Very neutral and expressive.Recommended

Excellent, utter audio joy. Yummy

No EQ to tame the harsh top end on my substandard speakers.

I brought this from a secondhand shop for 69 quid. The sound it produces are like like no other I have heard yet. Complete precision and clarity, very very nice.

Similar Products Used:

Denon CD player: DCD-425

warm, soft sound, wide spectrum of sound, Clean listening

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This is quite cheap and quite good amplifier. With very warm and soft sound, spacefull bass it's best to listening jazz. You can enchance its advantages with Bi-wiring (I was surprised with the effect of doing it)

Good ampliefier for price around $250 (in Poland)

Similar Products Used:

some amplifiers owned by my friends, like Technics, Sherwood, Pioneer...