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Comparison Pioneer A-70DA vs Denon PMA-720AE

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Pioneer A-70DA
Denon PMA-720AE
Pioneer A-70DADenon PMA-720AE
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Device typeintegrated amplifierintegrated amplifier
Element basetransistortransistor
Amplifier parameters
Number of channels22
Frequency range
5 – 50000 Hz /± 3 дБ/
20 – 50000 Hz
Power per channel (8Ω)65 W50 W
Power per channel (4Ω)90 W85 W
Signal to noise ratio101 dB107 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio (Main)110 dB
Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)89/74 dB86 dB
Harmonic distortion0.02 %0.01 %
Channel sensitivity / impedance
Line input
200 mV
50 kOhm
120 mV
45 kOhm
Main input
1 V
10 kOhm
 
 
Phono MM/MC
2.8/0.24 mV
50/0.1 kOhm
2.5 mV
47 kOhm
REC output
200 mV
2.2 kOhm
150 mV
 
Preout
 
700 mV
Connectors
Inputs
Phono
USB B
coaxial S/P-DIF
optical
control input (IR)
Phono
 
 
 
control input (IR)
To amplifier (Main)RCA
RCA4 pairs5 pairs
XLR (balanced)2 шт
Outputs
 
control output (IR)
Pre-Amp
control output (IR)
For acoustics4 шт4 шт
REC (to recorder)1 pairs1 pairs
On headphones6.35 mm (Jack)6.35 mm (Jack)
Front panel
indicators
headphone output
indicators
headphone output
Features
Adjustments
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
loudness
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
loudness
More features
By-pass/Direct
auto power off
ММ phono stage
MC phono stage
additional speaker connect
Bi-Wiring
external devices control
By-pass/Direct
 
ММ phono stage
 
additional speaker connect
Bi-Wiring
external devices control
General
Remote control
Power output3 шт
PSUinternalinternal
Power consumption74 W200 W
Standby consumption0.2 W0.3 W
Dimensions (WxDxH)435x362x142 mm434х307х121 mm
Weight17.2 kg7.1 kg
Color
Added to E-Catalogfebruary 2016january 2014

Frequency range

The range of audio frequencies that the amplifier is capable of handling. The wider this range, the more complete the overall picture of the sound, the less likely it is that too high or low frequencies will be “cut off” by the output amplifier. However, note that the range of sound audible to a person is on average from 16 Hz to 20 kHz; There are some deviations from this norm, but they are small. At the same time, modern Hi-Fi and Hi-End technology can have a much wider range — most often it is a kind of "side effect" of high-end circuits. Some manufacturers may use this property for promotional purposes, but it does not carry practical value in itself.

Note that even within the audible range it does not always make sense to chase the maximum coverage. It is worth, for example, to take into account that the actually audible sound cannot be better than the speakers are capable of giving out; therefore, for a speaker system with a lower threshold of, say, 70 Hz, there is no need to look for an amplifier with this figure of 16 Hz. Also, do not forget that a wide frequency range in itself does not absolutely guarantee high sound quality — it is associated with a huge number of other factors.

Power per channel (8Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when operating with a load having a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 8 ohms. In our catalog, this parameter is indicated for the mode when all channels of the amplifier work under load (see "Number of channels"); in the presence of unused channels, the rated power may be slightly higher, but this mode cannot be called standard.

Rated power can be simply described as the highest output signal power at which the amplifier is able to work stably for a long time (at least an hour) without negative consequences. These are average figures, because in fact, the audio signal is by definition unstable, and individual level jumps can significantly exceed the rated power. However, it is she who is the main basis for assessing the overall loudness of the sound.

This indicator also determines which speakers can be connected to the amplifier: their rated power should not be lower than that of the amplifier.

According to the laws of electrodynamics, with different dynamic load resistance, the output power of the amplifier will also be different. In modern speakers, the standard values \u200b\u200bare 8, 6, 4 and 2 Ohms, and power levels are indicated for them.

Power per channel (4Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when a load with a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 4 ohms is connected to it. See Power per Channel (8Ω) for more information on power rating and its relationship to impedance.

Signal to noise ratio

In itself, the signal-to-noise ratio is the ratio of the level of pure sound produced by the amplifier to the level of extraneous noise that occurs during its operation. This parameter is the main indicator of the overall sound quality — and very clear, because. its measurement takes into account almost all the noise that affects the sound in normal operating conditions. A level of 70 – 80 dB in modern amplifiers can be considered acceptable, 80 – 90 dB is not bad, and for advanced audiophile-class devices, a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 100 dB is considered mandatory.

If the specifications do not specify for which output the signal-to-noise ratio is indicated, it usually means its value for the linear input (see "RCA (par)"). This is quite enough to evaluate the quality of the device for this parameter. However, some manufacturers indicate it for other inputs — Main, Phono; see below for more on this.

Signal-to-noise ratio (Main)

Signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is operating through the Main input. For more details on the value of the signal-to-noise ratio, see the relevant paragraph above, about the Main input — p. "Input to the amplifier (Main)".

Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)

signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is driven through the Phono input. This interface is for connecting turntables; its features are described in the “Inputs” section below, and for the meaning of any signal-to-noise ratio, see the corresponding section above.

Harmonic distortion

This indicator describes the amount of non-linear distortion introduced by the amplifier into the processed signal. Such distortions are not necessarily perceived as extraneous noise, but they degrade the quality of the sound anyway — for example, they can make it more deaf. It is almost impossible to avoid them, but it can be reduced to levels inaudible to the human ear.

As a result, the harmonic distortion factor (harmonics) is one of the main parameters describing the overall sound quality in Hi-Fi and Hi-End amplifiers. The lower it is, the clearer the sound. Hundredths of a percent are considered a good indicator for modern amplifiers, thousandths and below are excellent. The exceptions are tube and hybrid models, for which rather high harmonic coefficients are allowed; see "Element base" for more details.

Line input

The sensitivity and dynamic impedance of the amplifier when a signal is applied to the RCA line input.

Under the sensitivity of any input (except optical) is meant the lowest signal voltage at this input, at which the amplifier is able to provide normal nominal power values (see "Power per channel (8Ω)"). This parameter determines, first of all, the requirements for the signal source. On the one hand, the voltage provided by this source must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the amplifier, otherwise the latter simply will not give the claimed characteristics. However, a significant excess in voltage should not be allowed, otherwise the sound will begin to be distorted. More detailed recommendations on choosing an amplifier by sensitivity are described in special sources.

For any input other than optical, it is believed that the higher this indicator, the less distortion the amplifier introduces into the signal. The minimum level of input impedance in modern models is considered to be 10 kOhm, and in high-end devices it can reach several hundred kOhm.

Main input

The sensitivity and dynamic impedance of the amplifier when a signal is applied to the Main input.

Under the sensitivity of any input (except optical) is meant the lowest signal voltage at this input, at which the amplifier is able to provide normal nominal power values (see "Power per channel (8Ω)"). This parameter determines, first of all, the requirements for the signal source. On the one hand, the voltage provided by this source must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the amplifier, otherwise the latter simply will not give the claimed characteristics. However, a significant excess in voltage should not be allowed, otherwise the sound will begin to be distorted. More detailed recommendations on choosing an amplifier by sensitivity are described in special sources.

For any input other than optical, it is believed that the higher this indicator, the less distortion the amplifier introduces into the signal. The minimum level of input impedance in modern models is considered to be 10 kOhm, and in high-end devices it can reach several hundred kOhm.
Pioneer A-70DA often compared
Denon PMA-720AE often compared