Old Hifi day

mikeyb
Audio Addict

Posts: 1,222

Old Hifi day Jul 18, 2020 15:41:00 GMT via Tapatalk gninnam likes this

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Post by mikeyb on Jul 18, 2020 15:41:00 GMT

This just arrived from Germany, bought a few days ago because I was bored and thinking I'll never find a Mark 2. This will perhaps do in the meantime.

I don't really need it ( isn't that always the case ) as I already own a Herron Audio VTSP-2a Pre amp and Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Power amp, but with my Technics SP10 Turntable (1975/81) and Tannoy Berkeley speakers (1974/79) I thought it might be cool to go full retro and try an amp from the same era.

Denon PMA-850 (1978/79)

classichifi.info/DenonPMA-850.shtml

www.thevintageknob.org/denon-PMA-850.html

Been running nicely for the last couple of hours and sounding very nice indeed. Will it usurp my main pre/power combo, I doubt it, however off I hadn't heard them, this would do very nicely indeed.

Ok it needs a good internal clean and I'd like to have it serviced.

A bargain at the price I paid but I'm even more keen to find a Mark 2 now.

Bigman80 Grandmaster The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner Posts: 16,400 Member is Online	Old Hifi day Jul 18, 2020 16:34:08 GMT via Tapatalk mikeyb likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Bigman80 on Jul 18, 2020 16:34:08 GMT Thats a beauty.... Lots of vintage lovers out there...must be something in it
	Analogue: Technics SP10 / PMAT1010 / Avalon OBX Preamp & Phonostage Digital: Kenwood 9010 CDT / Novafidelity X50D & Topping D70S Amp and speakers: Pimped Purifi & Arke Audio TG SEAS NEXTEL-2F Email: Bigbottleaudio@gmail.com

macca Stalwart Posts: 8,158	Old Hifi day Jul 18, 2020 16:49:45 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by macca on Jul 18, 2020 16:49:45 GMT What's the difference between the Mk1 and Mk2?
	''I think a lot of digital people are just bored because there's little to tweak. Suddenly boutique network cables, switches and usb cables are a thing you're into because, well what else is there except listening to music?''

mikeyb
Audio Addict

Posts: 1,222

Old Hifi day Jul 18, 2020 20:37:41 GMT Bigman80 likes this

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Post by mikeyb on Jul 18, 2020 20:37:41 GMT

Jul 18, 2020 16:49:45 GMT macca said:

What's the difference between the Mk1 and Mk2?

The Mark 2 is Class A for about 10 watts and slightly different filters I think.

The Vintageknob website explains it better than me

The ultimate PMA-850II has it all (but the muting switch which is replaced by the Class A / B function), has better specs and is, previsibly, the rare beast.

All are very healthy units and built to make music for a nice set of decades - pretty rare nowadays !

Last Edit: Jul 18, 2020 20:42:07 GMT by mikeyb

macca Stalwart Posts: 8,158	Old Hifi day Jul 19, 2020 8:50:05 GMT mikeyb likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by macca on Jul 19, 2020 8:50:05 GMT Right. Certainly a quality amplifier regardless of the mark. Hard to go wrong with Denon, especially their older stuff. need to get my PMA250 UK SE working again, see if it is as good as I recall.
	''I think a lot of digital people are just bored because there's little to tweak. Suddenly boutique network cables, switches and usb cables are a thing you're into because, well what else is there except listening to music?''

hornucopia
Prospect

Posts: 52

Old Hifi day Sept 13, 2020 12:19:51 GMT mikeyb likes this

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Post by hornucopia on Sept 13, 2020 12:19:51 GMT

Does Hafler DH 101/200 count as 'Classic'?
Had mine recapped, etc., a few years back and the 101 has 'seen off' DCB/Stereo Coffee.LDR since. The 200 is more watts than I need but still sounds great. Bought both in 1980/1, seciond hand even then.
www.kenrockwell.com/audio/hafler/dh-200.htm

macca Stalwart Posts: 8,158	Old Hifi day Sept 13, 2020 12:45:47 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by macca on Sept 13, 2020 12:45:47 GMT Yes that counts as classic, no doubt. Hafler were very good IMO.
	''I think a lot of digital people are just bored because there's little to tweak. Suddenly boutique network cables, switches and usb cables are a thing you're into because, well what else is there except listening to music?''

mikeyb Audio Addict Posts: 1,222	Old Hifi day Sept 13, 2020 12:49:26 GMT via Tapatalk Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mikeyb on Sept 13, 2020 12:49:26 GMT My Denon should be on the bench as I type, be interesting to hear it when it returns.

mikeyb Audio Addict Posts: 1,222	Old Hifi day Sept 13, 2020 12:52:40 GMT via Tapatalk Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mikeyb on Sept 13, 2020 12:52:40 GMT Had the purchase of a Mark II lined up only for my daughters business van breaking a timing chain and screwing the engine after only 6 weeks of owning it 😡 The perils of buying private, funds redirected now 😢

macca Stalwart Posts: 8,158	Old Hifi day Sept 13, 2020 15:02:26 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by macca on Sept 13, 2020 15:02:26 GMT Sept 13, 2020 12:49:26 GMT mikeyb said: My Denon should be on the bench as I type, be interesting to hear it when it returns. Modding or just servicing?
	''I think a lot of digital people are just bored because there's little to tweak. Suddenly boutique network cables, switches and usb cables are a thing you're into because, well what else is there except listening to music?''

firebottle Audio Addict Posts: 1,747	Old Hifi day Sept 13, 2020 16:09:36 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by firebottle on Sept 13, 2020 16:09:36 GMT A timing chain shouldn't break, very unlucky.

Post by mikeyb on Jul 18, 2020 15:41:00 GMT

Post by Bigman80 on Jul 18, 2020 16:34:08 GMT

Post by macca on Jul 18, 2020 16:49:45 GMT

Post by mikeyb on Jul 18, 2020 20:37:41 GMT

Post by macca on Jul 19, 2020 8:50:05 GMT

Post by hornucopia on Sept 13, 2020 12:19:51 GMT

Post by macca on Sept 13, 2020 12:45:47 GMT

Post by mikeyb on Sept 13, 2020 12:49:26 GMT

Post by mikeyb on Sept 13, 2020 12:52:40 GMT

Post by macca on Sept 13, 2020 15:02:26 GMT

Post by firebottle on Sept 13, 2020 16:09:36 GMT