Denon PMA-600NE Stereo Integrated Amplifier

A serious first hi-fi amplifier with vinyl, Bluetooth and hi-res built in

The Denon PMA-600NE Stereo Integrated Amplifier is a two-channel amplifier made to be the heart of a first proper hi-fi system. It delivers 70 watts per channel into 4 ohms and brings together a moving magnet phono input, a 192 kHz/24-bit DAC, Bluetooth and an Analogue Mode in one unit. This is the black version.

Why You'll Love It

• One box for every source. A built-in MM phono input, two optical and one coaxial digital input, five analogue inputs and Bluetooth mean your turntable, TV, streamer and phone all connect to the same amplifier.
• Vinyl and hi-res, sorted. The high-gain MM phono equaliser handles your turntable, while the 192 kHz/24-bit DAC plays high-resolution audio through the optical and coaxial inputs.
• Pure analogue when you want it. Analogue Mode shuts down the digital and Bluetooth circuits, so a record or other analogue source plays with no high-frequency digital noise in the signal path.

Under the Hood

• Advanced High Current power. The AHC single-push-pull circuit uses transistors with far greater current capacity than usual, delivering 70 watts per channel into 4 ohms and 45 watts into 8 ohms.
• Short, clean signal paths. Source Direct, a Signal Level Divided Construction chassis and separately wired transformer coils keep interference away from the delicate music signal.
• Room to grow. A subwoofer pre-out lets you add a subwoofer, and a headphone output plus bass and treble controls are on hand for late-night and fine-tuning duty.

CHT Insider Verdict

The PMA-600NE is one of the easiest ways to start a real hi-fi system without boxing yourself in. It has the phono stage vinyl fans need, the digital inputs and DAC a modern setup wants, and enough power to drive most bookshelf and floorstanding speakers with ease. Denon's long amplifier heritage shows in the tidy, musical sound.

Pro Tip: Playing records or another purely analogue source? Turn on Analogue Mode to switch off the digital and Bluetooth circuits. It stops high-frequency digital noise reaching the analogue section and gives you the cleanest possible sound from vinyl.