Denon PRA-1000 Vintage Preamplifier w/MM & MC Phono Stage

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General:
This sleek and very well built Denon preamplifier is a great choice for matching with 1980's or 1990's gear. This particular PRA-1000 also still has its matching rosewood veneered side panels that really complete a vintage look. 

It has a capable phono stage with two inputs, one supporting standard moving-magnet cartridges and the other for higher-end moving-coil cartridges. Something we wish more vintage preamps offered in this price range.

Along with the preamp the original owners manual will be included.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Some minor marks and scratches on the rear of the unit and top. Overall good shape.

Brand Background:
Original Hi-Fi from Japan

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Japan has been synonymous with cutting-edge electronics. Indeed, the Japanese seem to have an inherent ability to not only visualize the future, but also create it.

Denon, Japan's original audio brand has been turning ideas into reality for over 110 years. Shaped by an intimate relationship with Japan’s national public broadcaster, NHK, the brand spent its early years developing groundbreaking technologies that would reimagine audio paradigms.

Denon quickly established itself as the world's most innovative audio brand, regularly first to deliver new technology. Since then, it has drawn on its rich history to inform countless new developments. After all, it was the brand's Hi-Fi expertise that lead Denon to create the first AV Receivers.

Now, from its Audio Works facility in Shirakawa, the brand continues to build on its legacy of technological firsts, exploring new formats, processes and products.

Ownership:
Second Owner

Connections:
RCA, Ground, AC Power Plugs

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit and Manual

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Specs:
Frequency response:
10 Hz to 100 kHz

Total harmonic distortion:
0.002%

Gain:
63.5dB (MC)
35.6dB (MM)

Input sensitivity:
0.1mV (MC)
2.5mV (MM)
150mV (line)

Signal to noise ratio:
77 dB (MC)
90 dB (MM)
105 dB (line)

Output:
150mV (line)
1V (Pre out)
10V (Pre out Max)

Dimensions:
18.3" x 4.9" x 12.2" (464 x 124 x 312mm)

Weight:
13.2 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1983

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface.

The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected.

If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.