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REVIEW: Densen DM-10 Integrated Amplifier (SS)

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Model: DM-10
Category: Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $2000????
Description: The black box with the monster knobs:-)
Manufacturer URL: Densen
Manufacturer URL: Densen

Review by Gatos ( A ) on April 29, 2002 at 09:56:26
IP Address: 210.50.68.58
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for the DM-10


Almost the end of the road as far as Solid State amps go.
If there's a better sounding amp. out there, I still have to hear it.
This amplifier competes with my two valve mono blocks, head to head, and in some areas IS better!
I drive a pair of KEF Reference 103/2's and the combination is superb.
The sound of the DM 10 is best described as smooth and very detailed at the same time.
As neutral and very musical at the same time.
It has 'punch' and rythm, without becoming tiring, I realy don't know how the Densen Engineers managed to combine all these seemingly opposite qualities together.
I had amps from Audiolab (both 8000 A and 8000 P + C), from Sugden, from
Threshold and also Linn and Naim.
Overall NONE of them managed to reproduce music the way the DM 10 does.
They all excelled in one area or another, but the sum of the musical spectrum was never like I hear it from this Danish marvel.
I guess, the massive power supply ( supplies really, as it has two entirely seperate for each channel..), and the fact that is just two mono power amps with just a high quality volume control, without any pre amp, makes all the difference.
Also the desighn is such that the signal is fed directly to the relevant parts, without detours and components like relays and other devices that degrade/add their sonic signature.
Of course this means no head phone socket, or remote control but for this kind of sound quality, one can easily forgive this.
The build quality is SUPERB, and the looks smashing, wives love the look of it, and it will fit in any decor.
It's a heavy beast, at 17 kg, and although the width is standard, the depth is more than your average amp. so it needs a rather large and deep stand to sit on.
Last thing, the DM 10 is VERY sensitive to cables and sources.
You have to try many different interconnects to decide which ones suit your taste, and the differences are quite obvious, as this amp. "knows" what it wants!
If you're lucky to find one S.H. grab it, I am afraid though, the people they have one they don't sell it (...on a good thing, stick to it..).
They have become a bit of Classic, a Collectors item.


Product Weakness: Expensive but worth every cent of it.
Not easy to find one..
Product Strengths: Extremely musical, has the canning ability to disappear, so you only listen to the music and not the amp.
Build quality next to none. Heavy, solid, looks the business.
Great looks, not your average square hi fi box.
The music, the music..and the music!


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: valve monoblocks custombuild
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio Research LS 2
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Meridian 505 / 600
Speakers: KEF Reference 103/2
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas, MIT, Madrigal, Monster
Music Used (Genre/Selections): JAZZ Classical, Baroque, Opera
Room Size (LxWxH): 5 mts x 7 mts x 3 mts
Room Comments/Treatments: na
Time Period/Length of Audition: 6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): na
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): na




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Topic - REVIEW: Densen DM-10 Integrated Amplifier (SS) - Gatos 09:56:26 04/29/02 ( 0)