Denon PMA 501

This is a fine example of the quality material Denon produced in the late 70s — designed with care, built to last, and sonically refined.

Manufactured between 1978 and 1979, the Denon PMA-501 is a pre + main amplifier with some very clever technology under the hood. Most notably, it features the PCC system (Phono Crosstalk Canceler) — a unique circuit designed to suppress crosstalk between channels in the phono stage. This system works by injecting an inverted signal to cancel out the unwanted one, improving stereo separation where it matters most — in the frequencies our ears are most sensitive to — down to approx. -40 dB.

A fast-response protection circuit is built-in to shield speakers from accidents, with high reliability.

Denon also took care to separate high- and low-current stages, improving crosstalk by isolating the power supplies for the preamp and power amp sections. The phono input is directly connected to the equalizer stage, minimizing stray capacitance and signal degradation — a thoughtful detail for vinyl lovers.

The Sound

Warm, powerful, engaging — a true 70s sonic signature. The PMA-501 has an intimate, analog character, while still maintaining clarity and dynamics.