The PMA-1600NE is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Denon that delivers 70 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 140 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2016. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (384kHz/32-bit), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The Denon PMA-1600NE has an MSRP of $2,099.
Denon PMA-1600NE Amplifier Internal View
There are 7 Denon amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Denon Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Denon PMA-1600NE is rated at 70 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Denon provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.07% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 70 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.07%
- 140 watts into 4-ohms
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 108dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 70 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Denon PMA-1600NE?
70 W into 8 ohms, 140 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Denon PMA-1600NE is rated at 70 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 61 to 90 watts band. The next band up is 91 to 120 watts, which is worth about 1.5dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the Up to 60 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Denon PMA-1600NE with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the Denon PMA-1600NE Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Denon PMA-1600NE amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | Poor |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Denon PMA-1600NE, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Denon PMA-1600NE has total of 3 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM,MC).
Denon PMA-1600NE Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- 1/4 Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
Denon PMA-1600NE doesn't have bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to stream your music via bluetooth, the easiest way is to connect an external bluetooth receiver to your Denon PMA-1600NE. Two bluetooth receivers that we recommend are the
iFi Zen Blue V2 and the
Audioengine B1.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
Denon PMA-1600NE features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
DAC and Digital Music
The Denon PMA-1600NE's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the PMA-1600NE is the
384kHz/32-bit, and supports resolutions up to
32-bit, 384KHZ.
Denon PMA-1600NE Handheld Remote
Denon PMA-1600NE Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Power nearly doubles into a harder load, 70 watts into 8 ohms rising to 140 into 4, which points to a power supply with real current in reserve.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 108dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 32-bit / 384 and DSD, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical, 1 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM,MC), for moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges alike.
- ✓A and B speaker terminals, for a second pair or for bi-wiring.
- ✓Headphone output (1/4).
- ✓Has tone controls and a direct mode that bypasses them.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 2-prong).
- ✗No Bluetooth and no network streaming - everything arrives over a cable.
Denon PMA-1600NE External Dimensions and Weight
Denon PMA-1600NE has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 5-5/16inch x 17-1/8inch x 17-5/8inch (135.0mm x 435.0mm x 448.0mm ). The unit weighs
17.64 kg (38.8 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Denon PMA-1600NE is approximately 1948.8cm2 / 302.1inch2.
- Width: 435.0mm (17-1/8")
- Height: 135.0mm (5-5/16")
- Depth: 448.0mm (17-5/8")
- Weight: 17.64 kg (38.8 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1948.8cm2 / 302.1inch2
- Volume: ~26.3 liter / 6.9 gallon
Available colors
Denon PMA-1600NE is available in Black color options.
What's in the Box of Denon PMA-1600NE?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PMA-1600NE:
- Integrated amplifier
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control (RC-1213)
- 2 AAA batteries
- Owners Manual on CD-ROM
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Denon PMA-1600NE Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Denon PMA-1600NE
Warranty
3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Denon PMA-1600NE by the manufacturer.
Denon PMA-1600NE Lifestyle
| General |
| Brand |
Denon |
| Full Model Name |
Denon PMA-1600NE |
| Release Date |
2016 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
70 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
140 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.07% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
108 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
384kHz/32-bit |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
3 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
1 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| Preamp Outputs |
No |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 2-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
135.0mm (5-5/16") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17-1/8") |
| Depth |
448.0mm (17-5/8") |
| Weight |
17.64 kg (38.8 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |