Denon PMA-1700NE Review (2026): Power Without Streaming

This Denon PMA-1700NE review looks at a stereo integrated amplifier with a phono stage and wired digital inputs, and no network streaming. It is aimed at listeners who want to drive a pair of passive speakers properly, connect a turntable and a few digital sources, and not worry about apps or wireless setups.

The review below is based on Denon's published specifications and on what independent experts report. It is not hands-on testing.

Design and build

The PMA-1700NE has an aluminum front panel and aluminum knobs, and reviewers praise the solid build and the clear OLED display. A remote control is included.

It is a substantial piece of equipment. At 17.6kg it is heavy, and its footprint of 434 x 410 x 135mm means you need a proper shelf or rack with room for the depth. That weight is a common criticism from reviewers. Standby consumption is listed at 0.2W, so leaving it plugged in is not a concern.

Features and what they mean day to day

A phono stage built in

The built-in MM/MC phono stage is one of the main reasons to consider this amplifier. If you own a turntable, you can connect it straight to the amp without buying a separate phono preamp. Having both moving-magnet and moving-coil support means it can cope with a range of cartridges, which matters if you plan to upgrade your turntable later. If you are still choosing a deck, our Audio-Technica AT-LPW50BT-RW review covers one turntable option.

Digital inputs and the USB DAC

For digital sources, the amp has two optical inputs, one coaxial input and a USB-B input. The optical and coaxial inputs accept signals up to 192kHz/24-bit and suit a TV, Blu-ray player or media player. Denon includes TV auto-play detection, which is useful if you want the amp to respond when the TV is switched on.

The USB-B input connects a computer and uses a PCM1795 DAC, decoding PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD up to 11.2MHz. Denon also lists Advanced AL32 Processing Plus for hi-res digital audio. That is a comprehensive format list for a computer-based source. Reviewers, however, judge the built-in DAC to be weaker than the amplifier section, so think of the digital side as a convenient extra rather than the reason to buy.

Keeping the signal path simple

Source Direct and Analog Mode switch off digital circuits you are not using, which Denon says gives cleaner analog playback. If your listening is mostly vinyl or other analog sources, these modes are worth knowing about. Tone controls are also provided, with bass at 100Hz ±8dB and treble at 10kHz ±8dB, so you can adjust the balance when a room or recording needs it.

Speaker and system flexibility

The amp has A/B speaker outputs with bi-wire capability. Speaker impedance is rated at 4–16 ohms for A or B, and 8–16 ohms when using A+B together, so check your speakers' impedance before running two pairs at once. A power-amp direct input lets you use the PMA-1700NE as the stereo power section in a surround system, which gives it a second role if your setup changes.

Power and performance

The headline figures are 70W per channel into 8 ohms and 140W per channel into 4 ohms, from what Denon describes as an ultra-high-current single push-pull circuit. The doubling of output into a lower impedance is the key detail. It signals an amp that can deliver current to speakers that are harder to drive, and reviewers specifically praise its strong drive for demanding speakers. The damping factor is listed as 100 and over, which also points to firm control of the speaker.

For distortion, Denon rates THD at 0.01% at rated output -3dB into 8 ohms at 1kHz, and frequency response is 5Hz–100kHz (0 to -3dB). Those numbers describe an amp built for wide, clean bandwidth, though specs alone do not tell you how it sounds in your room with your speakers.

One caveat is that reviewers describe the power as modest next to some rivals. At 70W per channel into 8 ohms, it is not an amp for very large rooms or very inefficient speakers. It is more about quality of drive than raw wattage.

What experts like and what they criticise

Independent reviewers are broadly positive. HifiPicks scores it 9/10. The consistent praise is for:

• Strong drive for demanding speakers.
• The built-in phono stage for connecting a turntable directly.
• The USB-B DAC's format support.
• The solid build and clear OLED display.
• The flexibility of the optical, coaxial and power-amp direct inputs.

The criticisms are just as consistent, and some will be dealbreakers:

• There is no Wi-Fi, HEOS, Bluetooth or HDMI, so it cannot stream on its own.
• The built-in DAC is judged weaker than the amplifier section.
• Remote volume steps are coarse, and control is touchy at low levels, which could be irritating for quiet late-night listening.
• The amp is heavy, and power is modest next to some rivals.

The lack of streaming is the biggest gap. You can add it with an external streamer or network player through the digital inputs, but that means extra boxes and cost. If a one-box solution matters to you, this is not it.

Who should buy it

The PMA-1700NE suits listeners who:

• Want a powerful, well-built stereo integrated amp.
• Own a turntable, or plan to, and want the phono stage built in.
• Have demanding speakers that benefit from an amp with strong current delivery.
• Are happy using wired digital connections such as optical, coaxial or USB from a TV, player or computer.
• Prefer a traditional hi-fi layout with a display, remote and tone controls.

Who should skip it

Look elsewhere if you:

• Want built-in streaming, Bluetooth or HDMI.
• Plan to rely on the DAC as the main attraction, given reviewers' view that it is weaker than the amplifier.
• Need very high output for a large room.
• Have limited shelf space or cannot comfortably lift a 17.6kg unit.
• Mostly listen at low volumes and want fine remote control.

How it fits in the stereo amp market

The PMA-1700NE sits in the mid-range part of the market. In general terms, it takes the traditional approach: a strong analog amplifier, a phono stage and a selection of wired inputs, rather than a networked all-in-one. That makes it a good base for a system you build up over time, adding a streamer or better speakers as needed. It is less convenient than a network-enabled amp for someone who just wants to stream music from a phone.

Verdict

The Denon PMA-1700NE is a focused amplifier. It gets the fundamentals right with strong speaker drive, a built-in MM/MC phono stage, flexible wired inputs and a solid, well-finished chassis. Its weaknesses are just as clear: no streaming or Bluetooth, a DAC that is not its strongest feature, and volume control that reviewers find touchy at low levels. If you want a capable, traditional stereo amp and are happy to add streaming separately, it is a strong candidate. If you want an all-in-one wireless system, it is the wrong tool.

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