Review on Denon DCD-1600NE Super Audio CD Player: Enhanced Design, Powerful Processing & Modern File Compatibility by Sheila Smith

Pros: My PMA-1600NE produces far more bass than its power specification suggests compared to other amplifiers I have used with the same speakers that have the same or better power output into 8 ohms and 4 ohms. Cons: This amp sometimes won't turn on (when it does, a couple of little lights on the front will blink). The solution is simple and quick: press the power button again (which turns it off) and then press the power button again (which turns it on). This problem occurs about 1 in 6 power-on attempts. The sound quality isn't super clear (exactly) or super clear, but at this price point those qualities are perfectly acceptable. The quality and sonic reproduction of the highs sounds more metallic than any other amp I've used with the same speakers, and that metallic sound is a bit raspy and harsh. The amps I compared this Denon to were the NAD C 388 and the Yamaha A-S701, the Krell KAV-400xi and the smaller Denon PMA-800NE. This Denon PMA-1600NE outperforms the Denon PMA-800NE, however the 1600NE costs about twice as much as the 800NE. The 1600NE is better (including sound quality) than the NAD C 388 and Yamaha A-S701, and the 1600NE is on par with the more expensive Krell KAV-400xi. Competitors (i.e. integrated amplifiers from other manufacturers) with similar performance and similar equipment are more expensive, with a few exceptions. My main concern when buying this amp was its relatively low power, but I read in an article (published on a European website) that this amp has a lot more power than Denon advertises; and my Denon amp is indeed much more powerful than advertised.